December 2009 - Posts
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!!!
Another Acoustic Christmas is in the books and what a night it was. A huge thank you to all who came out to support USTORM and spread some holiday cheer. The sold out show raised over $5000 for the USTORM foundation which directly benefits local charities that support music education for children. Per the usual, Brendan and Jake were joined by a smattering guests to help spice it up. Here are a few snippets and bunch of pictures for your sensory pleasure.
The kids from the People's Music School started the show off with arguably the best performance of the night.
Xanadu shows off some brush work during End of the Road
Krojo, edge look alike and drummer for Ali Baba's Tahini, joins the drum party on Resolution
All Smiles
Mike Racky on pedal steel and saw (yes, you can play a saw)
Brendan makes his Mandolonic debut on Zeppelin's Going to California (trademark pending on "mandolonic" so don't even try Colbert)
The always horny Jen Hartswick
Michael Jackson's Human Nature on solo piano. Who knew?
Barry Brown joins in on piano for the finale
Thanks to Brett Saul for the pics!
Well, I suppose we shouldn't have been the least bit surprised but the porn and fart jokes rolled in at an alarming rate. We ultimately opted for this quip from Chase Aldrich. Many thanks for all the submissions and look for more Caption Contests to come.
Happy December all. Because we just love giving stuff away here in the Umphrey's camp, we've got a new contest for you. We are going to start posting the occasional photo and take your submissions for the caption. We'll vote on the winner and then send you a piece of swag from here at the UM HQ. Sound like a plan? Good. (It's very complicated, we know)
Email submissions to umphreysblog@gmail.com and let us have it. Please enter "Caption Contest #1" in the subject line. Additionally, if any of you have any pictures that are just screaming for a caption, feel free to submit those as well. Off we go...
