Every Tuesday a group calling itself Grateful Dread plays at Nectar’s. The group is made up of various Island musicians, many of whom can be seen all year long playing in various other bands. But it may be tough to recognize them amidst the trappings of the Dread. They dress like rasta dudes and play a musical mash-up of reggae and Grateful Dead music. It’s not just a brilliant concept. The effect is pure Redemption Song meets Sugaree.

This Tuesday, July 19, the Grateful Dread have invited a special guest to perform with them. His name is David Gans. You don’t want to miss this show.

Mr. Gans hosts the nationally syndicated Grateful Dead radio show and is the author of Playing in the Band: An Oral and Visual Portrait of the Grateful Dead.

But he’s no mere late night radio deejay handy with a pen and computer keyboard. Before turning to music journalism, Mr. Gans was a musician in his own right during the 1970’s. After getting “sidetracked” by journalism he returned to the stage in the mid-1990’s establishing a solo career as well as performing with members of the actual Grateful Dead, the New Riders of the Purple Sage, Ollabelle and now the Grateful Dread.

Doors open at Nectar’s at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 for 21 and older, $15 for 18 to 20 year-olds.

For more information, visit nectarsmv.com.