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All Things Synthwave: An Interview with Doom Flamingo's Ross Bogan February 14, 2019 15:47

Photo by Nicholas Lintz

Interview by Jordan Kirkland

It's not everyday that you're introduced to an entirely new genre of music. Upon hearing of a new Charleston-based band called Doom Flamingo, I had no idea what to expect. It wasn't long before I learned of Ryan Stasik's (Umphrey's McGee) involvement, as well as some serious Charleston musicians, including keyboardist / synth master Ross Bogan. After hearing Doom's first few releases and getting my first taste of synthwave, I sat down with Ross to learn a little more about the overall vision for this project. Check out the full conversation below, and see below for details on the Doom Flamingo's free live stream from Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday, February 16th via The Relix Channel!

Let's start off with the original idea for Doom Flamingo. What sparked the original idea? How did you guys bring it to life?

Ross: Ryan (Stasik) moved to Charleston a few years ago, as did Vince (Iwinski), who is Umphrey's McGee's manager. Umphrey's was playing a show here that Friends With Benefits, who our manager (Hank Wharton) was putting on. Ryan reached out about putting together a group of local musicians for an afterparty. He and Brendan Bayliss (Umphrey's) have another band, Omega Moos, that couldn't make it. Hank reached out to me with a few ideas for potential band members. I was driving back from Grand Canyon with Amy, my girlfriend. We were driving the van cross country. I remember getting the text and being blown away. Stasik wants to start a band. Amy looked at me and said, "Don't get in a wreck."

I had been listening to a lot of Synthwave at the time. My friend Jon Black had been sending me playlists. I really fell in love with that music, so I pitched the idea to Ryan and Mike (Quinn), and they were on board immediately. Within about thirty minutes, I think we had figured out the concept of the band and the name, Doom Flamingo. We were tossing some ridiculous names back and forth. Ryan really liked the idea of using Doom in some fashion. I wasn't so sure about Doom Flamingo initially, but I rolled with it. Afterwords, things were just starting to warm up, and I was noticing flamingos everywhere.

So we embarked on this Synthwave journey, and it was something we really didn't have much experience with. Just from working with each band member in the past, I know that all we need is a set goal for the show. We'll figure out a way to pull it off. Whether it's an Earth Wind & Fire tribute, Black Sabbath tribute, or even re-scoring The Exorcist, we've been able to pull off quite a few concepts. Doom Flamingo encompasses all of our different skills and puts them into one band. Musically, we're sort of all over the place. Several of the guys are deeply rooted in jazz, as well as funk. I've been in the jam and reggae scenes for a while. It's cool that we're going with this concept.

Synthwave is usually coming from one person. It's interesting to approach this music with six people. We took it into the studio to nail down some tracks for the first show (May 31st, 2018). I had a few demos, and we worked on the instrumental parts. Kanika (Moore) came in and already had three songs completely written. She went in the other room and started singing "F-16" with one of the instrumentals. She really blew us away. We were just like, "Holy shit. This has insane potential." We all saw it then and there. Since then, we've been going pretty balls-to-the-wall with it. Constantly sending each other music and ideas.

It's definitely a unique concept. What do you guys hope to accomplish here in year two?

Ross: As far as goals, the idea is to get as many gigs as possible. We're getting into some festivals to be announced soon. There are some other offers on the table, which we're really excited about. When we were first starting, I wondered how much we could actually play around the Umphrey's schedule. How often would Ryan want to play? He's got two young children now. Seeing how stoked he is about it, and how much he pushes us to try new things. It's been a really cool experience.

It's been amazing to watch this band come to life. I remember hearing about this idea last Spring and wondering what would come from it. Once I heard that first recording of "F-16," I think I had the same reaction that you guys did.

Ross: Oh yeah. It's interesting. I've never dabbled in pop music. When I was previously playing with this reggae band, I was making beats and instrumentals. I took that same approach, and once we got in the studio, the tracks really came to life. Kanika's writing really blew me away. I believe this is the first original project that she has recorded with. It's pretty wild to see what a raw talent she is. I've wanted to get this group of musicians together for a while now. We've all played multiple gigs together. To have all of this come together is pretty phenomenal. I'm really excited and want to play as much as possible.

Watch Doom Flamingo performing in Richmond, VA here:

I would imagine so. I'll be honest, I wasn't familiar with synthwave at all prior to this band. For the sake of anyone else who's wondering what the genre is all about, how would you explain the band's take on it?

Ross: I've heard it described as what 80s synthesizer musicians thought music would sound like in the future. It's kind of retro-futuristic. Obviously, the technology has changed since the electronic scene of the early 80s. We have a few more tools to apply to it. While it does have the 80s reference and aesthetic, it also has a futuristic vibe as well. We've been working with this (visual) artist named Iron Skullet. He has a really nice synopsis of what synthwave is on his site (ironskullet.com). He wraps it up pretty nicely, if you're ever looking to learn more about it. It's really interesting. There are so many genres within synthwave. There's darksynth, which is rooted in heavy metal music, but with synthesizers. There's Outrun, which is sort of driving music. There's dreamwave, which is poppier, dreamy synthesizer music.

