And by early next week, we meant Friday.
A lot of great submissions this time around so we've included a few honorable mentions below that made the short list. But a hearty congrats to Sarah Schulte who took the prize this week.
Honorable Mentions:
"...little Joel is growing up so fast" - Matt Costa
"Ahh yes... and it will be called Andy Farag and the Umphrey McGees" - Benjamin Hackett
"hello darkness my old friend" - Timothy Gershon
And this submission by Stephen Albertson was way too good not to include. We like you stretching the boundaries as that's how we roll here at Umphrey's McGee. Drive fast and swerve.
And we're back with Caption Contest #2. And how can you go wrong with a picture of our beloved percussionist Andy Farag? You can't, that's the point. Ponder and submit a caption that you think best suits this picture of Andy from the Stew Art event in Burlington VT in November. Many thanks to bstetson for sending us this shot.
We'll vote on a winner and then send you a piece of swag from here at the UM HQ. Email submissions to umphreysblog@gmail.com and let us have it. Please enter "Caption Contest #2" in the subject line. And once agin, if any of you have any pictures that are just screaming for a caption, feel free to submit those as well. Awesome submissions only please. Carry on....
Look for the winner to be announced at the beginning of next week.
And here is your official multimedia recap of the first Stew Art event of 2010 held this past Saturday at The Fillmore in Denver. Good stuff all around. Thanks to Brian Spady for the still shots.
This video contains snippets of technobluegrass > Rastafarian Snooop Dogg > How Ryan Felt When The Steelers Missed The Playoffs > Q&A > Cemetery Walk Part III > Panty Droppin' Pop.
Improv I:
Technobluegrass
Rastafarian Snoop Dogg
Sound Engineer's Worst Nightmare
How Ryan Felt When The Steelers Missed The Playoffs
Sweaty Bunk Love
Mile High
Shirt Too Tight, Even For Joel
Wafuled
Myers Farag Duel
Save the Princess Part II
All Guns Blazin'
Improv II:
Wappy Dingleberry
Conan vs. Leno
Cemetary Walk Part III
Marc Brownstein vs. Jenn Hartswick
Coming In the Back Door
First Umphreys Tour Bus
Iron Maiden Does Devo
Song For Your Mothers
Reaction to Magner Sitting In the Front Row at Holidaze during the Moos
7 Years For Kris
Improv III:
Panty Droppin' Pop
Good Poker
Try to Confuse Jaco
NYE All Over Again
Umphrey's McGeeLand Theme Song
Funky Neil Diamond
1st Song You Will Play When You Headline Red Rocks
Brendan Imitates Jaco Guitar Playing Style
A Song For the 11 Chicks Here!
Joelless in Flagstaff Reprise
Twiser Reprise
How You Feel After Eating At Waffle House
Riders On the Snow Sorm
Acapella
Summercamp Preview
What a year it has been. Today marks the one year anniversary of Mantis and in honor of the occasion we are going to give you more free music because that's, well, that's what we do. These tunes sure have come a long way over the last few years and it's been a thrill to have you along for the ride.
To begin, here is a stream of the Great American > Stewart > Great American from 5/1/2006 in Birmingham, AL. The track starts acoustic, finishes electric, and contains the seed of what became the opening verse sections of the track "Mantis". It's a doozy.
And attached for your free downloading pleasure is this unreleased version of"Made to Measure" from Acoustic Chrismtas 2009. With Jake on keys and Brendan on guitar, this baby is stripped down to the bare bones.
Thank you for all the support and love you've given Mantis and UM over the last year. It's truly the stuff that keeps us going. Keep spreading the word and turning on new ears so we can all take over the world together.
We were without an integral part of the team last night in Flagstaff as Joel was unable to make the show. It provided for a one of a kind evening as wide open improv ruled the night. Keyboards were strewn around the stage and played by Ryan, Jake, & Brendan when inspiration hit. Andy entertained the fans with no shortage of Cummins banter culled from various multi track recordings. Additionally, we had a slew of power issues as the venue just could not handle the onslaught that Waful unleashed upon it. There was nearly 10 minutes of blackout jamming in the first set and we were unfortunately without our Mac III lighting fixtures for most of the night. Regardless, you just make do with what you'v got and RAWK!
Brendan tries his hand at the Micro X during the 2x2 improv
Jake mans the piano during "Made to Measure" (note the cardboard joel head on stage left)
A little something different for you guys this Friday...
Our beloved percussionist Andy and his brother Ryan have been working together creating Hip Hop and R&B tracks for years now, fulfilling there strong passion for making this style of music. "Recess" is the first released track from the album entitled Dum Lazee Lounge presents...Free Lunch by Ryan Farag and emcee Kidd A. Andy laid down percussion on almost all of the tracks. Sauce on the scratches. Look for the album to be released early 2010 and to be available at the merch table at that time as well. Also, look for more projects from Andy and Ryan (Sump Pump Productions) in the near future.
Click on this post to access a free download of "Recess" or stream it here
As Bayliss would say, Happy Friday!
I couldn't resist tacking these absurd pictures on as well. Kids, don't try this at home. These gentlemen are trained Gunsmokers!
