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On the Cover: Will Umphrey’s McGee Be the Last Jamband Standing?

Whatever Umphrey’s McGee is lacking in rock and roll Gomorrah, they’re more than compensating for it musically. Each of the three shows that the band plays in St. Louis explodes in a different manner. They play some of the most densely composed rock around, changing keys and time signatures with head-spinning finesse. Their “Jazz Odyssey” and “Jimmy Stewart” improvisations—more or less interchangeable titles at this point—can go in any direction whatsoever. And they drop rehearsed or spontaneous covers like bonbons of the gods.

Once known as the band that rehearsed more than any other, Umphrey’s is now a smoothly oiled Transformer of a group, caroming effortlessly between head-banging rawk, syncopated adventures and four-on-the-floor dance grooves.

Umphrey’s unique collective identity was personified most strongly, perhaps, during the second set on December 29. Several minutes into “1348,” Stasik called an off-setlist option for “Dr. Feelgood” into the band’s in-ear monitors. The group switched gears abruptly, diving into the Mötley Crüe hit for a couple of minutes before, just as suddenly—like a small flock of geese in tight formation—returning to the setlist with “Cemetery Walk II.” From the hair-rocking ridiculous to the sublime, John Coltrane’s transcendent “A Love Supreme” bubbled up out of the middle of this mesmerizing instrumental house-beat epilogue to “Cemetery Walk,” the urgent, anxious rocker that followed the show opener “Jazz Odyssey.” As a topper, the group next debuted a new cover of TV on the Radio’s “Second Song.”

Comments

There are 23 comments associated with this post

Larry February 21, 2012, 18:13:17

The band is great and it is worth hanging in there through all the changes. So guys, no matter what, keep on keepin’ on because there is “safety in numbers” and few (if any) can do what you do! See you at the Calvin in Noho soon??

Dan Sparti February 21, 2012, 18:16:49

Isn’t it Umphrey’s 7th time at Bonnaroo?

Noah Turner February 21, 2012, 18:21:35

FYI. Big Wu was the first band to perform and the very first Bonnaroo.

Ster February 21, 2012, 18:28:23

CarrieL February 21, 2012, 18:49:33

Jake lives in Niles, MI btw just north of South Bend, IN

Dan Heimbrock February 21, 2012, 18:55:54

I am proud to say I first discovered this band when my brother Rob was doing their graphics back in early 2000. We booked them for a rained out festival that summer and I have been a fan and friend of the band ever since. They are all great dudes, amazing musicians, and something a lot of “rock stars” can’t really say….they continue to grow their skills and craft night after night. UM is a band that never rests on its laurels, but rather creates new paths to new sounds and new experiences at every single show. They earn their money every night!

SBC Rick February 21, 2012, 22:03:11

No they got it right. Jake does live in South Bend. He grew up in Michigan but lives on the Indiana side now.

jmitherod February 21, 2012, 23:51:39

huge fan when i first saw them back in 02. perhaps my favorite band EVER \mm/

A Jones February 22, 2012, 01:31:50

On top of the world. So happy to be a part of monumental shows!

Britches February 22, 2012, 09:28:20

Not only are they the best Band on the road they have the best Fans in the Biz! UM and the fans have been invited back to every City they play. They made it cool to be in the Midwest again!

tom February 22, 2012, 14:23:15

once Phish fizzles out once and for all (not too long now), UM will claim the title as the supreme band on the scene

billyd February 22, 2012, 15:14:25

this has got some kind of joke. not only do they suck they also totally blow. they have never broken any musical bounderies and looks like they will continue their tradition of being a boring “jam” band. hate hate hate. phishlot bitches

robiscoole February 22, 2012, 16:46:09

Billy you are the joke. UM THE GREATEST BAND IN THE WORLD PERIOD

Trey February 22, 2012, 20:34:40

Hey billyd.. Maybe you should relax a bit and stop hatin on broz… The only person you are offending is your own soul for being so jaded by being so closed minded… And u are probably just one of those dbags tryin to get a rise out of peeps… You should listen to more Umphreys and change your name to Ocean Billyd. :)

grape February 22, 2012, 20:50:23

200 bucks for Farags crash cymbal.

Heath February 23, 2012, 08:35:27

UM is the University of Michigan of South Bend. Come on now, The Golden Dome is overpriced and Catholics really aren’t cool anymore. I Hate Ohio State

steve February 23, 2012, 11:51:16

BIG WU needs to return to national touring.. or just come play NYC a few times.. I F*&()$ing miss that band!!!

Zach February 23, 2012, 18:22:17

\mm/ So glad to see these guys get some recognition. They are everything that is great about music, live music.

Homey G March 1, 2012, 14:46:31

I’ve seen the grateful dead 75 times, phish over 50, WSP 35+, DMB 45+, and UM is by far the best damn thing on the planet. Great songs, with great lyrics. A sense of humor, awesome covers, and the ability to melt your damn face to the floor. If they are within 10 hrs of my home I am there! Cannot wait for UM Bowl III. This brother is going to get his shiznit on! Keep on brothers! Glad to see you get the recognition you deserve.

gratefuldennis March 14, 2012, 21:16:15

“Umphrey’s could also be the last “classic” jamband standing.” Don’t be ridiculous. There are plenty of good jambands of which my favorite in moe. They will be around for a long time. It is my opinion that they are the best band I have ever heard with the exception of the Dead who I first saw in 1966 when LSD was still legal. They have been around for over 20 years and their following continues to grow even without all the media attention and commercialism other bands seemed to be turning to.

Ashwini April 22, 2012, 23:11:27

Whatever you have written is too deep for me to grasp niythnag I can say-Nice research You should send this hypothysis to some religious -knowledable ppl Let them evaluate-I m not qualified to say any thing.

ocean billyd June 20, 2012, 13:45:36

ok, i take it back, i love umph. i was just kidding anyway. they are the best. sorry stasik, your my boy

Craigy P September 2, 2012, 21:52:06

I will be a fan for life.