There's quite a few elements that fall under the umbrella. Most synthwave artists are rooted in one of those styles. We're trying to tackle all of them, while playing with a live band. Obviously, we're all improvisational musicians at our core. We play gigs where we just roll with it for three hours all the time. That comes out in our live show. You've got Ryan's background with Umphrey's McGee... Those guys are some of the craziest improvisational musicians in the game. The way they play together as a band is pretty special. They're unlike any other band I've ever seen.

That's a fact. They're a freakin' machine.

Ross: That's a great description. It's a machine.

You guys have how many shows under your belt at this point?

Ross: We just did our sixth show in Richmond.

How is the calendar shaping up the band? I know there are some nice opportunities with Umphrey's afterparties. Is there a specific game plan or forecast that you guys have in mind?

Ross: Right now, we have shows around Umphrey's schedule in New York City at Brooklyn Bowl, Nashville at Mercy Lounge, Denver at Cervantes' Masterpiece, and more in the works. We also headline French Broad River Festival outside of Asheville in May, and have more festivals soon to announce... We're trying to hit as many of the major markets as we can. We're going full speed ahead and hope to make it as big as we possibly can. There are big hopes and aspirations for Doom. Seeing the feedback after having 600+ people at a show, it's been pretty mind blowing for all of us.

The way people have been receiving us has been crazy. There's so much that you can do with this concept. I've seen people dressed in Doom Flamingo costumes. It's pretty cool. We have this comic book coming out as well. We just got the script from our buddy Jordan Noir, who we met on Instagram. We're really excited about that. The more the comic grows, I believe we can incorporate more musical characters from other bands and friends. It's such a conceptual thing. There's really no limit to it, as far as creativity is concerned.

You've been releasing the originals as singles thus far. Is that the formula the the band plans to stick with?

Ross: The reason we've been releasing singles is so we could get some initial material out there. Something for people to actually listen to. We had shows in place, and I think people were wondering, "What is this?" We wanted to get some material out there as quickly as possible. I think the single is definitely becoming more common, with people's attention spans dwindling in the music scene. Creatively, we do want to release a full album. Right now, we have an EP in the works which should show more of the overall vision.

Umphrey's McGee and Spafford Deliver Sold-Out Sunday Special August 13, 2018 16:20

Photos by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography

Words by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

While Sunday afternoon would see heavy rains roll through early on, the skies would clear just in time for a rock show that Birmingham will be talking about for some time. Jam veterans Umphrey's McGee always bring a special show to The Magic City, but there was a notable buzz surrounding this particular date. The opening gig for Umphrey's has been a highly coveted spot for years, and I'm not sure that role has ever been filled by a hotter band than Spafford. These two seem like a match made in 'jam band heaven', and Sunday night's sold-out show at Avondale Brewing Company was everything we could have hoped for.

Spafford has quickly become one of the hottest rising acts in the jam/festival scene, and the showing of fans for this early 5:30 PM set was a direct indication. This would be just my third opportunity to catch these guys, with the first two coming earlier this year at SweetWater 420 Festival. The band came out firing with an 18-minute "Windmill" to open the set, showcasing their brilliant approach towards improvisation early on. Next up was the beautifully melodic "Slip and Squander," one of my favorites from the band's latest release For Amusement Only. This one captures the essence of keyboardist's Andrew "Red" Johnson's vocals as well as any tune in the bands arsenal. Heavy jams within "Lovesick Melody" and "Soil" would round out one of the stronger 45-minute sets of music I can remember. While we were all hungry for Umphrey's, Spafford left one hell of a mark on Birmingham. We'll all be anxiously awaiting their return, which will undoubtedly be a hot ticket.

Umphrey's took the stage shortly after to the first sold-out crowd that I've witnessed in quite a few shows at the brewery. This was a night that featured a heavy dosage of UM staples, starting off with a rocking "August." The set continued with "Day Nurse" > "The Linear," only to be followed by one of my all-time favorites, "Mantis." I can't help but throw my hands up in celebration when the chorus for that one comes around. The jam would ultimately segue into "Draconian" and one of the band's newest tracks, "Forks," would follow. Frontman Brendan Bayliss then called on "local up-and-comer" Taylor Hicks for the band's debut of Dobie Gray's "Drift Away" to close out the set. If anyone hadn't been singing along by this point in the night, they surely chimed in for this moment. Video footage from "Mantis" and "Drift Away" can be found below.

Speaking of all-time favorites, the second set was about as strong as a long-time Umphrey's fan could ask for. "Ringo" lit a fire in the rowdy Birmingham crowd and a massive "Cemetery Walk" > "Cemetery Walk II" made for a super funky, electro dance party. Keyboardist Joel Cummins would continue to shine as he led the way into "2 x 2," another UM ballad which just resonates with a beautiful, peaceful vibe. "Bridgeless" provided some of the evening's heavier moments, as it tends to do, before a nice segue into "Seasons," a newer tune from the band's recent surprise album it's you. "Seasons" ultimately led back into the unfinished "Mantis" from earlier in the night, which made for an emphatic end to the second set.

