Umphrey's McGee
Encyclopedia
Umphrey's McGee is an American progressive rock
jam band
based in Chicago
whose music is often referred to as "progressive improvisation", or "improg" (as per a Progressive sampler released by the band in 2009).
Although the band is part of the jam band scene, like Phish
and the Grateful Dead
(with ever-changing setlists, improvisation, two sets per night, open taping policy, etc.), they are much more influenced musically by progressive rock
bands such as King Crimson
, Yes
, Pink Floyd
, Dream Theater
, Frank Zappa
, and early Genesis
, as well as heavy metal
bands such as Iron Maiden
. The band also identifies The Police
, The Beatles
, and Led Zeppelin
as primary influences.. The band has an eclectic style ranging from prog rock, funk, jazz, blues, metal, space rock, and anything else they can think of. Recent shows have seen the band moving into more electronic, house, and dance music territories, influenced by Daft Punk
and Chromeo
, mixed with the progressive rock sound they are known for.
Formed at the University of Notre Dame
in December, 1997 by guitarist
/vocalist Brendan Bayliss
, bassist
Ryan Stasik
, keyboardist
Joel Cummins
, and drummer Mike Mirro, Umphrey's McGee combined members of Tashi Station and Stomper Bob, two Notre Dame rock bands. Early concerts consisted of both originals and cover songs, including Guns N' Roses
' "Patience" and Vince Guaraldi
's Peanuts
theme "Linus and Lucy" as well as songs by Phish, moe., and The Grateful Dead.
In mid-1998, after only 8 months together, the band released their debut album, Greatest Hits Vol. III. The decision to release a studio disc allowed them to more readily book live performances. Though long out of print, this debut album contains songs that remain staples of Umphrey's live sets, such as "Divisions", "Phil's Farm", "FF", and "All in Time".
Shortly after the release of the album, the band added a fifth member, percussionist Andy Farag
. Farag's father became the band's agent, and a second pressing of Greatest Hits Vol. III featured Farag in the album's inner sleeve and credits. By the end of the year, Umphrey's McGee, along with peers Ali Baba's Tahini
, were one of the most popular bands in the South Bend/Notre Dame area. They began performing outside of the area at colleges and house parties, allowing listeners to tape and trade their music freely. In 1998, the band released their first live album, Songs for Older Women
.
Guitarist Jake Cinninger
was added to the band in September 2000. Cinninger brought a heaviness to the Umphrey's sound, as well as a large repertoire of original music, much of which comprised the bulk of the catalog from his previous band, Ali Baba's Tahini
. The band also adopted several songs written by Ali Baba's Tahini frontman Karl Engelmann (who now fronts Asheville-based rock band Mother Vinegar). Shortly after Cinninger's arrival, the band released another live album, One Fat Sucka
, which contained live performances recorded in the summer and fall of 2000.
Jake Cinninger
and Joel Cummins
released solo albums in 2001 and 2002, respectively. At least two songs from each of those albums have made their way into Umphrey's concert repertoire.
June 2002 saw the release of the band's first proper recording, Local Band Does OK
. That summer, the first annual Bonnaroo Music Festival
took place in rural Manchester, Tennessee
, and featured over 30 bands performing in front of nearly 100,000 people. Umphrey's played to their largest audience to date. The band sold more CDs than any other artist on a bill that included Widespread Panic
, Trey Anastasio
, and Norah Jones
.
The band almost ended in late 2002 when drummer Mike Mirro announced he was leaving the band to attend medical school. After hundreds of tapes were reviewed by percussionist Andy Farag
, the band settled on the first one they received, which was from Kick the Cat drummer Kris Myers
.
, recorded in several different studios throughout the Chicago
area. Shortly before the release of the album, the band scored a distribution deal for both Anchor Drops
and Local Band Does OK
, and for the first time, Umphrey's McGee music was available in stores all over the country. The album received rave reviews from several high-profile magazines. Once again, Umphrey's headed to Bonnaroo, playing a coveted late-night spot. The band performed to over 20,000 people, many of whom had never heard the band before. In July, the band was declared by Rolling Stone Magazine to "have become odds-on favorites in the next-Phish
sweepstakes." Also around this time, the UM Live program was started by "Sound Caresser" Kevin Browning. Each night's show would be offered for sale directly after the show. This translated into a partnership with Disc Logic and the band began to offer their shows for sale online as well, a few years later all of the band's shows would be moved to UMLive.net.