Narrowing in on 2010. Yesterday was a l o n g day but a marvelous one at that. Here is the 3rd installment of our New Year's run shorts. Raise a glass and help us ring in the New Year in style.
Thanks again to all of you who tirelessly support all things UM. Every year keeps getting better and all of you help make that a reality for all of us. Mad love...
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3....
One down, Two to go. Last night at the Vic was nothing short of a blast with as enthusiastic a crowd as they come. Old school favorites and variations on the new made for a fun show and the perfect kick off to the 3 night run. Here is your day 2 behind the scenes recap. Also, last night's show is up for download at umlive.net. Come and get it! The Mantis/Snuck extravaganza is worth the price of admission alone.
In addition, here are a few great still shots that photographer and friend Chad Smith took last night. We will have a number of his limited edition prints from the last year available for sale the next two nights at our merchandise area. Stop by and check out his killer work and pick up an autographed frameable print for your wall. They rock.
Who's ready for #2?
So let the hypeatude begin...
Join us on this video tour as the preparations continue for the 2009 New Year's run. Working two venues at once to ensure maximum face melting at both the Vic Theater and Aragon Ballroom. We are thrilled to be ringing in 2010 in the Windy City once again. Hang on to your hats, off we go...
More Q&A with 1st baseman Ryan Stasik
Michelle, Denver, CO
Q: I saw some of the Umphrey's crew at the Phish Red Rocks throw down. How has Phish affected your view of music? Any chance of a Gordon - Stasik throw down?
A: Well, we were blessed to have Mike Gordon come sit in with us during "In the Kitchen", or "Mike's Kitchen" as some have said during my birthday run in Burlington, VT. A very nice man and a badass on the bass, it was an honor to have Mike throw down with team Umphrey's especially on my birthday. So who knows, maybe next time we jam, I will be able to play with him as well. Im just happy he could come up and jam with the guys. He has always been a big influence on me as well as Phish as a whole. Good times.
Mallory, Jackson, TN
Q: If you were a breed of dog, which would you be?
A: An English Bulldog.
Joe, Traverse City, MI
Q: While I've been familiar with Umphrey's for a while, I only recently saw you guys live in Traverse. Would see again. Many, many times. As a University of Michigan graduate, I was immensely disappointed to hear of your band's tight association with Notre Dame...but I think I can overlook that. How the Hell do you play so tightly with the light show going on? I realize that you guys have no need to actually look at your instruments while playing most of the time. However, It seems like the light show would be distracting (or seizure inducing to some) nonetheless.
A: Since both our football teams suck puppy balls, I will withhold any trash talk of Mich/Notre Dame. Sometimes the lights are a bit distracting and it can be difficult for us to maintain eye contact, let alone not have a seizure. This is when we use the force. Remember when Luke couldn't see the little laser shooting ball in Star Wars while training with Obi Wan? It's like that. Fortunately we have been playing together for so long that a few strobes here and there do not phase us. We rather enjoy the instensity of the lights and feel that Jefferson really helps us convey our emotions through his lights.
Jake, Milwaukee, IL
Q: What is your absolute favorite thing to do when you perform live? Like i always seem to notice you make eye contact with fans and kind of concentrate on them...and its almost like you play that next line just for them.
A: I do make a lot of eye contact with several people during the show. I have always fed off the energy and body language of audience members. I have tried to gaze at my shoes and just get lost in the ceiling lights before, but I do not get the same satisfaction as I do by feeding off of people. I think it helps me mold a certain connection to what I am expressing musically. So if you are ever offended by me looking you right in the eye, please don't be, I am a very friendly person looking to go on a musical journey throughout the evening.
David, Columbus, OH
Q: Do you read much on tour? I figure with all the long bus rides you might have some good book recommendations for us all.
A: I just got a Kindle so I can download books from my bunk. Right now Im reading Tom Robbins. I will update you when I start expanding my Kindle library.
Joseph, Rochester, NY
Q (sort of): Alright, so I got this great idea. One of your next "A Day In the Life" segments on the Floor could be "A Day In the Life of an Umphrey's McGee Fan". I'd totally be willing to be the fan that you tape. You guys could come up to my college, hang out, film my normal activities (guitar, school, practicing with my band, partying), all the while capturing the beauty that is Upstate NY during the winter months. This is gold, Pony, pure cinematic GOLD! I'll give you 10% of the profits after it hits the big screen. And then when we win the Emmy for "best cinematic duo", we will be enshrined in the halls of film legends the likes of Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, and Keanu Reeves.
By the way, the show in Rochester you guys just played was off the charts. I was the dude raging out in the front row, right across from Jake. So, thanks for the epic night, brah.
A: Thanks brah! Ill talk to my agent.
Ryan, Miami
Q: Are any of you guys ever worried that R2-D2 may get sick of his position in the band and leave to pursue a solo career?
A: No, he is a well trained r2 unit and his loyalty is unconditional. However, I did just get my Moog Taurus 2 pedals fixed so prepare for some R2D2 noises to make there way back into the sets.
Happy holidays to my friends, fans, and family. Be safe and be kind, keep your questions, rants, and complaints coming, talk to you in the new year. PONEZONE out!!!
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