The encore would point the spotlight on Cummins yet again as he sparked the intro and led the way through "Kimble." Just when I was thinking we might get another big cover to close out the night, the band ripped back into "Bridgeless" and finished in appropriately raging fashion. It had been about a year since my last non-festival, two-set Umphrey's show, and this was just what the doctor ordered. This band operates like a well-oiled machine, and they continue to raise the bar like very few have ever been capable of doing. We'll be anxiously awaiting their return, and speaking of which, would it be too much to ask for a two-night run in Alabama? You know what they say...you can't get a hit unless you swing the bat.

Spafford - Birmingham, AL - 08.12.18

Set: Windmill, Slip and Squander, Lovesick Melody > Soil

Umphrey's McGee - Birmingham, AL - 08.12.18

Set 1: August, Day Nurse > The Linear, Mantis > Draconian, Forks, Drift Away[1]

Set 2: Ringo, Cemetery Walk > Cemetery Walk II, 2x2, Bridgeless > Seasons > Mantis

Encore: Kimble > Bridgeless

Notes: [1] debut, Dobie Gray; with Taylor Hicks

Watch a clip of Spafford performing "Soil" here:

Watch a clip of Umphrey's McGee performing "Mantis" here:

Watch a clip of Umphrey's peforming "Drift Away" with Taylor Hicks here:

Umphrey's McGee Reveals New Year's Plans in Atlanta July 23, 2018 10:21

Photo by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography.

Progressive jam rockers Umphrey's McGee have confirmed their new years plans, which include a four-night run at The Tabernacle in Atlanta. The news was confirmed earlier this morning via the band's social media outlets. The run kicks off on Friday, December 28th and concludes with a big night with three sets on Tuesday, December 31st. See below for the band's official press release.

"Umphrey’s McGee is heading back to The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia for four nights to ring in the New Year. Be there December 28 through the 31st as UM fans from around the country descend onto one of the most racaus and enjoyable rooms we have the pleasure of playing. The Tabernacle offers accommodating sight lines, crisp sound, and an overall solid fan experience befitting of an Umphrey’s McGee New Year’s celebration.

Of course, partying is better with friends. That in mind, we have lined up some incredible special guests for the run. Who might you ask? Stay tuned, info dropping soon.

umVIP is rolling out the red carpet to ring in 2019. As we take over the Tab, umVIP is offering several different packages to ensure you can roll in the manner that best suits your needs. Whether that’s early entry for rail riding or reserved balcony seating for settling in, we’ve got you covered. Every package includes a private soundcheck show, private bar and bathrooms, exclusive UM gear, autographed screen print and more. Check out packages, travel options and more here.

UM ticket pre-sale and umVIP on sale will take place Wednesday, January 25th at 11am ET, with a public on sale Friday, July 27th at 11am ET.

Umphrey’s loves the Tabernacle, and so should you. It’s gonna be a rock & roll marathon, people. Eat your Wheaties."

Watch the official announcement video here:

Umphrey's McGee & Perpetual Groove To Join Forces In Charleston February 27, 2018 12:51

Photo by Abby Fox Photography

Proudly Presented by Friends With Benefits Productions (FWBpro) & WEmusic, rock stars Umphrey's McGee make their triumphant return to Charleston w/ Special Guests Perpetual Groove at The Grove at Patriots Point. This unique and beautiful venue is nestled in a clearing surrounded by trees near the Yorktown Aircraft Carrier in Charleston Harbor close to the base of the Ravenel Bridge in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Come celebrate on Thursday May 31, 2018 at this space while you can— there are plans to develop the area. This will be one of the last big shows at The Grove in one of the world's top cities, Charleston, SC!

The music of Umphrey’s McGee unfolds like an unpredictable conversation between longtime friends. Its six participants—Brendan Bayliss [guitar, vocals], Jake Cinninger [guitar, vocals], Joel Cummins [keyboards, piano, vocals], Andy Farag [percussion], Kris Myers [drums, vocals], and Ryan Stasik [bass]—know just how to communicate with each other on stage and in the studio. A call of progressive guitar wizardry might elicit a response of soft acoustic balladry, or a funk groove could be answered by explosive percussion. At any moment, heavy guitars can give way to heavier blues as the boys uncover the elusive nexus between jaw-dropping instrumental virtuosity and airtight songcraft.

The conversation continues on their eleventh full-length album, it’s not us [Nothing Too Fancy Music]— Released January 12, 2018.

“It represents the band, because it basically runs the gamut from prog rock to dance,” says Brendan. “We’ve mastered our ADD here. The record really shows that.”

“No matter what you’re into, there’s something on it’s not us that should speak to you,” agrees Joel. “This is a statement album for Umphrey’s McGee. The sound is as fresh as ever. The songs are strong as they’ve ever been. We’re always pushing forward.”

It is also how the band is celebrating its 20-year anniversary. Instead of retreading the catalog, they turn up with a pile of new tunes.

The Official 21+ Late Night immediately following Umphrey's McGee's show is at nearby Omar Shrine and will host a brand new collaboration called DOOM FLAMINGO between Umphrey's McGee bassist and Charleston resident Ryan Stasik, and a slew of standout Charleston musicians including Michael Quinn [sax], Ross Bogan [keys], Stuart White [drums], Thomas Kenney [guitar] & Kanika Moore [vocals]! Local psychedelic rock outfit The Artisanals fronted by Johnny Delaware (formerly of SUSTO) will open the Afterparty festivities before DOOM FLAMINGO's synth-wave dance party! You'll need a ticket to the main event in order to attend this very special Late Night!