Starting in 2005, the band began producing Umphrey's McGee Podcasts, an effort to provide fans with highlights of recent shows. Each podcast is around 75 minutes in length and is released about twice a month, and it has 20,000 listeners.
On April 4, 2006, Umphrey's released their fourth studio effort, Safety In Numbers
. They appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live
alongside Huey Lewis
in support of the new album on May 18, 2006. The band was featured at many of the major U.S. festivals throughout the summer, playing 129 shows before a three-night stand in Chicago
for New Year's Eve. The Bottom Half
, an album of leftover tracks from the Safety in Numbers sessions, was released a year later on April 3, 2007. Near the end of 2006, Umphrey's began a program to provide complimentary tickets to audience tapers in exchange for them distributing the recordings digitally online.
A live double-album titled Live at the Murat
was released on October 16, 2007. The album was recorded over 2 nights at the Egyptian Room in the Murat Centre
in Indianapolis, Indiana
on April 6–7, 2007. It received a 4-star review from Rolling Stone
magazine. The album also won a Jammy for best live album.
Mantis
was released on January 20, 2009. The album concentrated more on the progressive style that was associated with their Anchor Drops album.
The band's latest album, entitled Death By Stereo
, was released September, 13, 2011. The album features a mix of new songs as well as old songs that the band has used in their live rotation for years, such as "Hajimemashite" and "The Floor".
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
jam band
Jam band
-Ambiguity:By the late 1990s use of the term jam band also became ambiguous. An editorial at jamband.com suggested that any band of which a primary band such as Phish has done a cover of be included as jam band. The example was including New York post-punk band Talking Heads after Phish performed...
based in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
whose music is often referred to as "progressive improvisation", or "improg" (as per a Progressive sampler released by the band in 2009).
Although the band is part of the jam band scene, like Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
and the Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
(with ever-changing setlists, improvisation, two sets per night, open taping policy, etc.), they are much more influenced musically by progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
bands such as King Crimson
King Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
, Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
, Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, Dream Theater
Dream Theater
Dream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
, Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
, and early Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
, as well as heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
bands such as Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
. The band also identifies The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
, The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, and Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
as primary influences.. The band has an eclectic style ranging from prog rock, funk, jazz, blues, metal, space rock, and anything else they can think of. Recent shows have seen the band moving into more electronic, house, and dance music territories, influenced by Daft Punk
Daft Punk
Daft Punk are an electronic music duo consisting of French musicians Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter . Daft Punk reached significant popularity in the late 1990s house movement in France and met with continued success in the years following, combining elements of house with synthpop...
and Chromeo
Chromeo
Chromeo is an electrofunk duo formed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 2004.-History:Chromeo is composed of P-Thugg on keyboards, synthesizers, and talk box, and Dave 1 on guitar and lead vocals...
, mixed with the progressive rock sound they are known for.
Early Years (1997-2000)
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
in December, 1997 by guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
/vocalist Brendan Bayliss
Brendan Bayliss
Brendan Bayliss is an American musician, the founder, a lead guitarist alongside fellow guitarist and band member Jake Cinninger, and primary vocalist for progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee. He formed the band in 1997 and took its moniker from the name of a distant relative he met at a wedding...
, bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Ryan Stasik
Ryan Stasik
Ryan Fabec Stasik is the bassist for progressive rock group Umphrey's McGee. Stasik originally hails from the Pittsburgh area, though he grew up in Portage, MI and is now based out of Chicago, IL. He is a founding member of Umphrey's McGee, having played in the group Tashi Station with guitarist...
, keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
Joel Cummins
Joel Cummins
Joel Nathan Cummins is an American musician, and founding member/keyboardist for progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee....
, and drummer Mike Mirro, Umphrey's McGee combined members of Tashi Station and Stomper Bob, two Notre Dame rock bands. Early concerts consisted of both originals and cover songs, including Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
' "Patience" and Vince Guaraldi
Vince Guaraldi
Vincent Anthony "Vince" Guaraldi was an Italian American jazz musician and pianist noted for his innovative compositions and arrangements and for composing music for animated adaptations of the Peanuts comic strip...
