Umphrey’s McGee Plays ‘Local Band Does OK’ Album In Syracuse

Umphrey’s McGee celebrated their 24th anniversary on Friday at the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse, New York. The band performed their 2002 album Local Band Does OK in full, spliting it between the first and second sets.

UM released Local Band Does OK nearly 20 years ago, on June 21, 2002. The record was the band’s second and first with guitarist Jake Cinninger and percussionist Andy Farag. It was also the last to with original drummer, the late Mike Mirro, with current drummer Kris Myers joining in 2003.

The show began with the Local Band Does OK opening track, “Andy’s Last Beer” followed by staples “Uncle Wally” and “Hurt Bird Bath.” The band then dusted off the jazz-tinged instrumental “Headphones & Snowcones” for the first time since New Year’s Eve 2019, playing the rarity for just the ninth time overall, as per All Things Umphreys.

“Ringo,” originally from Cinninger’s pre-UM band Ali Baba’s Tahini, came next ahead of the instrumental “Blue Echo.” A big bust out came in the form of “The Empire State” with guitarist Brendan Bayliss joining Farag for the percussive number. UM last played the song on June 16, 2003 for a total gap of 1,955 shows and it saw action for just the third time since its debut in 2002. “White Man’s Moccasins” closed out the first frame.

Staples “Prowler,” “2nd Self” and “Roulette” got the second set underway before the band unshelved “Dough Bro.” The country-tinged tune composed by Cinninger and bassist Ryan Stasik was last played on May 27, 2004. Classics “Water” and “Nothing Too Fancy” (also from the ABT catalog) brought the album recreation to a close.

With time left in the second set UM went from oldies to debuting their latest single, “I Don’t Know What I Want,” followed by another vintage tune, “Partyin’ Peeps” to wrap up the second set. The staple “Slacker” served as the encore. Check out a clip from Andy Farag of Bayliss on percussion on “The Empire State” as well as segment of “White Man’s Moccasins” below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZCjioyF4gy/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CZBL_stOtDA/?utm_medium=copy_link

Setlist (via All Things Umphreys)

Set One: Andy’s Last Beer, Uncle Wally, Hurt Bird Bath, Headphones & Snowcones, Ringo, Blue Echo > The Empire State[1], White Man’s Moccasins

Set Two: Prowler > 2nd Self, Roulette, Dough Bro > Water > Nothing Too Fancy, I Don’t Know What I Want[2], Partyin’ Peeps

Encore: Slacker

Footnotes:

[1] with Brendan on percussion

[2] debut, original

Show Notes:

Umphrey’s performed their album Local Band Does O.K. across two sets

last The Empire State 2003-06-18 (1,955 shows)

last Dough Bro 2004-05-27 (1,811 shows)