Throwback Thursday | Umphrey’s & moe. Split Squads

The Summer Camp Music Festival begins today at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, IL with a “Thursday Pre-Party.” 2014 marks the 12th year in a row both Umphrey’s McGee and moe. will perform at the event. For today’s Throwback Thursday we want to look at the night at Summer Camp 2006, when both bands came together for the incredibly interesting and inventive “Split Squad Shows.”

[Photos by Brett Saul]

On May 28, 2006 members of both bands split up into two separate units for performances at The Red Barn. Split Squad #1 featured Chuck Garvey and Vinnie Amico of moe. along with Umphrey’s Joel Cummins, Jake Cinninger, Ryan Stasik and Andy Farag. Split Squad #2 saw Al Schnier, Jim Loughlin and Rob Derhak of moe. pair up with Umphrey’s Brendan Bayliss and Kris Myers. Each group played a mix of moe. and UM originals along with a killer set of covers. Split Squad #1 tackled songs from the likes of Frank Zappa, Steely Dan and Radiohead, while Split Squad #2 covered AC/DC, Big Star, Iron Maiden and Talking Heads. All of Umphrey’s and moe. came together outside the venue for a finale of “The Weight” (The Band) and “Night Moves” (Bob Seger).

The next year Summer Camp presented a “Tag Team” show in which members of UM, moe. and other acts “tagged” in and out throughout the evening for more of a free-form jam session. One-time-only musical experiences like Split Squads and Tag Team at Summer Camp are what we love to see festival organizers program at their events. Listen to Jon Merin’s outstanding recording of Split Squad Night at Summer Camp 2006:

Check out our coverage of Summer Camp 2006.