Umphrey's McGee: "The Floor"

Bonus Preview: MJ Medley

2009-07-01T09:46:00Z

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Greetings Friends

Tomorrow we will go live with the latest round of Mantis Bonus material. We apologize for the slight delay delivering this month's tracks, a ham sandwich got stuck in our servers and slowed things down a bit. After Michael Jackson passed away we decided to give away a couple versions of MJ inspired material. But until those downloads are up, we thought we'd stream one of the tracks here for your auditory pleasure (presumably). This medley along with three other tracks will be available tomorrow morning.

This montage was inspired from unplanned and unrehearsed moments throughout the course of last weekend. MJ's tunes just kept popping up so we decided to cut them together and furnish you with a medley of sorts "The Way You Make Me Feel" was inside "Syncopated Strangers" on 06/27, "Smooth Criminal" was inside "August" on 06/25, and "Will You Be There" was during the end of "Partyin' Peeps" on 06/26.

Field Trip

2009-06-27T16:04:00Z

The Buffalo War Memorial Coliseum in its final days. They were demolishing this old classic about 100 yards from our stage.

Definitely the closest we've ever played to a Galveston class guided missile cruiser

See what I mean

Quality after show as a few of us decided on an impromptu field trip to Niagra Falls. Make sure you cross this off your life's to do list...

Canada and her loose slots loom in the distance

Kevin, Wade, Brendan & Jeff around 1:15 am in front of the falls

First Round of Answers to The Pone Zone

2009-06-26T19:00:00Z

Thanks to everyone who has already submitted questions to The Pone Zone. It has been fun to read through all of the submissions -- way too many for me to answer this first go around, so if I didn't reply this time, be sure to stay tuned for future posts.

Keep those questions coming!

- RS

Mike, Granger, Indiana:
Q: hey pony, what are some of your favorite tools (toys) in your pedal board? if you only had one which would it be
A: My tuner! I'm a musician right? So I have to be in tune, ha. No, seriously I would say that the Boss Octave pedal is my favorite. It has two different sounds that i really dig. I like to set the direct all the way off and the oct all the way up to get a deep house bass sound and I like to set both the direct/octave knobs at around one o'clock to get a dirty funk octave sound. A close second would be the Moogerfooger Low-Pass-Filter pedal with an expression pedal controlling the cutoff.

Mitch, Ottawa, Illinois
Q: I was just wondering if you still had the RaTT tail growing man. RaTT N Roll!!!!
A: I do still have a rattail and I plan on keeping it until football season where it will be braided and adorned with black and gold beads. Although I have rocked the mullet, a spike, a blue mohawk, too many bad bleachings, and even shaved lines circa 1986, I have never paid homage to the rattail. Plus I made a bet that I would grow it four inches for a hundred bucks. However, I have grown quite found of it and I am thinking of naming it as well. Have a nice day!

Pete, St. John, Indiana
Q: Does Kris Myers ever give private drum lessons when Umphrey's is off the road at home in Chicago?
A: Why yes he does, and he is planning on giving lessons in August in Chicago for a very fair price! He takes credit cards, personal checks, sexual favors, and of course cash!

Greg, Athens, Georgia
Q: I was curious about the picture of a Rickenbacker bass in the Mantis booklet, then Jake mentioned it at the Summercamp workshop. He said that it's his and that you've used it on a few albums. Which songs? Any chance of busting it out live? Thanks.
A: It is Jake's. It is 4001 Rickenbacker from 1984. Sick tones and a delight to play. I used it on over 90% of Mantis. I think Turn and Run and Mantis were the only tracks that I used the blue Lakland. I am pretty used to playing a 5-string bass and the Rickenbacker is more of a studio bass that we record with and is primarily used on all of Jake's demos.

Greg, Rockford, Illinois
Q: How do you prepare for a show? Do you have any rituals you have to perform or traditions you have to do before going up on stage?
A: I drink a "Pone Loc Special" (secret recipe), take two puffs off a Marlboro Red, do 13 push-ups and rub one out into a Crown Royal bag. Showtime!!!