This concert, hosted by Friends With Benefits Productions (FWBpro), the group behind The Major Rager®, will give back to the Charleston community by partnering with the following local nonprofit organizations - Communities In Schools Charleston & Redux Contemporary Art Center!

The mission of Communities In Schools is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. FWBpro is thrilled to be working with Redux Contemporary Art Center to activate the festival grounds. As the premier venue for emerging contemporary art in Charleston, Redux will be our exclusive art partner, providing interactive art installations and activities throughout the event.

Stay tuned for more information regarding this exciting live music experience and be on the lookout for some awesome fan-centric experiences available for purchase soon! This event will have a festival feel with delectable food vendors, multiple bars, art, and activities. VIP Tickets include a VIP Lounge, Upgraded Private Restrooms, Preferred Stage View & Private VIP Bar (2 Drinks Included).

Immediately following the event at the Grove, concert-goers can head a short ways down the road to the Omar Shrine for the Official 21+ Late Night with The Artisanals & DOOM FLAMINGO (Ryan Stasik of Umphrey's McGee + CHS all-stars), but the event is only open to those who purchase tickets to the main event!

Join us Thursday May 31, 2018 for one of the last big events at one of our favorite venues with some of our very favorite bands in support of Communities in Schools Charleston!

For Updates: Follow Friends With Benefits Productions on Facebook. (@FWBpro on Instagram & Twitter) & Join our mailing list at FWBpro.com!

Follow Us and RSVP on the Facebook Event Page/ invite your friends for your chance to WIN 2 FREE TICKETS to the show! Facebook Event Page— https://www.facebook.com/events/2283766975183434/

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY MARCH 2 at 10am ET at www.FWBpro.com

Ticket Tiers:

EARLY BIRD GA - $30 (Extremely Limited)

w/ 21 + Late Night - $50 (Ticket to Main Event Required for Admission to Late Night)

ADVANCE GA - $35

w/ 21+ Late Night - $55 (Ticket to Main Event Required for Admission to Late Night)

DOS - $40

w/ 21+ Late Night - $60 (Ticket to Main Event Required for Admission to Late Night)

VIP - $99 - (VIP include a VIP Lounge, Upgraded Private Restrooms, Preferred Stage View, Private VIP Bar & 2 Drinks Included)

w/ 21+ Late Night - $119 (Ticket to Main Event Required for Admission to Late Night)

Umphrey's McGee Announces 2018 Tour Dates + New Album October 17, 2017 14:07

Photo by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography

Umphrey’s McGee launches into 2018 with a new album and an extensive tour to celebrate 20 years as a band. And they're coming to a town near you to celebrate the occasion. The new album, it's not us, will be the band's 11th studio recording and is scheduled for a January 12th release date. The band will issue a 12″ picture disc featuring two tracks from ‘it’s not us’ on Record Store Day Black Friday, November 24. Here’s more details from RecordStoreDay.com:

The first single, “The Silent Type”, is classic UM: it’s infections riff rock, the musical equivalent of the record’s unique shape, sawing through your turntable. Side B features “Looks”, an uptempo driving composition penned by virtuoso guitarist Jake Cinninger.

Album, tour, umVIP & on-sale info at www.umphreys.com. Support acts for the tour will be revealed at a later date. Pre-sale and umVIP tickets go on sale starting on Monday, October 23. General public onsale for tickets stats on Friday, October 27. See below for a graphic with the full list of tour dates.

Watch UM's official announcement video here:

Umphrey's McGee Will Offer Free Live Stream Of Chucktown Ball September 22, 2016 21:26

Photos by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

Umphrey's McGee and TourGigs have teamed up with Qello Concerts to offer a free live stream of this weekend's Chucktown Ball at North Charleston Coliseum. The band made the formal announcement on Thursday night, much to the pleasure of the UM faithful. Tune in at 8:00 PM EST each night and catch opening sets from Moon Taxi on Friday and The Floozies on Saturday night. See below for the official announcement via Umphreys.com.

Watch the FREE live stream of Umphrey’s 2nd Annual Chucktown Ball, powered by TourGigs! If you can’t make it to South Carolina, just kick back and watch from your couch or on-the-go through Qello Concerts.

Steam link: http://qello.com/vip/chucktown-ball

Friday, September 23
with special guests Moon Taxi
Stream starts around 8:00pm ET (approx.)

Saturday, September 24
with special guests The Floozies
Stream starts around 8:00pm ET (approx.)

Umphrey's McGee's 'Chucktown Ball' Moving To North Charleston Coliseum September 21, 2016 14:36

Photos by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

In the midst of preparation for the second annual Chucktown Ball, progressive jam rockers Umphrey's McGee has been forced to move this weekend's two-day event from Riverfront Park to North Charleston Coliseum due to recent heavy rains and water-logged grounds at Riverfront Park. The band made the official announcement on Wednesday via Facebook and issued a full statement via Umphreys.com, which can be read below. While this comes as disappointing news to many, rest assured that Umphrey's will adjust and rage properly, as they always do.

