September 2008 - Posts
We knew the day would be eventful, we just didn't know to what extent. A nearby hurricane bearing down, the storied rivalry of Notre Dame vs. Michigan, and our first appearance at the Harvest Music Festival guaranteed an interesting Saturday.
The remnants of Hurricane Ike were slowing moving their way northeast from the Texas coastline as an early morning load in commenced at Mulberry Mountain. It was business as usual for an outdoor festival, hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Lighting, soundboards, and backline gear were all set up, thoroughly tarped and covered. Then we settled in to see what Mother Nature had in store for us.
Meanwhile a handful of us ventured off to a nearby trailhead to try and find a local swimming hole and 60 ft. waterfall. No luck with the latter but the former proved successful for Joel, Jake, Brendan and I. A refreshing dip in the cool spring-fed waters managed to temporarily relieve the sweltering humidity.
Jake throwing water at you near the swimming hole
Upon returning from our hike we were greeted with the glorious smells of Andy's Smokey Joe grill. The grill master was cooking up spicy Italian sausages accompanied by crystal hot sauce infused grilled onions. On a serious note, if you ever have the opportunity to eat Andy Farag's BBQ, do not miss out. The sausages were a perfect prelude to the victory that lurked around the corner.
The Grill Master and Wade prep the tailgate. Andy begins seasoning the onions while Wade inspects the spatula for any imperfections that could prove detrimental to grilling.
Despite a less than stellar showing by the Irish last weekend, we all had high hopes for the Michigan showdown. It was an auspicious beginning for the Irish as they went up 14-0 a mere 4:00 minutes in. Coach Weis didn't fair quite as well as he suffered a torn MCL and ACL after being plowed over on the sidelines. We all concurred that he would have gladly accepted the injury for the 35-17 pouncing the Irish delivered the Wolverines. The mood was jovial but as the skies grew darker, the reality of what was to come began to set in.
The inevitability of a crushing storm was all too apparent as we contemplated our options. After deducing that there was no chance we'd be able to pull of our show on the main stage, it was decided our best option would to try a scaled down gig in the late night tent. There was no logistical way to get our gear from one stage to the other so we loaded the practice gear into a pickup and sped over to the tent. With the exception of a few in-store performances, we had never attempted a "real" show using the pint sized amps and mini drum kits available to us. This was going to be humorous.
Our typical setup includes 40+ channels of instruments and microphones coming from the stage. Last night we rocked 14. The guys managed to pull off what I thought was a pretty stellar performance despite the fact that they really couldn't hear much of what was going on. We had a total of 3 functioning stage monitors (remember there are 6 guys up there) and limited tonal capacities. It was quite reminiscent of late 90's Umphrey's.
The view of from the sounboard via the high resolution camera that is the iphone
In the meanwhile, as the band began playing in the tent, our tireless crew was hard at work tearing down our full setup in the driving rain over on the main stage. Sheets of rain tore across the open fields and pummeled the stage. Bob, Robbie & Wade literally had to work underneath the tarps to ensure nothing got destroyed as they waited for periodic breaks (read 20 mph winds instead of 40 mph) in the weather. In the history of UM load outs, this probably takes the cake as the proverbial "worst ever".
Back in tentville, set highlights included the Front Porch opener with Jake on drums. The band thought it would be funny if they started without telling Kris, as he was still making his way back from the restroom. And it was. Kris proceeded to walk directly to Jake's vocal mic and entertain the wet patrons with some vocal improv of his own. Bill McKay from Leftover Salmon sat in on keys for an impromptu rendition of Sly and the Family Stone's "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)". Rain Song to finish seemed appropriate as the heavens remained parted and the tent continued to flood.
We learned this morning that at 4:30 am the tent we played under was ripped from the ground by 75 mph winds and blown away. In fact, every tent on site couldn't stand up to Ike's wrath and destruction ruled the early morning. All in all we felt fortunate that we are able to at get our show in regardless of the absurdities of the day. Thanks to all of you who braved the rained with us. Never a dull moment I tell you...
(Hopefully there will be some better pictures floating around out there for your viewing pleasure. The hectic nature of our evening didn't lend itself to much quality photography on our end.)