Andy, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Q: Will Umphrey's McGee ever play G-Song again?
A: No, it is a crew song now.

David, Columbus, Ohio
Q: What is your favorite beer?
A: BUDWEISER

Brad, Muncie, Inidian
Q: Crunchy or Creamy peanutbutter?
A: Crunchy.

Josh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Q: Go Pens. Talked to you at Mountain Jam 5 briefly about the Pens. And we got er done. So here is my question.
I cant find UMphrey's bass tabs anywhere and i am desperately trying to learn a few UM songs. How about a tab or a video tutorial for Mantis, Made to Measure, 1348. Anything. Even a older UM song like Bright Lights, Big City I know you rip a funky bass line on that. Thanks so much Pony. Little things like this is what makes Umphrey's the best band on the planet.
Pittsburgh is the City of Champions.
A: Our friend Kevin Langan has done guitar tabs for us and we spoke last night in Richmond. He is planning on doing some bass tabs in the near future. Some oldies and some new ones from Mantis.

The Way You Make Me Feel

2009-06-26T12:25:00Z

June 25th 2009

I was 9 years old and the first tape that I ever bought was Michael Jackson's "Thriller." I immediately felt a like I was more of a cool kid once I knew the songs. The arrangements, Michael's voice and everything that went with that album just jumped out of the speakers like nothing else I'd ever heard. I still have a tape deck in my car to this day. And the two tapes that get the most play are Led Zeppelin's "Houses of the Holy" and Michael Jackson's "Off the Wall." The timelessness of his music speaks for itself.

-Joel

Crazy to think for a second MJ is gone... Fleeting melodies and images from a greater time come across my brainwaves. They hold dear images that craft the future seemingly like a kung-fu movie that is sped up. Robots wish they could move like this. even if you aren't really into pop culture, you can't help feeling how mortal pop people are. Did it make him volatile??? Probably.

-Jake

The greatest entertainer of all time. Although his life long career as the "King of Pop" took it's toll and never was able to live a "normal" life. I feel a sense of pride that such a musical icon was from Gary, IN, where my Dad grew up. Fun Fact: Before the Jackson Five "blew up" they played at my uncle's prom.

-Andy

I've played MJ's tunes more than 500 times and I'm still not sick of 'em. What a talent, what a loss. Pretty Young Thing repeat after me..

-Kris

I was in disbelief. A myriad of memories shot through my mind. My family gathered around the television to watch Michael's famous moonwalk, putting the Thriller video on repeat on the family disc machine to scare my younger cousins, watching the debut of Black and White, endless dance parties, and bawling to Man In the Mirror vowing to make a change to name a few. What a legend, an icon, truly the "King of Pop". I think I'm going to dust off my vintage Thriller jacket, don a white glove, and remember the great times I had getting down to his music. RIP MJ!!!

-Pone Loc

It's easy to forget how much of a part of your life Michael Jackson was.

How many boring parties did he save? How many times were you singing along in the car or in the shower? How many times did you try one of his dance moves when nobody was looking? Other than Bob Marley and John Lennon, can you think of another musician in recent times that reached across lines of race, gender, age, and nationality? He's been relevant for his entire life, which is more than you can say for just about anybody. His death is a major loss for us all, and one where you definitely will remember where you were when you heard the news.

-BB

Richmond VA

2009-06-26T08:16:00Z

Our day at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens took an unexpected turn as we all learned the shocking & sad news about the king of pop. To say he influenced us all in profound ways would be an understatement as Michael Jackson has been the inspiration for more than a few UM dance parties. We tried to honor his memory with a handful of teases through out the evening including a rendition of Billy Jean for the encore. RIP MJ.

We have played a lot of places that you really don't ever care to see with the lights on. Dank cavernous halls that only really come alive once bodies stream in, lights go down and the show starts. But summer provides the opportunity to play many beautiful outdoor spots that don't need any help masking deficiencies. Yesterday's gig in the middle of an awe inspiring botanical gardens certainly fit that description. As Brendan aptly stated from the stage last night, "It's like we're at Mr. Miyagi's house but he's not home so we can throw a party". I wondered the grounds and snapped a few pics of some inspiring flora & fauna.

