Umphrey's McGee

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<tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; background-color: #f9f9f9;">Image:Cops.jpg
</td></tr><tr><th>Origin</th><td>South Bend, Indiana</td></tr><tr><th>Country</th><td>Image:Flag of the United States.svg United States</td></tr><tr><th>Years active</th><td>1997–present</td></tr><tr><th>Genres</th><td>Progressive Rock, Jam band</td></tr><tr><th>Members</th><td> Brendan Bayliss (1997-present)
Joel Cummins (1997-present)
Ryan Stasik (1997-present)
Andy Farag (1998-present)
Jake Cinninger (2000-present)
Kris Myers (2003-present)
</td></tr><tr><th>Past members</th><td> Mike Mirro (1997-2002)</td></tr>

Umphrey's McGee

Umphrey's McGee is a progressive rock group from Chicago, Illinois whose music is often referred to as "progressive improvisation." In July 2004, the band was declared by Rolling Stone Magazine to "have become odds-on favorites in the next-Phish sweepstakes."^[1]

Though the band's approach to their live performances has much in common with Phish and the Grateful Dead (ever-changing setlists, constant improvisation, two sets per night, open-taping policy), they are much more influenced musically by progressive rock bands such as Yes, King Crimson, Dream Theater, and Genesis, as well as heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden. The band also "identifies The Beatles, The Monkees, Nick D'Virgilio, and Led Zeppelin as primary influences with a reverence the members describe as 'Biblical.'" ^[2] However, there really isn't a style of popular music that Umphrey's does not cover. Artists covered in concert by Umphrey's range from Lionel Richie to Metallica to Toto to Snoop Dogg.

1 History
2 Discography
3 DVD releases
4 Song Catalog
5 External links
6 References

[edit] History

Formed at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana 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 popular Notre Dame rock bands. Early concerts consisted of both originals and cover songs, including Guns N' Roses's "Patience" and Vince Guaraldi's Peanuts theme "Linus and Lucy."

In mid-1998, after only 8 months together, the band released their debut album complete with a tongue-in-cheek title, Greatest Hits Vol. III. The group decided to record an album immediately because it was easier to get live gigs with an official CD. Long out of print, the album contains many of Umphrey's future concert warhorses, such as "Divisions" 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. By 1999, the band had gained notoriety outside of Indiana, especially with the release of the live album Songs for Older Women, which featured live tracks recorded over a two-night stand in November 1998.

The addition of Jake Cinninger in September 2000 helped bring the band's musical dynamic to a new level. Cinninger, an accomplished guitarist, brought a distinct heaviness to the Umphrey's sound, as well 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.

**Umphrey's McGee Personnel**
(1997-1998)	Brendan Bayliss - guitar, vocals Joel Cummins - keyboards, vocals Ryan Stasik - bass guitar Mike Mirro - drums, vocals
(1998-2000)	Brendan Bayliss - guitar, vocals Joel Cummins - keyboards, vocals Ryan Stasik - bass guitar Mike Mirro - drums, vocals Andy Farag - percussion
(2000-2002)	Brendan Bayliss - guitar, vocals Jake Cinninger - guitar, vocals Joel Cummins - keyboards, vocals Ryan Stasik - bass guitar Mike Mirro - drums, vocals Andy Farag - percussion
(2003-present)	Brendan Bayliss - guitar, vocals Jake Cinninger - guitar, vocals Joel Cummins - keyboards, vocals Ryan Stasik - bass guitar Kris Myers - drums, vocals Andy Farag - percussion

Around 2001, the band began practicing intense improvisational exercises. One of their first productive jam sessions took place in a hotel in the "Jimmy Stewart Ballroom" during the wedding of fan/website designer Jeremy Welsh. Therefore, the band began 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 and has been extensively outlined by "McL" in the "Jimmy Stewart writeup" on the fan message board known as "The Bort" at www.umphreaks.com.

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.

2002 saw the release of the band's first proper recording, Local Band Does OK. That summer, the first annual Bonnaroo Festival took place in rural Manchester, TN, and featured over 30 bands performing in front of nearly 100,000 people. Umphrey's played to their largest audience to date. Surprisingly, 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 Kick the Cat drummer Kris Myers, who has a masters degree in jazz drumming from DePaul University.