Andy Farag describes his Saturday to the masses
ND vs. San Diego St. last saturday
This ditty is a good example of what goes on behind the creating process of possible UM tunes. At my home in South Bend we have 16-tracks of ADAT recording and the old live mixing console the band used live during 1999-2002. The process is fairly simple how I go about getting my ideas to tape. The 1st draft ends up in my (chicken scratch) short hand, usually constructed on guitar or piano, then put down on paper. 2nd, if I find the proper tempo and lay a click track to tape, this is my guideline for keeping everything together. 3rd, add scratch guitar to layout the form of the song to the click. By now I can lay down drums because all of the little twists and turns I can react to from the scratch guitar. The solid take of the drums starts the process all over, bass, guitars, keys, vox, etc. follow. It usually takes me about 2 days to get the final takes and the sweet stuff finalized. Then mix down & serve chilled....
Chicken scratch
While that title may lead your mind to thoughts of impropriety, rest easy knowing the fantasy in question here is one regarding football. Wednesday night we were en route to Austin, TX and while album discussion ruled the day, there's always time for a fantasy football trade, even if it takes place in Kris's bunk at 70 mph heading south on 55.
My first Moog arrived at the Val Air Ballroom in central Iowa in 2005, as I had just been invited to become a part of the Moog family. I felt like running out onto the stage and doing my best Howard Dean “Hee-yeeeaaaaah!!!!!” impression. Having spent some time with Jake’s Moog Taurus II pedals I knew a bit about what a Moog keyboard could do for us, and once I dug into it, I understood perfectly why preserving and continuing Robert Moog’s vision is so crucial.
First things first, Bob Moog’s last name rhymes with rogue, not coug’. He was an engineer, a toolmaker for musicians but different from most engineers in that he had so much heart and spirit infused into his ideas. Moog started his company by producing the Theremin, which he did as early as 1949. The Theremin is known as the first real source of electronic music.
A classic theremin twist on a childhood staple:
While developing new technologies, and his patent list is impressive, his company produced the Minimoog D synthesizer, a monophonic instrument that delivered its tone via voltage. The tones are created in the same way today, voltage passing through a number of oscillators, filters and other optional onboard effects, with the voltage increasing a volt at a time for each octave. There have been many variations on the original since it was issued, and the Minimoog Voyager is currently the apex of the Moog synthesizer catalog: it is an amazing innovation of both analog and digital technology. The analog components preserve the richness of the tones while the digital interface allows for many advantages technology has to offer. The digital interface offers over 750 different sounds created by other notable Moog keyboardists. The musician can then manipulate sounds, or start from scratch with a non-preset sound. The Voyager also features an X/Y touch pad, where the user can assign parameters from a multitude of choices. The instrument provides for a truly wide array of sonic beds from which you can create and manipulate sounds both live and in the studio. I think it’s safe to say that the Minimoog Voyager and Jake’s (and now Ryan’s) Moog Taurus II pedals have found their home as part of the Umphrey’s McGee sound. For me, playing and experimenting with the instrument at every show is the best way I’ve found to honor the legacy of such a great man and inventor*.
The Taurus II:
Bach Rach:
Although Bob passed away in the summer of 2005, those at the helm of his company have remained stalwart advocates of his vision and spirit. It was in this spirit that they created the Bob Moog Foundation. The foundation’s goals are to encourage creative innovation, scholarship, the continued development of electronic music and finally, to build a Bob Moog Museum where people can connect with his life work.
Umphrey’s McGee has the honor of headlining this year’s MoogFest in New York City on Monday, October 13th, the proceeds of which will benefit the Bob Moog Foundation. We will be joined by the Eric McFadden Trio, Bernie Worrell (P-funk, Talking Heads), and Prison Shank, a band composed of Aron Magner (The Disco Biscuits), Jamie Shields (New Deal), Ryan Stasik (no vocals) and Sir Joe Russo. Join us for what will undoubtedly be a night of memorable music. You can contribute to Bob’s legacy by attending MoogFest, tickets available through
Ticketmaster.com. If you can’t attend the concert, you can also donate directly by visiting
www.moogfoundation.org.
Looking back to the beginning of our relationship with Moog, it all started when I saw a friend’s band in South Bend with these crazy sounding pedals. As it turns out, that friend is Jake, and he had worked out a trade of a DAT recorder for the Moog Taurus II pedals in the early days of Ali Baba’s Tahini. We’ve often laughed about how it must have been one of the ultimate analog-for-digital deals to ever go down. On many of the Umphrey’s McGee recordings from 2000 – 2003, you can hear Jake playing the Moog Taurus II pedals. Ryan also occasionally plays with them now, and has for a few years. Unfortunately Jake’s pedals have been beaten up by years on the road, and are no longer road worthy. Fortunately, we’ve found that they function better as a studio tool.
