Congratulations To Umphreys McGee On 2,000 Shows
By Scott Bernstein Nov 7, 2014 • 9:50 am PST
Umphrey’s McGee has been around longer than JamBase. And we’re old. Not as old as Joel, but we’ve been around a while. Umphrey’s played their first show in January of 1998. The first version of JamBase launched as a flat file database using CGI scripts the following year. By the time the band was making their first trip to the west coast, they were literally sleeping on JamBase co-founder Andy Gadiel’s couches and floor. Dating back to October 18, 2000 – there are currently 665 articles, reviews, interviews, CD reviews, photo galleries and who knows what else associated with the band in the JamBase archives.
Tomorrow, the band plays its 2,000th show and while the math is fuzzy according to Brendan Bayliss, we can’t help but feel more than a little nostalgic for the milestone. With that in mind we posed the same four questions to some current JamBase team members as well as JamBase co-founders and contributors. Below you’ll find all of our answers and check back later for another celebratory post.
You can catch the free webcast of tomorrow’s 2000th via TourGigs, you can also tune in tonight for $9.99 which includes 24-hour replay.
David Onigman
JamBase CEO
First memories/impressions of Umphrey’s McGee?
I supposedly saw Umphrey’s at Camp Bisco in 2002 though I have no recollection of the set, not totally convinced I saw it. My first definite show was downstairs at The Middle East in Cambridge, Massachusetts on November 20, 2003. I was far from sold on the band. It’s a show that didn’t really have that “x factor” which makes for a great Umphrey’s show. Fans generally are not a fan of the show and I think the majority of the band were sick as dogs. I left thinking they were a good band.
When the first “Jam In The Dam” (back then called Amsterjam) was announced in 2005, myself and a couple friends knew we had to be there, for various reasons. We went over as big fans of the Disco Biscuits who along with Umphrey’s, Keller Williams, and Particle were the four bands on the bill. The first night tDB played the small room and Umphrey’s played the big room and the Biscuits set was scheduled to end with some time still left on the clock for the UM set. After a great tDB show, we stumbled across the hall and up to the balcony of The Melkweg to catch the end of this Umphrey’s set. This clearly was not the band I remembered from 18 months earlier in Massachusetts. These guys ripped. Both guitarists were incredible. They were like stunt guitar players, covering each others eyes and literally pushing each other around the stage as they pulled off these incredible riffs. Dropping Ozzy Osbourne’s “No More Tears” in the encore slot sent us out the front door of the venue wide-eyed and UM had a few HUGE new fans with my crew of friends over there in The Netherlands.
Single favorite memory from an UM show?
This one’s easy. December 31, 2008 – the moment they drop into “Glory” out of nowhere after the first verse of “Amazing Grace” with The Chicago Mass Choir.
Favorite tune in their repertoire?
There are a lot of classic tunes in the early UM repertoire, but for me, the UM song to end all UM songs is “Words” off of Safety in Numbers. It’s an incredibly powerful song, with multiple sections and to hear how the song originally came together (check out Disc 2 of The Bottom Half) is very Umphrey’s.
Message to the band as they celebrate 2,000 shows
Keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t fuck it up.
Andy Gadiel
JamBase Co-Founder
First memories/impressions of Umphrey’s McGee?
Opening for the The Disco Biscuits on May 29, 1999 at Martry’s in Chicago. They did a sweet “Lively up Yourself.”
Single favorite memory from an UM show?
High Sierra Music Festival -July 5, 2001 -Vaudeville Tent -Power went out during the middle of “All In Time.” They waited it out and when the power came on they went right back into the peak of the jam where they left off.
Favorite tune in their repertoire?
Message to the band as they celebrate 2,000 shows?
Stay heady.
Scott Bernstein
JamBase Editorial Director
First memories/impressions of Umphrey’s McGee?
It was around 1 a.m. after Phish performed an all-time show at Deer Creek on July 25, 1999. I was resting up at the Dead Creek Campground when I heard a band covering TLC’s “Waterfalls.” I just had to check that out and wound up standing -dead on my feet -in front of the stage for the rest of their performance.
Single favorite memory from an UM show?
Aragon Ballroom -December 31, 2006 -a cover of Steely Dan’s “My Old School.” One of my favorite bands playing one of my favorite songs as I was surrounded by some of my favorite people.
Favorite tune in their repertoire?
“Glory” -A beautiful showcase for the soulful guitar work of Jake Cinninger never fails to put a huge smile on my face.
Message to the band as they celebrate 2,000 shows?
Stay true to who you are and keep on doing what you’re doing, because it’s working.
Andy Kahn
JamBase Contributor
First memories/impressions of Umphrey’s McGee?
My sister attended Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana in the late 1990s and brought me home a cassette tape dubbing of their album Greatest Hits Volume III. Flash forward to April 2001 and UM played its first gig in Iowa City where I was attending college. Having listened to the tape from my sister a couple of times, my friends and I went down to the Q Bar to see the band for the first time. By the end of the show I had talked to (manager) Vince (Iwinski) about joining the street team and would soon start getting in the van to go see the band around the Midwest. Over the next decade I’d see the band from coast to coast and in foreign countries, a far cry from Iowa City.
Single favorite memory from an UM show?
The entire show at the old Durty Nellie’s in Palatine, Illinois on September 17, 2002 had an indelible vibe to it. It was a Tuesday night, the place was packed to the low hanging ceiling and the band was absolutely locked in. Both sets were nearly seamless, with most songs segueing from one to the next and both were filled with new song debuts, killer improve and plenty of fun. It was the debut of what became known as “Wappy Sprayberry” midway through the first set that turned the house into a full on dance party and the moment I knew I had made the right decision to skip my classes Wednesday morning.
Favorite tune in their repertoire?
Matching compelling lyrics with equally evocative composition, “Morning Song” gets me every time. Catching the debut in Burlington, Vermont in 2006 helped make it all the more special to me. Check out my favorite version from Madison, Wisconsin on November 2, 2006.
Message to the band as they celebrate 2,000 shows
Have a good time, all the time, and quit stalling.
Deanne Berkowitz aka SuperDee
JamBase Co-Founder
First memories/impressions of Umphrey’s McGee?
In early 2001, JamBase (then a 4 person team) was operating out of an extra bedroom room at Andy Gadiel’s house in Mill Valley. We received a CD of Umphrey’s March 17, 2001 Morris Performing Arts Center show in South Bend. Someone would throw the CD on and every 10 minutes or so we would hear something intriguing, look up from our computer screens and say, “Who is this?!?” The answer was always, “Umphrey’s McGee.” There were so many intriguing moments that this band quickly became an intense favorite of all four of us. We played that CD constantly.
Single favorite memory from an UM show?
I have so many awesome memories with Umphrey’s McGee. One more recent highlight however was at the Brooklyn Bowl on January 20, 2013. At the end of an incredible show, the band launched into favorite “All In Time” which then segued into “Dear Lord” and then back into “All In Time.” I have the chills thinking about it now. The music was so gorgeous, spiritual, soulful and otherworldly. I remember thinking at the time how proud I was of the band’s artistic growth and maturity and how lucky I was to be a witness to it all.
Favorite tune in their repertoire?
2×2
Message to the band as they celebrate 2,000 shows?
You know how much I love all of you maniacs -band, crew, and management AND your growing families. It’s been fun watching you rise and can’t wait to see where you go from here. Congrats on your 2000th show!
Ted Kartzman
JamBase Co-Founder
First memories/impressions of Umphrey’s McGee?
I lived in Chicago when they were doing Scofield covers, before the Jake era. When Vince gave me an analog tape at aliveOne in Chicago back in 1998, they were just getting into thinking about trying to make it. Now, they have not only made it, but they are ahead of the curve, especially when it comes to digital technology and fan interaction.
Also I have to mention March 17, 2001. We listened to the shit out of this set in early JamBase days on Almonte. This was a set that everyone in the office (4 of us at the time, plus Bo the Dog) was way into. In fact, it was one of those magical sets that forged a bond with this band, they became “our boys” and from this moment on, JamBase wanted to get behind this band 100%.
You see, we listened to a lot of bands. Every day. We got a lot of CD-Rs in the mail. We were not yet super fans of the band, they had yet to come and blow the doors off the 4th Street Tavern in San Rafael, that would happen in July of 2001.
The long and short of this set is that Super Dee put this disc on and over the next hour, me, Andy and Mike would all ask “what band is this again?” The songs were all different, the covers were choice, and Dee’s response every time was always “Umphrey’s McGee.”
It was “Nothing Too Fancy” into “2×2,” and then the horns came out for “Professor Wormbog,” and I got won over during the “Late in the Evening” cover. There was something for everyone, jammers, rockers, covers of classics and great vocals. By the time we hit the “Black Water” closer, we all looked at each other with that look you give when you find that band who has “it.”
Single favorite memory from an UM show?
The “Feels So Good” tease in the “2×2” from May 3, 2002 at The Blue Nile. I didn’t know anyone else had a soft spot for Chuck Mangione besides me. Honestly, the best memory of that night was the sunrise from the porch overlooking Frenchmen, that show went til after 6 a.m.!
Favorite tune in their repertoire?
Fave song probably has to be “All In Time” since it is such a great song, you really get a few styles in one tune. Also, I’m well endowed with all the doubt I need.
Message to the band as they celebrate 2,000 shows
Happiness is found within. Also, you got this on Lock-D.
Tim Neagle
JamBase Finance Advisor and Consultant
First memories/impressions of Umphrey’s McGee?
I’m one of the few lucky ones who actually saw Tashi Station and Stomper Bob before Umphrey’s was formed. I was at the first ever Umphrey’s McGee show at the now torn down Bridget McGuire’s Filling Station in South Bend, when they played under the name “Fat Tony.” I went on to see nearly every show in South Bend in the winter and spring of 1998. My favorite moments were watching Notre Dame barflies get mystified during “Divisions” and “All In Time,” and the extremely funky “G-Song” and “Muffburger Sandwich” jams. Going to a conservative Catholic school like Notre Dame, having an experimental rock and jam band like Umphrey’s was a breath of fresh air. Too bad they didn’t surface until my senior year.
Single favorite memory from an UM show?
Let me share two. High Sierra 2001 during “Andy’s Last Beer” as the West Coast was just learning about Umphrey’s watching people blown away by the swirling energetic power of that song. Myself and a couple veteran Umph fans were able to see the crowd transform during the set form curious observers to full on disciples in 90 minutes. Umph blew people away that year.
Secondly, on St Patrick’s Day at Oakland’s Fox Theater in 2012 -that entire show was power-charged, especially eight minutes into the “Red Tape” that bled into “I’m On Fire” and then right back to the end of “Divisions.” The entire set was a “Divisions” sandwich and the “Red Tape” jam was a perfect mix of tight electro-funk w/ big room blissful soaring guitars. Definitely worth a listen.
Favorite tune in their repertoire?
From the older songs, without a doubt “2×2.” The marching stomping section of this song is still one of my top music moments of any band ever, especially given the elation climax that comes shortly thereafter. From the more recent material, it’s hard to beat “Red Tape.” Honorary mention: “Der Bluten Kat” and “Anchor Drops.”
Message to the band as they celebrate 2,000 shows?
Congratulations on everything you’ve accomplished. From the early days in the basement of Marion St. in SBI through all the long tours on the road you’ve really created an amazing band with an incredibly unique and intelligent style. Don’t ever lose your sense of humor or your fine attention to detail. And…bring back “G-Song” and “10th Grade”!!!
Matt Hogan
JamBase Dir. of Sales & Business Development
First memories/impressions of Umphrey’s McGee?
I first saw UM live at High Sierra 2002 late night…and this is going to sound crazy, but I actually left after about a half hour to go see another band (who now I don’t remember). Blame it on festival ADD, but I caught some of their set the next day, and picked up a few live samplers over the weekend that went into regular rotation in my CD player on the ride home. What I heard piqued my interest enough to check out my first full show a couple weeks later at the Fox in Boulder (July 18, 2002). After that show, I remember thinking that while I definitely appreciated the music, for some reason, I still didn’t quite “get it.” Maybe I just wasn’t ready, because looking back on it now, those were all pretty killer sets.
One of the things I’ve always said about UM is that they have a slightly higher barrier to entry than most bands in the scene, because the music can be a bit more challenging. They’re obviously amazingly talented musicians, but there’s not always a simple extended groove to latch onto, and their songs can seemingly change direction on a dime if you don’t know where they’re going. So you really have to pay attention, and invest yourself into learning and understanding their music…but once you do that, and it finally clicks for you, the payoff is unlike any other band out there. It took listening to their music a bit more, and until about the fifth live show before I finally “got it.” And once you’re hooked, you’re hooked for life.
I was fortunate enough to work with Umphrey’s while I was at SCI Fidelity Records -we put out all of their albums from Anchor Drops through Mantis – so I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the band, crew and management over the years while feeding my addiction to their music and live shows. And as good as they are at their craft, the band and entire UM team are even better as people. You won’t find a better group of guys, and the family that surrounds them reflects that. It’s been a genuine honor getting to call them friends, and watching them grow into the well-oiled machine they are today.
Single favorite memory from an UM show?
If I have to narrow it down to one, I’ll go with Jam Cruise 3 on the pool deck (January 8, 2005). This was one of the first times I really got to spend time with the band and crew, and this was a straight ahead, two-set Umphrey’s rager. Everyone -including a bunch of the other artists on board -was getting down in the middle of the ocean under the stars, and marveling at the talent of these six guys.
Honorable mention goes to Bonnaroo (June 11, 2004), CBGB (April 21, 2006), Lollapalooza (August 4, 2006), Aragon Ballroom (December 31, 2007), Rothbury (July 5, 2009), so many Red Rocks and Colorado shows, and quite a few late nights into laughter-filled sunrises.
Favorite tune in their repertoire?
“Hajimemashite”
Message to the band as they celebrate 2,000 shows?
Much love guys, and thanks for all the amazing music and incredible times over the years. Congratulations on #2000! You’re at the top of your game right now, and it just keeps getting better.