In 2004, the band released the critically acclaimed Anchor Drops, 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, but this time they were headlining a late night spot opposite Vida Blue (featuring members of Phish, The Meters, and Aquarium Rescue Unit). The band performed to over 20,000 people, many of whom had never heard the band before.

On April 4th, 2006, Umphrey's released their fourth studio effort, Safety In Numbers. They are 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, they will again play several hometown shows in Chicago to kick off the New Year. The band has announced that in the coming year they will be recording the follow up to SiN, releasing B-Sides from the SiN sessions and touring Europe, Japan, and the U.S.

[edit] Discography

Image:Greatest Hits Volume III.png 1. Greatest Hits Vol. III (1998) (Bayliss/Cummins/Stasik/Mirro)

Image:Songs for Older Women.png 2. Songs for Older Women (1999, recorded live in 1998) (Bayliss/Cummins/Stasik/Mirro/Farag)

Image:B6 1.JPG 3. One Fat Sucka (2000, recorded live) (Bayliss/Cinninger/Cummins/Stasik/Mirro/Farag)

Image:Umphrey's McGee-Local Band Does OK.jpg 4. Local Band Does OK (2002) (Bayliss/Cinninger/Cummins/Stasik/Mirro/Farag)

Image:Local Band Does OKlahoma.png 5. Local Band Does OKlahoma (2003, recorded live) (Bayliss/Cinninger/Cummins/Stasik/Myers/Farag)

Image:Umphrey's McGee-Anchor Drops.jpg 6. Anchor Drops (2004) (Bayliss/Cinninger/Cummins/Stasik/Myers/Farag)

Image:Umphrey's McGee-Safety in Numbers.jpg 7. Safety In Numbers (2006) (Bayliss/Cinninger/Cummins/Stasik/Myers/Farag)

[edit] DVD releases

Image:UmphreysDVD.jpg 1. Live from the Lake Coast (2002)

Image:B000BC8SRY.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg 2. Wrapped Around Chicago - New Year's Eve at the Riviera (2005)

[edit] Song Catalog

Umphrey's McGee has an extensive catalog of originals and covers.

Improvised Pieces (see the *"The Jimmy Stewart Writeup") "Jimmy Stewart"; Jazz Odyssey

Originals #5; ...; 10th Grade; 13 Days; 2nd Self; 2x2; 40's Theme; Ahab; Al's Casa; Ali; All in Time; All Things Ninja; Always Up; Anchor Drops; Andy's Last Beer; Atmosfarag; August; Baby Honey Sugar Darling; Bad Poker; Bass Solo; Believe the Lie; Blue Echo; Bob; Bridgeless; Bullhead City; Dear Lord; Der Bluten Kat; DeWayne; Divisions; Dough Bro; Drums; Duck Butter; Dump City; Eat; End of the Road; Example 1; FF; Front Porch; Front Port; G-Song; Gesture Under a Mitten; Get in the Van; Glory; Going Down to the Swamp; Great American; Hajimemashite; Hangover; Headphones and Snowcones; Higgins; Hours; Hurt Bird Bath; Improv in A Minor; In the Kitchen; In Violation of Yes; Intentions Clear; JaJunk; Jam; Jazz Odyssey; Jimmy Stewart; Jimmy Stewart (w/ lyrics); Jose; Kat's Tune; Kimble; Last Call; Last Man Swerving; Liquid; Mail Package; Mamu; Memories of Home; Mirro Mopdance; Miss Tinkle's Overture; Moogasaurus Rex; Morning Song; Much Obliged; Muff II: The Revenge; Muffburger Sandwich; Mulche's Odyssey; Mullet (Over); Nachos for Two; Nemo; Never Cease to Amaze; Nopener; Nopener (Lounge); Nothing Too Fancy; Ocean Billy; Orfeo; Out of Order; Padgett's Profile; Passing; Pay the Snucka; Percussion Jam; Phil's Farm; Piano Solo; Pick Your Nose; Plunger; Ponchestrada (Part I); Pooh Doggie; Pork Chop Pie; Professor Wormbog; Prowler; Punk; Push the Pig; QBert; Ray's; Raymond; Ringo; Rising Bird; Robot World; Rocker; Roulette; Siddhartha; Skip; Slacker; Slow; Sludge and Death; Smell the Mitten; Sociable Jimmy; Soul Food I; Soul Food II; Space Funk Booty; St. Hubbins Mach 2; Sweetness; The Bottom Half; The Crooked One; The Empire State; The Encore Song; The Fussy Dutchman; The Fuzz; The Haunt; The Other Side of Things; The Pequod; The Triple Wide; The Weight Around; Thin Air; Tribute to the Spinal Shaft; Uncle Wally; Uncommon; Unknown; Utopian Fir; Vibe; Visions of Parin; Walletsworth; Wappy Sprayberry; Water; Weed Rap; White Man's Moccasins; Wife Soup; Women Wine and Song; Words; XRT Christmas jingle

