NEARfest is pleased to welcome Umphrey's McGee, one of the premier modern day progressive music acts, to the NEARfest stage in Baker Hall at The Zoellner Arts Center on June 26th 2011.
Founded in 1997 in South Bend, Indiana, Umphrey's McGee soon made Chicago home base, and set their sights on becoming one of todays premier live acts. Over the course of the last ten years, the band has performed at festivals such as Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza, and continues to sell out shows in the nation's premier venues coast to coast. They have toured Europe multiple times and performed at Japan's Fuji Rock Festival in 2006.
The band consists of...
Brendan Bayliss - Guitar, vocals
Jake Cinninger - Guitar, vocals
Joel Cummins - Keyboard, piano, vocals
Andy Farag - Percussion
Kris Myers - Drums, vocals
Ryan Stasik - Bass
Together these virtuoso musicians make beautiful music together. Music that has been described as "progressive improvisation" , "improg" and "improgisation". Though they are ofter associated with the jam band world (because of their continually changing set lists, policy of open taping and two set nights) their music is most influenced by the likes of King Crimson, Zappa, Genesis, Dream Theater, Pink Floyd, The Police, Yes, Iron Maiden, Zeppelin and The Beatles. (I even read once that Bing Crosby is a big influence and for this fella that makes my day.)
So get ready for a highly entertaining night of killer musicianship, great compositions and intense improg. (without a bowl of noodles)
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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine
