1.) The Great Swap of 5/24/14 and 5/25/14 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4VUMsXuALE On Saturday of Summer Camp 2014 moe. swapped places with Umphrey’s McGee mid performance. While Umphrey’s played “Ringo” one member of moe. would take an Umphrey’s memeber’s place one-at-a-time as the assembled musicians from both bands transitioned into moe.’s “Tailspin.” Fans were abuzz with the possibility of Umphrey’s returning the favor, and the following day on May 25th during moe.’s performance of “Meat” Umphrey’s would indeed swap in and perform their own “Puppet String” to the delight of everyone assembled. To think this took place less than a year ago is amazing to me, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us this Memorial Day Weekend.
2.) All In Time on 5/26/07
One of the band’s sets the weekend of Summer Camp 2007 fell directly after an amazing performance from Les Claypool. During Claypool’s set it began to rain slightly as his band played “Precipitation”, sending me and my crew back into the woods to dry off and change clothes.
As we began preparations for our return to the stage, we could hear Umphrey’s take the stage with an amazing cover of “Black Sabbath.”
Immediately we went running towards the Moonshine Stage to ensure we didn’t miss any more of the action, fortunately reaching the top of the hill just as the sun peered back out. Umphrey’s took on their classic “All In Time” next.
I couldn’t have been happier.
3.) Mulche’s Odyssey on 5/23/09
Artist sit-ins are always extraordinary at Summer Camp, and when Les Claypool came out in his monkey mask with the whamola in tow during Umphrey’s McGee’s “Mulche’s Odyssey” in 2009 we knew we were in for a hell of a ride.4.) Rebubula on 5/24/13
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O2Wwbjm4UM Hearing a cover at Summer Camp isn’t unusual, but when Umphrey’s busted out a cover of moe.’s “Rebubula” it was something special. As luck have it that the same night moe. would also come out and cover Umphrey’s McGee’s “In The Kitchen.” “Rebubula” would later be voted on to be released in Umphrey’s Hall Of Fame 2013 album.5.) Wizard Burial Ground on 5/23/09
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uKcJL4rjM8 This Wizard Burial Ground is a perfect example as to why it’s best to be prepared before riding the rail at an Umphrey’s McGee show. The energy in the middle of that crowd while watching the sky explode from behind the stage as Wizard Burial Ground climaxed is indescribable.6.) The Brain Damaged Eggmen on 5/26/12
Summer Camp’s late night shows have been quite unique over the years. In 2012 Jake, Brendan, and Kris of Umphrey’s McGee got together with Aaron and Marc of The Disco Biscuits to re-assemble the Brain Damaged Eggmen. Tearing into the Beatles / Pink Floyd infused set, they created yet another unique memory for campers.7.) The Scaffolding Melee of 5/24/14
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wq9iiXzxWU Thinking Umphrey’s was playing a brand new “walkout” song as they prepared to take the stage for their second set at Summer Camp 2014 had all SCampers present focused in the wrong direction – it turns out the guys were back at the scaffolding near Waful’s lighting setup and were about to climb atop it for a special surprise. There the sextet performed a Scaffolding Melee on keyboards and drum pads for about 7 minutes, until one-by-one, the band members left for the stage to roll out into Hajimishite.8.) Saturday Morning Kick Ball
http://youtu.be/WhrC9DdnNJg For the last 4 years now Ryan Stasik has joined SCampers for what is a festival tradition, the Saturday morning Sunrise Kickball game. If you’re a morning person with a competitive streak, this is a must, and the same goes for any UM fan.9.) The Annual Golden Ticket Event
For the last three years Umphrey’s McGee has held a “Golden Ticket” event at Summer Camp.
Here’s the deal – they sell a limited quantity of tote bags for $20 apiece and each bag holds well over $20 worth of merchandise, some old and some new. While all totes contain cool Umphrey’s surprises, some buyers are lucky and end up with rare merch.
Ultimately though, everybody is in it for the Golden Ticket. Find one and it gets you, plus a friend, into every UM show for a year (excluding festivals). Not sure there’s anything more valuable out there for a true Umphreak.