"The recent heavy rains experienced in the Charleston area have water-logged the grounds of Riverfront Park. With more rain in the forecast over the course of the next few days, conditions are likely to worsen. Thus, we will be unable to safely and expediently build the festival site as planned. With this in mind, Chucktown Ball is being moved to the North Charleston Coliseum. We take our fans’ safety very seriously and want to provide you with the best experience possible. All previously purchased tickets will be honored at the new venue and all bands will still perform as planned, with the exception of Dangermuffin, who are no longer available to participate. We intend to take the vision of Chucktown Ball and deliver an amazing experience alongside the accommodating staff of the the North Charleston Coliseum, who are thrilled to now be hosting our event. We hope you are ready for some arena rock!

The updated show times are as follows:

Friday September 23th
Doors – 5:45 pm
Dead 27s – 6:45 pm
Moon Taxi – 8:00 pm
Umphrey’s McGee (2 sets) – 9:30 pm thru 12:45 am

Saturday September 24th
Doors – 5:45 pm
The Hip Abduction – 6:45 pm
The Floozies – 8:00 pm
Umphrey’s McGee (2 sets) – 9:30 pm thru 12:45 am

The Chucktown Ball remains an All Ages event, and kids 6 and under are free. The North Charleston Coliseum is located at 5001 Coliseum Drive. If you take a taxi or uber, have your driver drop you at the south entrance off of West Montague Ave in front of the box office. Parking will be $5.00.

If you purchased a umVIP package, all package amenities will still be delivered as planned. Stay tuned for some correspondence from our umVIP team on updated details.

Umphrey's McGee Unveils New Mash-Up Album 'ZONKEY' September 7, 2016 12:24

Photo by Craig Baird: Live & Listen

Genre-defying progressive sextet Umphrey’s McGee has announced the November 11 release of ZONKEY, a truly unique collection of 12 innovative mash-ups; conceived, arranged and performed in their entirety without the use of any samples. Always a band to challenge the boundaries of live performance, Umphrey’s McGee began a tradition eight years ago when the group started performing live mash-ups during their annual Halloween concerts. The event has become a fan favorite with sold out shows and highly coveted tickets. ZONKEY marks the first time the group has taken songs spanning 40+ years of popular music from 70’s Reggae to 80’s Pop to 90’s Metal and beyond, and recorded them in the studio.

Only a band with the caliber of musicians such as Umphrey’s McGee could pull off these ambitious compositions that include “National Loser Anthem” (Radiohead’s "National Anthem" + Beck’s "Loser" + Phil Collins "In The Air Tonight”), “Can't Rock My Dream Face” (Michael Jackson’s "Rock With You" + The Weeknd’s "Can't Feel My Face" + Fleetwood Mac’s "Dreams"), “Strangletage” (Ted Nugent’s "Stranglehold" + Beastie Boys "Sabotage") or “Life During Exodus” (Talking Heads’ "Life During Wartime" + Bob Marley‘s "Exodus" + Frank Zappa’s "City of Tiny Lites" + Chicago’s "25 or 6 to 4"). The passion and precision in their playing is tremendous, as well as seamless blends and transitions within the arrangements.

"ZONKEY clearly pays homage to some of our favorite artists & songs. While we’ve tried to reproduce the spirit of the original compositions & recordings, we’ve also tried to have some fun with the takes as we’ve often combined seemingly dissimilar musical elements to create a new vibe altogether,” notes keyboardist Joel Cummins

Aside from Umphrey’s McGee’s dynamic sounds, cutting edge live spectacles, massive fanbase and sold out shows, the band has set a new standard with their groundbreaking fan-engaging, communal live experiences. Their pioneering live interactive efforts include fan curated sets, “audio immersion” via their Headphones & Snowcones experience and the annual UMBowl events (featured in Wired), to name a few. These extraordinary fan relations efforts have been the subject of stories in numerous outlets, including Billboard, Mashable, Pollstar, Relix, Chicago Tribune, and Time. ZONKEY is yet another example of a band unwilling to sit idle as they continue to evolve and explore endless possibilities.

Watch Umphrey's McGee perform "Bittersweet Haj" in Kansas City on 06.27.15:

ZONKEY Track Listing

“National Loser Anthem”

"National Anthem" (Radiohead) + "Loser" (Beck) + "In The Air Tonight "(Phil Collins)
-

“Life During Exodus”

"Life During Wartime" (Talking Heads) + "Exodus" (Bob Marley) + "City of Tiny Lites" (Frank Zappa) + "25 or 6 to 4" (Chicago)

“Can't Rock My Dream Face”

"Rock With You" (Michael Jackson) + "Can't Feel My Face" (The Weeknd) + "Dreams" (Fleetwood Mac)

“Sad Clint Eastwood”

"Sad But True" (Metallica) + "Clint Eastwood" (Gorillaz)

“Electric Avenue To Hell”

"Highway To Hell" (AC/DC) + "Electric Avenue" (Eddy Grant) +

The Triple Wide (Umphrey's McGee)

“Ace Of Long Nights”

"Ace of Spades" (Motorhead) + "It’s Gonna Be a Long Night" (Ween)