This bumblebee searches for nectar for my next jar of lavender honey

Behind the stage, roses as far as the eye can see

A trip through the butterfly sanctuary...

This beauty was striking even with its wings closed

And then she opened them

Unique flowers at every turn

Poised for flight

As Brett Michaels duly noted "Every rose has its thorn"

Dusk

The moon rises over the conservatory

Mad Love Michael

Introducing The Pone Zone (Ask Ryan Questions)

2009-06-24T20:28:00Z

This week marks the launching of The Pone Zone, a bi-monthly question and answer session with me, Ryan Stasik. Feel free to ask me anything and I will post answers to a select few submissions every two weeks on The Floor. Please submit your questions here, http://www.umphreys.com/theponezone.html.

Scroll down to see the new "Divisions" post

2009-06-18T20:25:00Z

(which for some odd reason refused to make its way to the top of the page)

White Sox

2009-06-10T03:18:00Z

The first time we were asked to do the National Anthem at good ol' Comiskey (or US Cellular Field in this day and age), I couldn't be more proud. Having grown up on the South Side of Chicago, and an avid Sox fan, it was a glorious moment for me to see the guys take the field. That feeling just doesn't wear off, and as the guys were performing sound check yesterday while the grounds crew prepared the field for game 2 of a double header, I couldn’t help but feel pretty lucky standing behind home plate. The stands empty, the quiet before the game. The White Sox always make us feel at home when we visit, and although we are a mix of both Cubs fans and Sox fans, everyone had a great time. After the three song acoustic set, the guys took the field for what would be their fifth rendition of the National Anthem at the Cell. And from what all the Sox staff said, it may not only have been the best Anthem on the year, but the best that they could remember. In fact, Sox skipper Ozzie Guillen himself stopped our friend Amy with the Sox after the game, and told her that it was a great anthem. Kudos from Ozzie are a good thing. In addition to putting us in a great suite for the game, we also had a chance to check out the brains of the scoreboard – a massive room filled with a multitude of screens and computers keeping us up to date with game stats, video clips, 3 way pizza races, face stretching, kiss-cam shots, and more visual stimulation. We also had a chance to visit the broadcast booth to say hi to Sox PA announcer Gene Honda, and throw out balls to the crowd during the 7^th inning stretch. What more could a Sox fan ask for? Special thanks to Amy and Brian from the Sox for showing us such a great time!

- Vince Iwinski

Joel opens his mouth in hopes of catching an errant toss by a hot dog vendor

Brendan expresses relief that he remembered to shave

Just like Vince, I too have been a die hard White Sox fan as long as I can remember. Singing the National Anthem anywhere is an honor but at the home of the White Sox is a dream come true. Stepping on to the field that is so finely groomed by the "Sodfather" Roger Bossard always sends chills down my spine. It was so great of the White Sox to accommodate our fans by seating them all together in the same section. It makes me so proud to be a fan of a team that supports local musicians like ourselves. GO WHITE SOX!!!

-Andy Farag

A youthful Andy takes a moment to marvel at the mascots epic tube sox (circa '83?)

A more mature Andy takes a tour of the production booth

Hey, this guy is wearing Andy's jersey

Joel wonders what has become of America's youth

Brendan lovingly mocks Vince's dancing moves as the team performed a mini set and the National Anthem on Monday (note the horrific audio slap back during the anthem - praise the Lord for in-ear monitors)

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Divisions

2009-06-09T08:49:00Z

Cumdog varies from the "standard" version of Divisions in this this clip from the summer camp keyboard workshop. Joel and his buddy Joe both play in mixolydian over the divisions riff that Jake usually solos over.

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(Cubs/Sox split the series one a piece)

Weekend Wrap Up

2009-06-09T08:14:00Z

Deep south for the weekend and there was no mistaking that. Dense spanish moss cloaking a slow winding river, thick red mud, and all the country music you could want provided the back drop for our festival weekend.

