Umphrey’s McGee Back in NC
by Matt DavisJam-scene heroes Umphrey’s McGee are set to return to North Carolina for the first time in 2007. After a much-deserved post-New Years break, the Chicago-based sextet will make three stops in North Carolina in late February and early March, including their first ever stop in Boone.
Widely-hailed as the “next Phish,” the Umphrey’s boys are quickly going from up-and-comers to holders of the jam-rock torch. Near constant touring and festival slots over the past few years have helped Umphrey’s develop a rabid fan base across the country. They have developed a well-deserved reputation as one of the most exciting and impressive live acts in the jam scene. Their eclectic mix of 70’s and 80’s metal with blues, jazz, funk, prog and fusion bodes well for the intricate and improvisational live sets they put together. Not many bands can claim the Mahavishnu Orchestra as an influence and then pull off a perfect 9-minute cover of Metallica’s “…And Justice For All.” Not many bands can jam with Bela Fleck and Victor Wooten for some fiery funk one song and then bust out the 12-minute fan-favorite indescribable rock epic of “Bridgeless” the next.
If you haven’t been fortunate enough to catch an Umphrey’s show, let it be your New Years’ resolution to do so in ’07. In addition to the incredible and wide-ranging musicianship the band brings to the table, you can usually pick out a clever cover or two during the set. You’re almost as likely to hear a track off of Abbey Road as you are off of Anchor Drops (Umphrey’s someday-classic 2004 album).
The most important thing about any of this is that the band quite obviously is having a blast at doing it. They’re friends and they treat their audience as such. Jake Cinninger could very well be the best guitarist in the business by the time he’s done and he’s surrounded by equally fantastic talent in Brendan Bayliss, Andy Farag, Kris Myers, Joel Cummins and Ryan Stasik.
Once you catch one show, you’ll never miss another. Catch them at:
Amos’ Southend, Charlotte, February 24th.
Legends’, Boone, February 25th.
The Orange Peel, Asheville, March 1st.