“Sweet Sunglasses”

"Sweet Dreams" (Eurythmics) + "Sunglasses at Night" (Corey Hart) +

"Electric Feel" (MGMT)

“Strangletage”

"Stranglehold" (Ted Nugent) + "Sabotage" (Beastie Boys)

“Come As Your Kids”

"Kids" (MGMT) + "Come As You Are" (Nirvana) +

"You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)” (Dead or Alive)

“Frankie Zombie”

"Thunder Kiss ’65" (White Zombie) + "Relax" (Frankie Goes to Hollywood) +

"Have a Cigar" (Pink Floyd)

“Bulls On The Bus”

"Bulls On Parade" (Rage Against the Machine) + "Mark On the Bus" (The Beastie Boys)

“Bittersweet Haj”

"Hajimemashite" (Umphrey's McGee) + "Bitter Sweet Symphony" (The Verve)

Umphrey's McGee Is Returning To Chicago For New Year's Eve September 5, 2016 13:00

Photos by Keith Griner: Phierce Photography

Progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee made a major announcement over the weekend; one which many of the band's oldest fans can rejoice about. While specifics have not yet been announced, Umphrey's will return to their home city of Chicago for the 2016 NYE run. The band's first-ever New Year's Eve show was on December 31st, 2000 at The Cubby Bear, and they proceeded to play the city every year through 2010. They then hit St. Louis and have rotated between Denver and Atlanta for the past four years. The band made the announcement via Twitter on Saturday, and keyboardist Joel Cummins confirmed the news on stage at North Coast Music Festival this weekend.

On second thought. Chicago seems like a better option. Bringing it home for NYE.

— Umphrey's McGee (@umphreysmcgee) September 5, 2016

Past Umphrey’s McGee New Year’s Eve Shows

2015 – Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO
2014 – The Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA
2013 – Fillmore Auditorium – Denver, CO
2012 – The Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA
2011 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO
2010 – The Riviera Theatre – Chicago, IL
2009 – Aragon Ballroom – Chicago, IL
2008 – The Auditorium Theatre – Chicago, IL
2005 – 2007 – Aragon Ballroom – Chicago, IL
2004 – The Riviera Theatre – Chicago, IL
2001 – 2003 – The Vic Theatre – Chicago, IL
2000 – The Cubby Bear – Chicago, IL

Watch Umphrey's McGee perform "Amazing Grace" > "Glory" with the Chicago Mass Choir on 12.31.08:

CBDB and Members of The Werks Will Play Umphrey's Afterparty in Birmingham July 6, 2016 11:53

If you're heading to see Umphrey's McGee at Avondale Brewery on Thursday night, you're going to want to plan accordingly for your after show plans. One of the southeast's hottest young bands, CBDB, is scheduled to play the official Umphrey's McGee afterparty at Zydeco, and they're preparing for an extra special occasion. Joining CBDB will be several members from The Werks, who is currently on tour with Umphrey's and opening up Thursday night's show at Avondale Brewery. Music is scheduled to begin at 11:00 PM, so head on over to Zydeco as soon as Umphrey's wraps up at Avondale.

Click Here: Purchase Tickets Today!

We spoke with CBDB's Kris Gottlieb (guitar) earlier today, and it's clear that this is a night that the band has been looking ahead to for some time:

"This is going to be our first official Umphrey's afterparty. We went on tour with The Werks back in April, so we're really excited to have a few of those guys join us. We just recently got home from a run through the northeast. Our last show was on Father's Day in Brooklyn, NY. We've been off since then, so we're really excited to play this week. It's always great to get back to Birmingham, especially for such a special occasion. We're very grateful for the opportunity, and we hope everyone shows up ready for a great show." - Kris Gottlieb (guitar) of CBDB

Watch CBDB's official music video for "Somewhere to Fall" here:

CBDB is a progressive rock/jam band formed in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, whose stock is rising fast. Fresh off the release of their third album, entitled The FAME EP, they are seeing a pattern of snowballing momentum with large, energetic crowds hungry for their unique brand of progressive jam-rock, dubbed Joyfunk. CBDB blends soulful vocals and virtuosic instrumentation with smart, tasteful songwriting resulting in a sound that can be enjoyed by the casual listener and audiophile alike. On stage, they parade tight, ambitious compositions that seamlessly gives way to loose, adventurous improvisation and have quickly become a must-see act.

Umphrey's McGee Announces Two-Night Halloween Run In St. Louis June 21, 2016 23:25

Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

Umphrey’s McGee has announced it's return to The Pageant in St. Louis on Saturday, October 29th & Sunday, October 30th for what is sure to be a rowdy Halloween celebration. The six-piece jam sensation has become known for their Halloween "mashups" over the years, where they combine the music of both Umphrey's originals and popular covers into one. The band's official announcement mentions “the band will weave unique musical mash-up concoctions into the two-night run.”

Pre-sale and umVIP on-sale begins this Friday, June 24th at 10am CT (including a limited amount of early-bird 2-day tickets for just $50), public on-sale begins Friday, July 1 at 10am CT. Full details on our website.