Taking a stroll through campgrounds at Wanee Fest in Live Oak, FL

Proteins are essential in one's diet

In good company

Ryan stumbles into the fascinating world of bees as he ventures about the festival grounds

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Working on those early season tans outside the bus Saturday at BamaJam in Enterprise, AL

Only naturally, there was a bikini contest before Kid Rock & Brooks and Dunn. Miss BamaJam is apparently an honor coveted by young ladies throughout the south, we felt we owed them our attention as their dedication was clear.

"I've always admired Gary Allan's music, I love the way he sings those songs about his ex-wife"

We'd personally like to thank the sponsors for donating all the camouflage bikinis to make the this event possible

Cold Bud bottle?

or do you prefer a can?

Swings at Sunset

Robert Randolph takes 'em to church

Time to get to work

Jumbotron

Life's Jimmy Stewarts

2009-06-08T02:06:00Z

Sometimes, things don't happen how you expect them to and you have to go with plan B. We're used to this happening in our live show, but occasionally it happens before you even get to the show.

A few months ago we got word that an offer for Gov't Mule's Mountain Jam would be coming down the pipe. Naturally, I had planned on making a trip down to Jamaica that week/weekend to work out some kinks for my wedding next year. We tried to get make Sunday at the fest happen, but there was only room for us in the lineup on Friday. So I moved my trip up a bit - my fiancee and I departed from O'hare on Monday morning at 6 am, having driven straight from the late night at Summer Camp! I booked my flight coming home for Thursday night and conferred with Don, our tour manager, about the logistics of it all. Seemed pretty simple.....I would land at O'Hare at 8:45 pm, the bus would scoop me up and we would be off to Hunter Mountain.

All was going as planned until I arrived at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay to find that my plane was delayed getting to the airport in Jamaica and my new arrival time was slated as 10:45 pm. Uh oh. I ran back out to my ride and hopped back in the car as they were pulling away, wondering what was going to happen. Fortunately, I was staying close to the airport. I got back to my local residence and immediately called Don. He answered and I let him know the bad news. He informed me there was no way for the band to make load in if my flight was delayed. This is what I feared. Having looked into flights into NYC from Jamaica, I knew there were no options that would get me there that way in time for the show. Don told me that I could get ground transportation (read, a ride in a van) from the airport in Albany if I could get that far. Lo and behold, we found a flight from ORD at 8 am the next day that got me into ALB at noon. We went ahead and booked the flight and I told Don I would sort out the rest of the logistics from there.

Now, back to Chicago. My parents live about 20 minutes from the airport, and I thought to myself, if only they were home tonight I could potentially get a few hours of sleep there. And what do you know, I called up my dad and he said he could get me back and forth to and from O'Hare. So I had a plan. Thanks pops!

After a little more waiting, I headed back to the airport in Montego Bay and waited on my flight. Upon my arrival I noticed the flight had been delayed yet again and was now arriving at 11:07 pm. Ugh. So I did a little duty free shopping, including picking up a book on the history of Jamaica, a travelers guide to Cuba and a Bob Marley "One Love" bib for my friend's newborn. Figured I would need some entertainment for the ride. Did you know that the center of pirate life in the Caribbean was based in Port Royal, just south of Kingston until an earthquake put the city underwater in 1696? Neither did I. Or perhaps that Montego Bay became an established city in just 1981? Interesting stuff.

The flight was rather uneventful, aside from a young Jamaican boy traveling by himself who would ask me questions every 30 minutes or so, my favorite being, "Sir......are you rich?" I laughed out loud and told him, "Not yet." I considered some sort of philosophical answer, but thought better of it ..... "Rich in spirit" was probably my first choice, and undoubtedly would have just confused him.

I finally landed back in the states at 11:45 local time and my dad was there to get me home to their house for some rest. Hung out with mom and dad for about a half hour and then crashed hard for all of 4:30 hours. The 5:45 am wake up call was way too early. But coffee and fruit awaited me in the kitchen and that was enough to get the ball rolling. Dad hustled me back to O'Hare and I was on my way, on time today. This flight was one of those where I woke up hearing "We're beginning our initial descent toward Albany....." Yes! Sleep achieved!