Covers ...And Justice For All; 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover; A Fifth of Beethoven; A Go-Go; A Love Supreme Jam; AC/DC Medley; Africa; Ain't No Fun; Ain't No Sunshine; Ain't too Proud to Beg; All Blues; All Night Long; Also Sprach Zarathustra; Amazing Grace; America the Beautiful; Anarchy in the UK; Another Brick In the Wall; Another Brick in the Wall jam; Ape Man; Auld Lang Syne; Avenue; B. Onion; Baba O'Riley; Baby You're a Rich Man; Babylon II; Back In Black; Bad Is Bad; Ballad of Jimi Hendrix; Band on the Run; Barney Miller theme; Bathtub Gin; Because; Bell Bottom Blues; Big Bottom; Big Heart; Billie Jean; Birthday; Black Sabbath; Black Water; Blue Rondo a la Turk; Bob's Cloud; Born Under a Bad Sign; Brain Damage; Breathe; Bright Lights; Bron-Yr-Aur; Bubblehouse; Bubbles; Burnin' and Lootin'; Burning Down the House; Bust a Move; Can't Find My Way Home; Cantaloupe Island; Cantaloupe Woman; Carol of the Bells; Carry That Weight; Cars, Trucks and Buses; Cat Scratch Fever; Catfish Blues; Celtic Aleiluia; Chameleon; Charlie Brown Christmas Song; Cherub Rock; Chevrolet; Chicago Blues; Chicken; Chitlins Con Carne; Christmas Time Is Here; Church; Cissy Strut; City of Tiny Lights; Cocaine; Comin' In From the Cold; Computer G; Cowboys from Hell; Cripple Creek; Crossroads; Daisy Dukes!; Dear Doctor; Dear Prudence; Debra; Dee; Deez Nuts; Dig A Pony; Digital Buddha; Dio; Dirty Love; Do Do Do Da Da Da; Don't Ask Me No Questions; Don't Do It; Don't Fear the Reaper; Down Under; Dr. Feelgood; Duet; E.T.I.; Eclipse; Ecstasy; Electric Avenue; Eminence Front; Emperor's Theme; Equal Rights; Every Breath You Take; Every Rose Has Its Thorn; Fame; Family Feud Theme; Farther On Down the Road; Father and Son; Fearless; Firebird Suite; Fletch Theme; Flying; Fool in the Rain; Franklin's Tower; Freedom; Friend of the Devil; Funk Medley; Funky Bird; Funky Bitch; Garbage Man; Get Down; Ghostbusters Theme; Gin & Juice; Going Down Slow; Golden Slumbers; Good Morning; Good Ol' Boys; Goodbye Blue Sky; Got Me Wrong; Got Your Milk (Right Here); Great Gig in the Sky; Groove Holmes; Gut Strut; Gz and Hustlas; Hair Band Medley; Halloween Medley; Happy Birthday; Heart and Soul; Hells Bells; Help on the Way; Helter Skelter; Her Majesty; Hey Jude; Hey Nineteen; Hill Street Blues Theme; Hold on Loosely; Home Again; Home Sweet Home; Honky Tonk Women; Hot For Teacher; How Many More Times; Hurtin' House; Hysteria; I Am Hydrogen; I Am the Walrus; I Heard It Through The Grapevine; I Ran; I Want a New Drug; I Want You Back; I'll Take You There; I've Got a Feeling; Immigrant Song; In a Silent Way; In Bloom; In the Flesh; In the Hall of the Mountain King; Inferno Dance; It's About That Time; It's So Easy; Jane Says; Jared; Jessica; Jesus is Just Alright; Jive Talkin'; Joy and Pain; Jump; Just a Friend; Just a Gigolo; KaBump; Kashmir; Kielbasa Sausage; Kinky Reggae; Kiss Me Deadly; La Di Da Di; LA Woman; Lady; Last Train Home; Late in the Evening; Launchpad; Layla; Led Zeppelin