It was sometime in 2003 when we were first invited to come check out the Moog headquarters and factory outside of Asheville, North Carolilna.After walking through Bob Moog’s playground, I could see that everyone on the Moog team loved what they were creating. As we were touring the facility at an early hour, our friend Lee Gentry offered us coffee. I poured myself a cup into a coffee mug I grabbed from the cabinet, upon which Lee remarked, “Oh wow….you chose Bob’s mug. Please don’t break it. He’ll kill me.” While I never got to meet Bob, I can certainly say that it was a pretty special occasion to drink coffee out of his mug. Thanks for the tremendous sounds, ideas and the caffeine, Bob. You’re still the man.
*He also created the very first keytar. We’ve jokingly renamed it the git – board to freshen up its image. But when we pitch our idea for “Keytar Hero,” we’ve gotta go back to the original nomenclature AND make sure its fully stocked with the best Moog sounds.
Colorado has a myriad of options when it comes to outdoor activities. So I decided to "cross another one off the list" when I flew out to Colorado to give fly-fishing a whirl. The Gilznfinz crew (Adam, Chris, and Brooks) were nice enough to take Vince and I as well as a few other close friends fly-fishing in the Roaring Fork river and to Kevin (Tatonka) Costner's ranch this weekend before our Red Rocks/Fox shows this past weekend. Strapped up in our waders, we entered the freezing cold waters of the Roaring Fork and spent a peaceful afternoon ripping lips and learning the art of fly-fishing. I was lucky enough to catch my first fish, an 18 inch rainbow trout! I hooked another large trout but he "spooled me", took my line about ninety feet down the fast currents until my line broke off. It's hard to describe the tranquility of being waist deep in the river, listening to the sound of the rushing water, watching the birds hover, the sun tanning us from above, quite epic.
We were very fortunate enough to be invited to Mr. Costner's ranch for some more fishing on Saturday after two nights of Widespread Panic at The Aspen/Snowmass Jazz Fest. (Two rockin shows by the way) Upon arriving to Robin Hood's ranch, we saw him playing basesball on his very own field of dreams. Needless to say the ranch was breathtaking, flowing brooks, a couple ponds loaded with delicious fish, a baseball field, and acres of glorious Colorado woodlands.
Adam from Gilznfinz cooked up a few fresh catches stuffed with herbs and spices. DELICIOUS! A perfect pre-show activity before rocking Red Rocks! Can't wait for the next fishing adventure. Many thanks to the Gilznfinz peeps and the fishing guides from Aspen.
Fresh trout from Kevin Costner's ranch
cooked by Captain Adam Vincent from Gilznfinz!
18-inch rainbow trout, first fly fishing catch
for Pone Loc in the Roaring Fork river in Colorado
A fishing pond full of trout on Kevin Costner's ranch
Hola from St. Pat's Park! If you haven't seen this venue, I highly recommend a trip. This 100 year old barn converted into a beautiful concert venue is one of a kind. Set II is about to get under way but here's "Waist Down" from set I for your enjoyment.
Kris forgets he's not on Queen tour circa '82 as circles the drum kit in boxers.
Ryan is perplexed at the mixed messages of this fridge.
"Please help yourself to cold beverages" or "Stop! Items in this cooler have been purchased for the performers only"
Colorado has always been good to us, but this past weekend Colorado was really good to us. Playing Red Rocks was always a goal for the band, and we have been blessed to play there now four times. There really is nothing like the view from the stage - I wish I could express it in words - but just imagine the coolest thing in the world, and that's kind of what it's like. A big thanks to Gov't Mule (perhaps the nicest band/crew on the planet) for letting us tag along on sunday night.
We played the Fox on monday, attempting our first full acoustic show ever in our 10 1/2 year career together. I was a little anxious because it's kind of out of the box for us (and there were no pedals to hide behind), but the crowd really let us relax and get comfortable. So did Pony's wet bar. (Oh, and it always helps when they spell your name right on the marquee). I hope everyone there had a good time, cause I know we did. It was a small reunion of sorts with some of the STS9 guys there....props to Murph for another solid sit in.
To everyone there on monday, thanks for letting us get loose and rustic....after seeing the other guys reactions backstage afterwards, I can't imagine that this will be the last time we ever do an all acoustic show. The sing along vibe really comes out when the beers are flowing and Bob Seger is in the encore slot.
So thanks again, Colorado. We'll be seeing you in early 2009. Plugged in, of course.
The view from stage as captured by my iphone
Greetings from the soundboard during setbreak at the always outstanding Fox Theater in Boulder, CO. Here's a little ditty from set one for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!
(click on post title to access download)
The microphone trunk enjoys the aromatics of the alley behind the Fox
