Animal Collective Becomes First Band to Attain Grateful Dead Sample Rights

Over the years, Animal Collective has gotten plenty of attention and respect from critics and fans alike for being a pretty awesome jam band. But if the group's members had any worries as to whether or not they had really "made it," they should consider their apprehensions quelled. The band recently became the first one licensed to use a Grateful Dead sample in a song. 

The track, "What Would I Want Sky," is currently unreleased (but still found easily enough on the interwebs) and samples the Dead's "Unbroken Chain." And though Dead bassist Phil Lesh reportedly loves the track, its future is unclear. In an interview with A.V. Club, Animal Collective discussed the possibility of releasing Brother Sport EP at the end of the year and debuting the song there. But regardless of if, when or where the song makes its official debut, Animal Collective will still be able to add "first band to win over the Dead" to its already-impressive résumé.