's Peanuts
Peanuts
Peanuts is a syndicated daily and Sunday American comic strip written and illustrated by Charles M. Schulz, which ran from October 2, 1950, to February 13, 2000, continuing in reruns afterward...
theme "Linus and Lucy" as well as songs by Phish, moe., and The Grateful Dead.
In mid-1998, after only 8 months together, the band released their debut album, Greatest Hits Vol. III. The decision to release a studio disc allowed them to more readily book live performances. Though long out of print, this debut album contains songs that remain staples of Umphrey's live sets, such as "Divisions", "Phil's Farm", "FF", and "All in Time".
Shortly after the release of the album, the band added a fifth member, percussionist Andy Farag
Andy Farag
Andy Farag is the percussionist for progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee. He was brought into the band by original drummer Mike Mirro in late 1998, shortly after the release of their debut album Greatest Hits Vol. III...
. Farag's father became the band's agent, and a second pressing of Greatest Hits Vol. III featured Farag in the album's inner sleeve and credits. By the end of the year, Umphrey's McGee, along with peers Ali Baba's Tahini
Ali Baba's Tahini
Ali Baba's Tahini is a South Bend, Indiana quartet that incorporates everything from jazz and fusion to rock and avant garde. The band, which formed in 1997, made a name for themselves on the Midwest club circuit and began sharing gigs with an up and coming Umphrey's McGee.The original group...
, were one of the most popular bands in the South Bend/Notre Dame area. They began performing outside of the area at colleges and house parties, allowing listeners to tape and trade their music freely. In 1998, the band released their first live album, Songs for Older Women
Songs for Older Women
Songs for Older Women is the first live album by progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee, recorded over a two-night stand in Indiana in November 1998 and released in 1999. The album was recorded just months after the addition of percussionist Andy Farag...
.
Guitarist Jake Cinninger
Jake Cinninger
Jake Cinninger, born Jacob Alan Cinninger, December 16, 1975 in Niles, Michigan, is an American musician. He has risen to fame as one of two lead guitarists, in the Chicago-based jam band Umphrey's McGee.-History:...
was added to the band in September 2000. Cinninger brought a heaviness to the Umphrey's sound, as well as a large repertoire of original music, much of which comprised the bulk of the catalog from his previous band, Ali Baba's Tahini
Ali Baba's Tahini
Ali Baba's Tahini is a South Bend, Indiana quartet that incorporates everything from jazz and fusion to rock and avant garde. The band, which formed in 1997, made a name for themselves on the Midwest club circuit and began sharing gigs with an up and coming Umphrey's McGee.The original group...
. The band also adopted several songs written by Ali Baba's Tahini frontman Karl Engelmann (who now fronts Asheville-based rock band Mother Vinegar). Shortly after Cinninger's arrival, the band released another live album, One Fat Sucka
One Fat Sucka
One Fat Sucka is the second live album by progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee. It was recorded at various concerts throughout the summer and fall of 2000. Most of the material contains brand new guitarist Jake Cinninger, who joined the band in September 2000. Two songs recorded before Cinninger...
, which contained live performances recorded in the summer and fall of 2000.
| (1997–1998) |
|
|---|---|
| (1998–2000) |
|
| (2000–2002) |
|
| (2003–present) |
|
Full Line-up with Mike Mirro Era (2001-2002)
In 2001, the band began practicing intense improvisational exercises. One of their first productive sessions took place in a hotel in the "Jimmy Stewart Ballroom", prompting the band to call their onstage improvisational excursions "Jimmy Stewart". This form of improvisation differs in approach from the methods utilized by many of their jam band peers.Jake Cinninger
Jake Cinninger
Jake Cinninger, born Jacob Alan Cinninger, December 16, 1975 in Niles, Michigan, is an American musician. He has risen to fame as one of two lead guitarists, in the Chicago-based jam band Umphrey's McGee.-History:...
and Joel Cummins
Joel Cummins
Joel Nathan Cummins is an American musician, and founding member/keyboardist for progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee....
released solo albums in 2001 and 2002, respectively. At least two songs from each of those albums have made their way into Umphrey's concert repertoire.
