Spring Break
Web exclusive: Umphrey's McGee lights up Electric Factory
Andrew Leib
Issue date: 10/24/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
When looking at the music industry today bands that are considered to have a "cult" status are few and far between. What does it take to achieve this class? Superior musicianship and songwriting skills, mass appeal, heavy touring, consistent new material and most importantly, always thinking about their fans.
It is this formula that the band Umphrey's McGee follows to a "T". Based out of Chicago, Umphrey's McGee has been on the jam band circuit for years, producing a spectacular new sound that really stands out from the rest. Dueling guitar harmonies wrapped in a blanket of bass and piano, while a drumming duo impeccably acts as a backbone to the musical monster-a pure, musical bliss.
Umphrey's McGee tours heavily during the year, yet every show is different. When the band calls upon their extensive repertoire of originals, they try to mix things up by jamming on a break or vamping into another song, which really allows an endless possibility of music making.
In terms of thinking about their fans, Umphrey's goes above and beyond the norm and releases a Podcast twice a month consisting of their favorite picks from shows-absolutely free. It's as if you're getting a new CD of your favorite band every time you download one because the songs are always evolving. In addition, they also allow an open taping and trading policy of their shows where a recorder can come and set up their rig, as long as they promise to distribute their recordings for non-commercial use. On occasion the band travels out of the country and you can bet their loyal fans follow them from Jamaica to Amsterdam to experience a spectacular show and add another one to their list.
A Triangle reporter recently caught a show of Umphrey's McGee at the Electric Factory on Oct. 18 and we were not disappointed. The venue was jam-packed with everyone from dreaded hippies to giddy frat boys, a social melting pot that has become a rarity. As the lights faded to black, the crowd cheered with excitement as the six soldiers took the staged and manned their instruments for the musical mêlée to come.
It is this formula that the band Umphrey's McGee follows to a "T". Based out of Chicago, Umphrey's McGee has been on the jam band circuit for years, producing a spectacular new sound that really stands out from the rest. Dueling guitar harmonies wrapped in a blanket of bass and piano, while a drumming duo impeccably acts as a backbone to the musical monster-a pure, musical bliss.
Umphrey's McGee tours heavily during the year, yet every show is different. When the band calls upon their extensive repertoire of originals, they try to mix things up by jamming on a break or vamping into another song, which really allows an endless possibility of music making.
In terms of thinking about their fans, Umphrey's goes above and beyond the norm and releases a Podcast twice a month consisting of their favorite picks from shows-absolutely free. It's as if you're getting a new CD of your favorite band every time you download one because the songs are always evolving. In addition, they also allow an open taping and trading policy of their shows where a recorder can come and set up their rig, as long as they promise to distribute their recordings for non-commercial use. On occasion the band travels out of the country and you can bet their loyal fans follow them from Jamaica to Amsterdam to experience a spectacular show and add another one to their list.
A Triangle reporter recently caught a show of Umphrey's McGee at the Electric Factory on Oct. 18 and we were not disappointed. The venue was jam-packed with everyone from dreaded hippies to giddy frat boys, a social melting pot that has become a rarity. As the lights faded to black, the crowd cheered with excitement as the six soldiers took the staged and manned their instruments for the musical mêlée to come.
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