I landed and contacted the runner, who was right there to meet me in the baggage claim - bonus points for excellent organization, Mountain Jam. I hopped into a van and was greeted by some great musicians. This is one of the best parts of festivals.....all of the interesting people and musicians you get to interact with. George Porter Jr., Russell Batiste and Brian Stoltz would be my accomplices from the airport to the fest. I've heard these guys before and they're a fantastic trio, but gettin to ride with them to the fest was a real trip. Everything seemed fairly normal until we saw what appeared to be a roadblock/checkpoint set up by the police in Catskill, NY. As other cars drove by, we were signaled to pull off the road. Oh boy. I was fairly certain we were ok since everyone had just flown, but you never know. As the officer started questioning our runner and he informed them we were musicians on a deadline (PBS' set started at 3 pm), Russell Batiste, a resident of New Orleans, replied to the cop with one of the funnier (but true) lines I've heard in awhile......"Come on man, I'm a hurricane victim!" .... This elicited laughs from George and Brian, who then turned to me and whispered "he's been using that line for 5 years....." And that was all it took.....off we went to Mountain Jam, no search needed.

I arrived on site at 1:30 pm, just 15 minutes after our bus rolled in. I felt like I had just lived out another episode of a 24/Curb Your Enthuiasm life mash up, and I was there. I made it for our set and had plenty of time to enjoy the gorgeous scenery and music of other bands. And if you're wondering, PBS is sick. Nothin like sittin on the side of a mountain and listening to your new friends make great music. Summer and festival season are here...what a wonderful time to be a fan of music.

Back By Popular Demand: More Wrigley Field

2009-06-04T18:32:00Z

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Wrigley Field

2009-06-01T05:36:00Z

I don't care how many time we get to sing the anthem at Wrigley, it will never get old. There's something magical about getting to walk out on to the field and being able to look Sweet Lou in the eyes. It makes me feel like a little kid every time, and I hope we did a good enough job to be invited back. Going into the game the Cubs were 3-0 when we sing for them. Unfortunately, Sean Marshall gave up 5 in the first, so the game was a bitter sweet experience. Baseball is a game of numbers, and 3-1 is still pretty good....but a loss is a loss and all we could do was drink that one away.

We will be doing the anthem at some other ball park next week. I will be wearing Cubs boxers to make it feel right.

Xoxo,

The boys rehearsing "backstage" at Wrigley

The youngin' behind Kris debates whether or not to stick his gum in Myers' hair

The final day in the dugout for the Cubs new Gatorade machine. After lasting a mere two months, it proved no match for the rage of starting pitchers Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano. It's expected to see everyday action in AAA.

"Oh say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave..."

Skipper Lou Pinella applauds after being brought to tears by our stirring rendition of the National Anthem

Mountain Jam

2009-05-30T13:32:00Z

Yesterday landed us in Hunter, NY for Government Mule's "Mountain Jam" festival. A plethora of pics and video for your perusal...

The view from high atop the mountain after a heartbeat raising hike

Zoom

Jake & Joel perched midmountain taking in the view

Brendan's axe takes a nap in his bunk when no one is looking

Warren Haynes sits in on a raucous version of "Can't Ya Hear Me Knockin'"

Post set sky

Warren lets it shine

Clearly our set wore this front row fan out as she peacefully sleeps through Mule's first set

Guess the shadow (tough, I know)

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Jazz Fest Shows Are Up!

2009-05-26T18:21:00Z

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Sorry for the long delay but the wait is over for the recordings of our 2 New Orleans Jazz Fest late night shows. We had a whole host of technical problems with the recordings that weekend but the esteemed Micah Gordon pieced the affair together with operation like precision. Here is a stream of "Smell The Mitten" to temporarily satiate you as you race over to umlive.net and frantically download with uncontrollable excitement. Enjoy a 15% discount when you buy both shows as a small tip of the hat for so patiently waiting.