June 2002 saw the release of the band's first proper recording, Local Band Does OK
Local Band Does OK
Local Band Does OK is Umphrey's McGee's second studio album , and the first studio album to feature Jake Cinninger and Andy Farag. This album also marks the final studio appearance of original drummer Mike Mirro, who has since been replaced by the band's current drummer Kris Myers. The album...
. That summer, the first annual Bonnaroo Music Festival
Bonnaroo Music Festival
The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is an annual four day music festival created and produced by Superfly Productions and AC Entertainment, held at Great Stage Park on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. It hosted its tenth annual event June 9–12, 2011...
took place in rural Manchester, Tennessee
Manchester, Tennessee
Manchester is a city in Coffee County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 10,102 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Coffee County...
, and featured over 30 bands performing in front of nearly 100,000 people. Umphrey's played to their largest audience to date. The band sold more CDs than any other artist on a bill that included Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, keyboardist John "JoJo" Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring...
, Trey Anastasio
Trey Anastasio
Trey Anastasio is an American guitarist, composer, and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish...
, and Norah Jones
Norah Jones
Norah Jones is an American singer-songwriter and occasional actress.In 2002, she launched her solo music career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album Come Away With Me, which was certified a diamond album in 2002, selling over 20 million copies...
.
The band almost ended in late 2002 when drummer Mike Mirro announced he was leaving the band to attend medical school. After hundreds of tapes were reviewed by percussionist Andy Farag
Andy Farag
Andy Farag is the percussionist for progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee. He was brought into the band by original drummer Mike Mirro in late 1998, shortly after the release of their debut album Greatest Hits Vol. III...
, the band settled on the first one they received, which was from Kick the Cat drummer Kris Myers
Kris Myers
Kris Myers, originally from Palatine, Illinois, is an American musician.He is the drummer for the Chicago-based progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee. He joined the band in 2003, replacing original drummer Mike Mirro. He first appeared on disc with Umphrey's McGee on the 2003 live album Local Band...
.
Current Line-up (2003-Present)
In 2004, the band released Anchor DropsAnchor Drops
Anchor Drops is Umphrey's McGee's third studio album , released on June 29, 2004. It is the first studio album to feature drummer Kris Myers. For this album, the band mixed progressive rock with acoustic folk, jam band grooves, heavy metal and electronica...
, recorded in several different studios throughout the Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
area. Shortly before the release of the album, the band scored a distribution deal for both Anchor Drops
Anchor Drops
Anchor Drops is Umphrey's McGee's third studio album , released on June 29, 2004. It is the first studio album to feature drummer Kris Myers. For this album, the band mixed progressive rock with acoustic folk, jam band grooves, heavy metal and electronica...
and Local Band Does OK
Local Band Does OK
Local Band Does OK is Umphrey's McGee's second studio album , and the first studio album to feature Jake Cinninger and Andy Farag. This album also marks the final studio appearance of original drummer Mike Mirro, who has since been replaced by the band's current drummer Kris Myers. The album...
, and for the first time, Umphrey's McGee music was available in stores all over the country. The album received rave reviews from several high-profile magazines. Once again, Umphrey's headed to Bonnaroo, playing a coveted late-night spot. The band performed to over 20,000 people, many of whom had never heard the band before. In July, the band was declared by Rolling Stone Magazine to "have become odds-on favorites in the next-Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
sweepstakes." Also around this time, the UM Live program was started by "Sound Caresser" Kevin Browning. Each night's show would be offered for sale directly after the show. This translated into a partnership with Disc Logic and the band began to offer their shows for sale online as well, a few years later all of the band's shows would be moved to UMLive.net.
Starting in 2005, the band began producing Umphrey's McGee Podcasts, an effort to provide fans with highlights of recent shows. Each podcast is around 75 minutes in length and is released about twice a month, and it has 20,000 listeners.
