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Joel Cummins
I was able to catch my annual Umphrey’s McGee show at the Pageant in St. Louis on Mardi Gras eve. Besides music festivals, they always come to the Pageant once a year either in the fall or winter, and it’s really hard for me to miss them since I’ve been seeing them every year since 2005. When they first began their set, they got warmed up with “Drink My Drank” with some nice mardi gras themed purple, yellow, and green lighting. Then played “Plunger” off of my FAVORITE album Anchor Drops. Everyone of course screamed (including myself), since who doesn’t love hearing some oldies? As I was running around gathering and finding different friends I caught some of “2×2″ and “Comma Later”. Once I was settled into one spot with my friends, we busted into a sing-a-long to “Mantis”. Umphrey’s then completed their first set with the rest of “Plunger”.
Umphrey’s strolled out for their second set and started the with the smooth sounds of “Puppet String” showcasing Stasik’s funky bass playing, followed by another one of my favorite live songs, “40’s Theme”. Next up, they played another one of my favorites off of Anchor Drops, “Wife Soup”. My friends and I sang and danced it up hard to this number. The audience then when nuts when they played a Wing’s cover “Live and Let Die”, followed by another crowd favorite, “Bright Lights, Big City” off of The Bottom Half. Next, they played “Deeper”, and whenever I hear that song, all I see is Stasik rollerblading in short shorts like in their music video, I’m sure I’m not the only one too, haha. Lastly, they ended with the second half of “Mantis”. After enough cheering, Umphrey’s came out to play a silly song about each member called “Pay The Snucka” for the encore. Like usual, Umphrey’s put on a fantastic show. I loved how they included a very broad range of old and new songs this time, which left me extremely satisfied. Now I can’t WAIT to catch them again at Summer Camp in a couple months!
your girl,
-Mo
You may have been keeping tabs on the fiery 2012 political debates with Romney and Obama squaring off in a battle of health care reform, tax breaks for the rich and pure suit and tie debauchery on all fronts. However, on the sidelines an important battle in jamband land has slowly gained attention as percussionist Andy Farag and keyboardist Joel Cummins throw dirty funked-up blows across the stage. That’s right– the boys of Umphrey’s McGee have had enough and they’re not concerned with Obamacare of Romney’s 47% because they have hardcore stimulus packages of their own. Oooh dirty.
So, who really is the people’s President? The slickest melody maker that will take away suffering for all of UM nation? Farag stands firm by solid middle class values and is firnly rooted in his solidarity with all Um-freaks to create a more loving community in jam nation. Listen to his platform strong points HERE! Unfortunately, we hear nothing of free BBQ topped with Andy’s famous southern rub for all nor do I hear anything about UM dance parties filled with techno-colored care bears and moustache rides. Dismissing those strong points from his argument truly make me question his so called desire to unify the divisions singer Brendan Bayliss so fondly sings of.
Meanwhile, the weathered and wrinkled keys master Mr. Cummins , stands firmly by his belief and love in America. In fact, he repeats the point one too many times in his weak opening argument. He speaks of economic freedom and the ability to make our children’s dreams come true using tried and true good ol’ American ideals. He attacks Farag for his eratic drug use and inability to run UM nation while he’s all doped out in his apartment, teary eyed and eating cookie dough while banging around on a new drum set bought with the people’s money. Mister Cummins intent focus on some Candy Land version of childhood however just may prove how out of touch an old mind can be.
Ultimately, it it is up to you– the fans. Who will you trust to run UM nation?