Medley; Lenny; Let Me Go Home, Whiskey; Lets Get it On; Licking Stick; Linus and Lucy; Little Wing; Lively Up Yourself; Lochs of Dread; Louisiana 1927; Luckenbach, Texas; M.C. Escher; Machine Gun; Make Me; Making Flippy Floppy; Mama I'm Comin' Home; Maple Leaf Rag; March of the S.O.D.; Marquee Moon; Mean Mr. Mustard; Mediterranean Sundance; Meeting In The Aisle; Memphis Underground; Mercedes Benz; Mike's Song; Miles Beyond; Miss Gradenko; Moby Dick; moe. switch; My Favorite Things; My Philosophy; Nebraska; Night Moves; Night Time is the Right Time; No More Tears; No Ordinary Love; No Quarter; Norwegian Wood; Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang; Oh What A World; Olympics theme; Ophelia; Otis; Over the Hills and Far Away; Panama; Pantera Song; Paradise City; Partyin' Peeps; Pathetique; Patience; Pearl Necklace; Peter Gunn Theme; Philosophy; Pick Up the Pieces; Pipeline; Play This; Polythene Pam; Pour Some Sugar on Me; POW; Power to Love; Rainbow Country; Rastaman Chant; Rebubula; Red; Red Baron; Regulate; Release; Resolution; Rhiannon; Rift; Ring of Fire; Roadhouse Blues; Rock and Roll Part II; Rock N Roll Ain't Noise Pollution; Rondo Alla Turka; Root Beer Rag; Rosanna; Roses; Run Like An Antelope; Run Like Hell; Runnin' With the Devil; Running with the Devil; Safety Dance; Salamander Strut; San Francisco Bay; Scenes from an Italian Restaurant; Se A Cabo; Seek and Destroy; Senor Mouse; Seven Bridges Road; Sex Farm; She Came in Through the Bathroom Window; She Caught the Katy; Shenandoah; Shine on You Crazy Diamond; Shotgun; Signed Sealed, Delivered; Sister Christian; Sledgehammer; Sliding Down; Slipknot; Smurfs Theme; So What?; Solfegietto; Something; Spain; Ssh Peaceful; Star Spangled Banner; Stir It Up; Stomping Grounds; Stonehenge; Stop; Stranglehold; Strolling a Suspension Bridge; Sun King; Superstition; Sweet Child O' Mine; Sweet Home Alabama; Syncopated Strangers; Take Me Out; Take Me Out to the Ballgame; Tell Me Something Good; Ten Years Gone; Thank You; That's the Way; That's What Love Will Make You Do; The Emperor; The End; The Girl is Mine; The Rain Song; The Skunk the Goose and the Fly; The Song Remains the Same; The Stranger; The Weight; This One Goes to Eleven; Thunderstruck; Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor; Tomorrow Never Knows; Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight; Track Meet; Trenchtown Rock; Turn In Difference; Two of Us; Uptight; Voulez Vous; Wabash; Waiting Room; Walk the Plank; Walk the Proud Land; Walking On the Moon; Wanna Be Starting Something; War Pigs; Waterfalls; We're Going to War; Weapons of Mass Destruction; Weekapaug Groove; Well You Needn't; Werewolves of London; What's Goin On; When the World Is Running Down; Whiskey River; White Wedding; Who Knows; Whole Lotta Love; Wild Brumby; Wild Side; Willie the Pimp; Winston Built a Bridge; Wish You Were Here; Xxplosive; Yesca; You Can't Blame the Youth; You Gotta Move; You Never Give Me Your Money; Young Lust; Youth of the World; YYZ