Watch Umphrey's McGee's mashup of Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion," Run DMC's "Walk This Way," and James Gang's "Funk No. 49" ("Walk This Sweet Funk Emotion") here:

Umphrey's McGee Announces 2nd Annual Chucktown Ball in Charleston May 9, 2016 14:30

Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

Press Release via Umphreys.com

Umphrey’s McGee will return to Charleston, South Carolina on September 23rd and 24th for the second iteration of Chucktown Ball at Riverfront Park in North Charleston. As some members of UM now call the Charleston area home, the Chucktown Ball is rapidly evolving into a unique Umphrey’s celebration. Riverfront Park is situated on the beautiful banks of the Cooper River, surrounded by graceful oak trees; this picturesque outdoor setting will be the backdrop for a two-day full blown Umphrey’s McGee event. Each night, two sets of UM will be preceded by very special guests: Moon Taxi and Dead 27s on Friday September 23rd; and The Floozies, Dangermuffin, and The Hip Abduction on Saturday September 24th. UM will also feature local food, libations, and vending, along with a umVIP elevated concert experience and umVIP travel packages.

For those of you interested in upgrading your Chucktown Ball experience, UM offers travel and umVIP offerings that will rock your socks off. Packages include tickets to each show, a umVIP lounge with discounted bar pricing, preferred viewing in front of the stage, a separate umVIP entrance, a pre-show BBQ on Saturday with an open cocktail hour, MP3 downloads of all UM shows, a commemorative laminate, and a dedicated staff throughout the weekend. UM is offering you two choices for our hotel packages to best suit your needs, both located in historic downtown Charleston. The brand new Dewberry Hotel and the Hyatt Place are both walking distance from Charleston’s many phenomenal restaurants and nightlife. UM will also offer transportation from your hotel to the venue.

Watch an interview with Ryan Stasik from last year's Chucktown Ball here:

Pre-sale and umVIP on-sale will begin on Tuesday, May 10, at 12:00 pm ET. During pre-sale, we will offer a limited amount of deeply discounted two-day early-bird tickets for $55.00. Snag these while supplies last. Public on-sale begins Thursday, May 12, at 12:00 pm ET.

Early bird two-day GA passes are $55.00, regular two-day GA passes are $75.00, single-day GA tickets are $45.00, umVIP only two-day packages are $359.00, umVIP Friday only are $169.00, and umVIP Saturday only are $199.00.

Chucktown Ball will contribute a portion of proceeds to the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, to aide in the incredible work they do for South Carolina families.

Watch Umphrey's McGee perform "Ringo" at last year's Chucktown Ball here:

Flashback: Umphrey's McGee Jams with Huey Lewis on Jimmy Kimmel Live (2006) April 15, 2016 10:25

Friday is a day meant for excitement, celebration, and anticipation for the two days ahead of you. We are here to do everything in our power to help you finish the week on a strong note and head full speed into the weekend. On that note, we have decided to take a look back one of our favorite moments in Umphrey's McGee history.

While supporting the release of the band's fourth studio album, Safety in Numbers, Umphrey's made it's late night television debut on the ABC network's Jimmy Kimmel Live! for a performance of "Women, Wine, and Song" and "Nemo", both of which were featured on the new album. Umphrey's called on their friend Huey Lewis for the special occasion, who had recently joined them in the recording studio. Video footage from the live performance from ABC studios can be found below. Umphrey's manager Vince Iwinski can be seen jamming on the front row at the 1:50 mark.

Safety In Numbers is Umphrey's McGee's fourth studio album, released on April 4, 2006. Huey Lewis and Joshua Redman both make appearances. Lewis makes appearances on both "Women, Wine, and Song" and "End of the Road", while Redman appears on "Intentions Clear". The album contains many slower, acoustic songs and a simpler, stripped down approach with little jamming or progressive rock elements. The artwork for the album was done by Storm Thorgerson.

Watch Umphrey's McGee perform "Women, Wine, and Song" w/ Huey Lewis here:

Watch's Umphrey's McGee perform "Nemo" during soundcheck at Jimmy Kimmel Live here:

Umphrey's McGee Announces 2016 Summer Tour Dates March 24, 2016 10:53

Press Release via Umphrey's McGee
Umphrey’s McGee Summer Tour rolls through a town near you as we traverse the East Coast, Midwest, Colorado, and the South. In addition to a smattering of festival appearances and solo Umphrey’s shows, we'll be joined by a diverse supporting cast, including The Werks, The Main Squeeze and Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath along the way.

Pre-sale and umVIP package on-sale begins Monday, March 28th at 11 am ET. Public on-sale begins Friday April 1st at 11 am ET. Check our Tour Dates page for full details.