On April 4, 2006, Umphrey's released their fourth studio effort, Safety In Numbers
Safety In Numbers (Umphrey's McGee Album)
Safety In Numbers is Umphrey's McGee's fourth studio album , released on April 4, 2006. Huey Lewis and Joshua Redman both make appearances. The album contains many slower, acoustic songs and a simpler, stripped down approach with little jamming or progressive rock elements...
. They appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and broadcast on ABC.The nightly hour-long show made its debut on January 26, 2003, following Super Bowl XXXVII. Jimmy Kimmel Live! is produced by Jackhole Productions in association with ABC Studios...
alongside Huey Lewis
Huey Lewis
Huey Lewis is an American musician, songwriter and occasional actor.Lewis sings lead and plays harmonica for his band Huey Lewis and the News, in addition to writing or co-writing many of the band's songs...
in support of the new album on May 18, 2006. The band was featured at many of the major U.S. festivals throughout the summer, playing 129 shows before a three-night stand in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
for New Year's Eve. The Bottom Half
The Bottom Half
The Bottom Half is a double album from progressive rock group Umphrey's McGee recorded during the band's 2005/2006 sessions of their previous studio effort Safety in Numbers. The first disc contains complete songs that were initially left off the Safety in Numbers album, while the second disc...
, an album of leftover tracks from the Safety in Numbers sessions, was released a year later on April 3, 2007. Near the end of 2006, Umphrey's began a program to provide complimentary tickets to audience tapers in exchange for them distributing the recordings digitally online.
A live double-album titled Live at the Murat
Live at the Murat
-Album:-Personnel:*Brendan Bayliss: guitar, vocals*Jake Cinninger: guitar, vocals*Joel Cummins: keyboards, vocals*Ryan Stasik: bass*Kris Myers: drums, vocals*Andy Farag: percussion-References:* Retrieved on September 4, 2007...
was released on October 16, 2007. The album was recorded over 2 nights at the Egyptian Room in the Murat Centre
Murat Centre
The Murat Shrine, now officially known as Old National Centre and originally known as the Murat Temple and Murat Centre, is an entertainment venue in Indianapolis, Indiana, owned by the Murat Shriners of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine...
in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
on April 6–7, 2007. It received a 4-star review from Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine. The album also won a Jammy for best live album.
Mantis
Mantis (album)
- Level 1 :- Level 2 :- Level 3 :- Level 4 :- Level 5 :- Level 6 :- Level 7 :- Level 8 :- Level 9 :The entire set from the 1/19 CD release show at the Vic Theatre is also included in level 9.- Album :- Personnel :...
was released on January 20, 2009. The album concentrated more on the progressive style that was associated with their Anchor Drops album.
The band's latest album, entitled Death By Stereo
Death By Stereo (album)
-Bonus Tracks:...
, was released September, 13, 2011. The album features a mix of new songs as well as old songs that the band has used in their live rotation for years, such as "Hajimemashite" and "The Floor".
Discography
- Greatest Hits Vol. III (1998) (Bayliss/Cummins/Stasik/Mirro)
- Songs for Older WomenSongs for Older WomenSongs for Older Women is the first live album by progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee, recorded over a two-night stand in Indiana in November 1998 and released in 1999. The album was recorded just months after the addition of percussionist Andy Farag...
(1999, recorded live in 1998) (Bayliss/Cummins/Stasik/Mirro/Farag) - One Fat SuckaOne Fat SuckaOne Fat Sucka is the second live album by progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee. It was recorded at various concerts throughout the summer and fall of 2000. Most of the material contains brand new guitarist Jake Cinninger, who joined the band in September 2000. Two songs recorded before Cinninger...
(2000, recorded live) (Bayliss/Cinninger/Cummins/Stasik/Mirro/Farag) - Local Band Does OKLocal Band Does OKLocal Band Does OK is Umphrey's McGee's second studio album , and the first studio album to feature Jake Cinninger and Andy Farag. This album also marks the final studio appearance of original drummer Mike Mirro, who has since been replaced by the band's current drummer Kris Myers. The album...
(2002) (Bayliss/Cinninger/Cummins/Stasik/Mirro/Farag) - Local Band Does OKlahomaLocal Band Does OKlahomaLocal Band Does OKlahoma is the third live album by progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee. It was recorded just months after the addition of drummer Kris Myers. The album features excerpts of a small concert in Oklahoma City in 2003. Because of the low attendance of the concert, the band did not...
