They Played It Live | Umphrey’s McGee – Similar Skin

Today marks a huge day for Chicago-based sextet Umphrey’s McGee as their long-awaited eighth studio album, Similar Skin, has been officially released. The band has detailed many ways to pick up your own copy of the LP and you have one more day to purchase the album through the group’s store, which gains you access to a bonus site where you can partake in a number of pre-order perks.

For this month’s edition of They Played It Live we present choice live versions of the eight of 11 Similar Skin tracks that have been performed in concert. To date, “Little Gift,” “Educated Guess” and “Hindsight” remain unplayed.

1. The Linear -02/01/2013

“The Linear” has been played 97 times by Umphrey’s from its January 22, 2010 debut through to Umphrey’s Saturday show at this past weekend’s Wakarusa Festival. We’re fond of a version UM laid down at The Orbit Room in Grand Rapids, MI on February 1, 2013.

2. Cut The Cable -05/09/2012 by 30db

Before Umphrey’s officially debuted “Cut The Cable” on December 30, 2012 the Brendan Bayliss penned-tune was performed by 30db, his side project with Jeff Austin.

3. Hourglass -12/31/2012

Umphrey’s played “Hourglass” with the Mad Dog’s Filthy Little Secret horn section including Jeff Coffin on New Year’s Eve ’12/’13 at The Tabernacle in Atlanta. Thanks to TourGigs for the pro-shot video above.

4. No Diablo -06/08/2013

Brendan’s “No Diablo,” a song he wrote as a message for Jake Cinninger’s son, has been played 14 times live. It’s second-ever performance, which took place on June 8, 2013 in Colorado, features Brendan and Jake on acoustics.

5. Similar Skin -5/23/2014

The title track of Umphrey’s new album was debuted at Brooklyn Bowl early last month and has been performed three times since, including this version from Summer Camp.

6. Puppet String -07/03/2011

“Puppet String” has been a staple of UM live performances since it was debuted at the Summer Camp Music Festival in 2011. The version above is one of the first takes on the powerful anthem.

7. Little Gift -Yet To Be Played Live

8. Educated Guess -Yet To Be Played Live

9. Loose Ends -12/29/2012

“Loose Ends” was debuted on March 25, 2012 and has been played a total of twenty times. Check out pro-shot footage of the December 29, 2012 performance of “Loose Ends” at The Tabernacle in Atlanta.

10. Hindsight -Yet To Be Played Live

11. Bridgeless -06/13/2008

“Bridgeless” is the oldest song found on Similar Skin by a long shot as it was debuted by Umphrey’s way back on January 30, 2004 and has been performed a whopping 274 times over the past decade. The version above comes from the band’s Bonnaroo 2008 appearance.