06/02 - Mountain Jam - Hunter Mountain, NY - Tickets
06/03 - Rapids Theatre - Niagara Falls, NY - Tickets
06/04 - Bunbury Music Festival - Cincinnati, OH - Tickets
06/16 - Riverbend Festival - Chattanooga, TN - Tickets
06/29 - Brenton Skating Plaza - Des Moines, IA - Tickets
06/30 - Summerfest - Milwaukee, WI - Tickets
07/02 - Red Rocks Amphitheatre - Morrison, CO % - Tickets
07/03 - Red Rocks Amphitheatre - Morrison, CO $ - Tickets
07/07 - Avondale Brewing Company - Birmingham, AL * - Tickets
07/08 - House of Blues - Myrtle Beach, SC * - Tickets
07/09 - The Fillmore - Charlotte, NC * - Tickets
07/15 - Pier Six Pavilion - Baltimore, MD ** - Tickets
07/17 - The Stone Pony Summer Stage - Asbury Park, NJ ** - Tickets
08/03 - CrossroadsKC - Kansas City, MO ** - Tickets
08/05 - The Lawn at White River State Park - Indianapolis, IN - Tickets
08/06 - Iroquois Amphitheater - Louisville, KY ** - Tickets
08/11 - Higher Ground - Burlington, VT - Tickets
08/12 - Blue Hills Bank Pavilion - Boston, MA *** - Tickets
08/13 - The Peach Music Festival - Scranton, PA - Tickets
08/14 - F Shed at the Market - Syracuse, NY *** - Tickets
08/18 - Minglewood Hall - Memphis, TN - Tickets
08/19 - Tennessee Theatre - Knoxville, TN - Tickets
08/25 - Lockn’ Music Festival - Arrington, VA - Tickets

% with special guests Sinkane & Zappa Plays Zappa
$ with special guests The Main Squeeze and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
* with special guest The Werks
** with special guest The Main Squeeze
*** with special guest Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath

Watch Umphrey's McGee perform "Utopian Fir" in Asheville, NC on 02.02.16

For all of the latest news on Umphrey's McGee, follow the band on Facebook.

Umphrey's McGee Brings "Power Of Soul" To Avondale Brewery September 11, 2015 10:49

Thursday night, progressive jam rock band Umphrey's McGee took the stage at Avondale Brewing Company in Birmingham, AL. A rabid, rowdy crowd welcomed the group with open arms, just one night before the band was scheduled to close out Friday night at Lock'n Festival in Arrington, VA. While Avondale has quickly established it's strong reputation for live music since it's establishment in 2012, Umphrey's would be the brewery's biggest show to date, with roughly 2000 fans in attendance.

Umphrey's took the stage promptly at 8:00 PM CST, opening the show with "No Crying in Mexico," which progressed perfectly into "Bright Lights, Big City." Next up was "Rocker Part 2," which appeared on the band's latest release, The London Sessions. "Water" an oldie from the band's first album, Local Band Does O.K., would follow and segue into "Mad Love."

The band's metal side was showcased with a heavy hitting take on "#5," allowing lead guitarist Jake Cinnenger, bassist Ryan Stasik, and guitarist/vocalist Brendan Bayliss the first of many opportunities to face off and trade licks center stage. "No Diablo," arguably the band's biggest hit off last year's release, Similar Skin, provided a nice change of pace and made for a nice sing-a-long for the lively crowd. "The Bottom Half," the title track from the band's 2007 release, would round out the first set.

The second set kicked off with "The Triple Wide," an instrumental, spacey dance tune which has developed into one of the band's bigger jam vehicles over the years. A smooth transition led directly into "Red Tape," the first and only tune of the night off of the Mantis album. The always uplifting, reggae-ish "FF" had everyone on the property grooving, showing off the band's inner Bob Marley. A sudden, powerful drop into "All in Time" sent the Birmingham crowd into a frenzy, before an early exit into "Booth Love" pulled things back into a steady, baby-makin' groove.

The band dug deep in the archives with "Out of Order," one which was recently rerecorded for the release of The London Sessions. Few songs truly embody the full package for Umphrey's more than "Out of Order." Constant chord progressions, swift vocals, winding riffs from Cinninger, and an eventually explosive build up. Having played all originals thus far, it was only a matter of time before a bust out cover, which came in the form of Jimi Hendrix's "Power of Soul." Drummer Kris Myers and percussionist Andy Farag held down a tight rhythm, allowing for Bayliss and Cinninger to pay homage to the legendary Hendrix. Hearing nearly 2000 people singing "With the power of soul, anything is possible" as the set came to a close was inspiring to say the least.

After a brief exit, the all too familiar opening notes of "In The Kitchen" provided a proper warning for an absolutely rocking encore. Bayliss guided the Birmingham crowd through one of the band's biggest hits to date. Many had forgotten that "All In Time" had been left unfinished, as usual. The drop back into "All In Time" gave one last shot of adrenaline before settling into one of the more peaceful, soothing segments of any Umphrey's tune. Bayliss's lyrics during the closing bridge always hit home and make for a powerful sense of nostalgia.

Umphrey's McGee heads to Arrington, VA today to play a late night set to close out the festival's opening night. For all additional info and tour dates, head over to Umphrey's official website and social media outlets.

Official Website: Umphrey's McGee

Facebook: Umphrey's McGee

Instagram: Umphrey's McGee

Twitter: Umphrey's McGee

Umphrey's McGee || Birmingham, AL

Avondale Brewery || 09.10.15

Set 1: No Crying in Mexico, Bright Lights Big City, Rocker 2, Water > Mad Love, #5, No Diablo, The Bottom Half

Set 2: The Triple Wide > Red Tape, FF > All in Time > Booth Love, Out of Order > Power of Soul [1]

Encore: In the Kitchen > All in Time

[1] Jimi Hendrix cover