(2003, recorded live) (Bayliss/Cinninger/Cummins/Stasik/Myers/Farag) - Anchor DropsAnchor DropsAnchor Drops is Umphrey's McGee's third studio album , released on June 29, 2004. It is the first studio album to feature drummer Kris Myers. For this album, the band mixed progressive rock with acoustic folk, jam band grooves, heavy metal and electronica...
(2004) (Bayliss/Cinninger/Cummins/Stasik/Myers/Farag) - Safety In NumbersSafety In Numbers (Umphrey's McGee Album)Safety In Numbers is Umphrey's McGee's fourth studio album , released on April 4, 2006. Huey Lewis and Joshua Redman both make appearances. The album contains many slower, acoustic songs and a simpler, stripped down approach with little jamming or progressive rock elements...
(2006) (Bayliss/Cinninger/Cummins/Stasik/Myers/Farag) - The Bottom HalfThe Bottom HalfThe Bottom Half is a double album from progressive rock group Umphrey's McGee recorded during the band's 2005/2006 sessions of their previous studio effort Safety in Numbers. The first disc contains complete songs that were initially left off the Safety in Numbers album, while the second disc...
(2007) (Bayliss/Cinninger/Cummins/Stasik/Myers/Farag) - Live at the MuratLive at the Murat-Album:-Personnel:*Brendan Bayliss: guitar, vocals*Jake Cinninger: guitar, vocals*Joel Cummins: keyboards, vocals*Ryan Stasik: bass*Kris Myers: drums, vocals*Andy Farag: percussion-References:* Retrieved on September 4, 2007...
(2007, recorded live) (Bayliss/Cinninger/Cummins/Stasik/Myers/Farag) - Jimmy Stewart 2007Jimmy Stewart 2007Jimmy Stewart 2007 is a double live album by progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee. The album was released on June 17, 2008 and consists of some of the band's best improvisational performances from 2007. "What is Jimmy Stewart?" is a brief explanation of their approach to improvisation...
(2008, recorded live) (Bayliss/Cinninger/Cummins/Stasik/Myers/Farag) - MantisMantis (album)- Level 1 :- Level 2 :- Level 3 :- Level 4 :- Level 5 :- Level 6 :- Level 7 :- Level 8 :- Level 9 :The entire set from the 1/19 CD release show at the Vic Theatre is also included in level 9.- Album :- Personnel :...
(2009) (Bayliss/Cinninger/Cummins/Stasik/Myers/Farag) - Death By StereoDeath By Stereo (album)-Bonus Tracks:...
(2011) (Bayliss/Cinninger/Cummins/Stasik/Myers/Farag)
DVD releases
- Live from the Lake CoastLive from the Lake CoastThe first DVD release from Umphrey's McGee features excerpts from the band's two-night stand at the Skyline Stage in Chicago, on July 26 & 27, 2002. It is the only video to feature original drummer Mike Mirro, who would leave the band at the end of the year....
(2002) - Wrapped Around Chicago - New Year's Eve at The RivieraWrapped Around Chicago - New Year's Eve at The RivieraWrapped Around Chicago - New Year's Eve at the Riviera is the second DVD release from progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee. It features excerpts from the group's New Year's Eve 2004 two-night stand at the Riviera Theater in their homebase of Chicago, Illinois...
(2005) - Soundstage: Umphrey's McGee - LiveSoundstage: Umphrey's McGee - LiveSoundstage: Umphrey's McGee - Live is the third DVD release from progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee. It was recorded during the Summer of 2007 in Chicago, Illinois for the PBS music series Soundstage...
(2009)
External links
- Umphrey's McGee at Rolling StoneRolling StoneRolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
- Umphrey's McGee Live Recordings at Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
- http://www.iclips.net/umphreysmcgee Live Video at iclips.net
- http://blowthescene.com/bands/umphreys-mcgee/umphreys-mcgee-the-electric-factory-philadelphia-1-29-11.html Umphrey's McGee Live Concert Photos from 1.29.2011 at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia