WEBVTT
00:00:23.559 --> 00:00:26.579
Hey Jamheads, welcome back to Shecky's Jam Band,
00:00:26.739 --> 00:00:29.679
the show where we dive deep into the groove,
00:00:29.899 --> 00:00:32.280
the improvisation, and the magic behind the best
00:00:32.280 --> 00:00:34.960
jam bands on the planet. Today we're talking
00:00:34.960 --> 00:00:38.259
about a group that perfectly walks the line between
00:00:38.259 --> 00:00:42.219
precision and chaos. A band that's as tight as
00:00:42.219 --> 00:00:46.740
Rush, but as unpredictable as Fish. We're talking
00:00:46.740 --> 00:00:50.380
about Umphrey's McGee. The story of Monfries
00:00:50.380 --> 00:00:55.299
McGee starts back in 1997 at the University of
00:00:55.299 --> 00:01:00.439
Notre Dame. Guitarist Brendan Bayless and Joel
00:01:00.439 --> 00:01:04.840
Cummins, both from earlier campus projects, decided
00:01:04.840 --> 00:01:08.359
to team up with drummer Mike Moreau and bassist
00:01:08.359 --> 00:01:13.620
Ryan Stasek. The guys were just college friends
00:01:13.620 --> 00:01:17.140
jamming for fun, but the chemistry was instant.
00:01:17.549 --> 00:01:21.230
They started gigging around South Bend and quickly
00:01:21.230 --> 00:01:24.450
developed a reputation for their technical chops
00:01:24.450 --> 00:01:28.969
and fearless improvisation. In 2000, they released
00:01:28.969 --> 00:01:33.310
their first album, Greatest Hits Vol. 3. Yes,
00:01:33.310 --> 00:01:36.689
they led with that name. Total jam band humor.
00:01:37.329 --> 00:01:39.750
They began drawing a serious cult following.
00:01:40.510 --> 00:01:43.730
By the early 2000s, the lineup solidified with
00:01:43.730 --> 00:01:48.459
Jake Sinninger on guitar, Chris Myers on drums,
00:01:49.379 --> 00:01:54.379
and later Andy Farag and Ben Atkind adding percussion
00:01:54.379 --> 00:01:58.439
and rhythm texture. So what's with the name Unfreeze
00:01:58.439 --> 00:02:01.780
McGee? Turns out it came from a friend's father,
00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:06.640
an actual guy named Unfree McGee. Those quirky
00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:09.979
names stuck with a joke between the bandmates.
00:02:10.599 --> 00:02:13.439
When it came time to pick something official,
00:02:14.020 --> 00:02:17.199
they went with it. It's got that perfect blend
00:02:17.199 --> 00:02:20.580
of weirdness and originality that fits their
00:02:20.580 --> 00:02:25.580
vibe. Unfree McGee's sound is a mashup of genres,
00:02:26.479 --> 00:02:29.599
which includes progressive rock, metal, funk,
00:02:29.759 --> 00:02:34.360
jazz, and electronica, and sometimes all in one
00:02:34.360 --> 00:02:38.879
song. Their masters add structured improvisation,
00:02:39.099 --> 00:02:41.740
meaning that they build frameworks with jams,
00:02:41.860 --> 00:02:45.520
but always leave the room to explore. Here are
00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:48.620
a few must -listen tracks if you're diving in.
00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:51.699
In the Kitchen, a crowd favorite that starts
00:02:51.699 --> 00:02:55.139
as a melodic rock tune and often stretches into
00:02:55.139 --> 00:02:58.400
an extended jam with beautiful guitar interplay.
00:02:59.479 --> 00:03:03.719
Divisions, this is classic umphries. Epic, multi
00:03:03.719 --> 00:03:07.580
-part and cinematic. Their prog roots are on
00:03:07.580 --> 00:03:11.080
full display here. Another song called Puppet
00:03:11.080 --> 00:03:14.520
String, a high -energy track that always explodes
00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:19.680
live with deep improvisational grooves. 1348
00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:23.300
is a fast -paced, intricate, and showcase of
00:03:23.300 --> 00:03:29.080
their musicianship. Bridgeless is heavy, spacey,
00:03:29.259 --> 00:03:32.379
and full of dynamic jams that can last 20 minutes
00:03:32.379 --> 00:03:37.120
or more. Now, let's talk about their jams because
00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:40.889
Umphrey's live... is where the real magic happens.
00:03:41.590 --> 00:03:44.530
They're known for their Jimmy Stewart's completely
00:03:44.530 --> 00:03:48.069
improvised sections where the band creates new
00:03:48.069 --> 00:03:52.030
music live on stage, often later developing those
00:03:52.030 --> 00:03:55.449
moments into full songs. Some of their legendary
00:03:55.449 --> 00:04:00.270
jams include Red Rocks 2016, the song Bridgeless
00:04:00.270 --> 00:04:04.189
transitioning into All In Time, over 25 minutes
00:04:04.189 --> 00:04:08.509
of interwoven themes, perfect transitions, and
00:04:08.509 --> 00:04:11.550
tension release moments that prove their studio
00:04:11.550 --> 00:04:16.149
level precision on stage. New Year's Eve 2014,
00:04:16.870 --> 00:04:19.649
Nothing Too Fancy. It's the name of the song.
00:04:20.230 --> 00:04:22.990
This one spirals into electronic territory with
00:04:22.990 --> 00:04:26.509
Joel's synths building into futuristic landscapes
00:04:26.509 --> 00:04:31.529
while Jake shreds over top. Wappy Sprayberry.
00:04:32.629 --> 00:04:35.769
Any version you can listen to that song, really.
00:04:36.569 --> 00:04:40.980
The ultimate Umfrey's McGee groove jam. Danceable,
00:04:41.139 --> 00:04:43.560
unpredictable, and often morphs into completely
00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:48.620
new songs mid -jam. Last but not least, the song
00:04:48.620 --> 00:04:52.279
Plunger, transitioning into puppet string as
00:04:52.279 --> 00:04:55.779
it segues from one song to the other. These transitions
00:04:55.779 --> 00:04:59.399
showcase their ability to move between time signatures
00:04:59.399 --> 00:05:03.240
and moods without missing a beat. Their fans,
00:05:04.079 --> 00:05:08.149
Umfreaks, Love cataloging these jams like deadheads
00:05:08.149 --> 00:05:11.230
with set lists. There's even a fan base that
00:05:11.230 --> 00:05:14.730
tracks every unique transition and improv section.
00:05:16.009 --> 00:05:19.230
Now, here's some unique facts for you about Umphrey's
00:05:19.230 --> 00:05:22.730
McGee. A few cool nuggets for you. They were
00:05:22.730 --> 00:05:26.550
one of the first jam bands to livestream concerts
00:05:26.550 --> 00:05:30.170
and encourage fan recordings. Their shows are
00:05:30.170 --> 00:05:33.110
known for intense light shows, rivaling even
00:05:33.110 --> 00:05:37.600
Arena Axe. They've done mash upsets like combining
00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:41.600
Talking Heads with Nirvana or Prince with Michael
00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:45.920
Jackson that show off both humor and technical
00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:49.639
genius. They've released over 20 official live
00:05:49.639 --> 00:05:52.920
albums and hundreds of downloadable show recordings.
00:05:53.699 --> 00:05:56.699
They've also carved out their own festival scene
00:05:56.699 --> 00:06:00.699
being a staple at summer camp, Red Rocks, and
00:06:00.699 --> 00:06:04.300
their own curated events like UM Bowl. where
00:06:04.300 --> 00:06:09.500
fans vote on what band will play and they improvise
00:06:09.500 --> 00:06:13.379
in themed quarters like a musical sporting event.
00:06:14.060 --> 00:06:17.600
On Frees McGee is the thinking person's jam band.
00:06:18.160 --> 00:06:23.139
Cerebral yet visceral, precise yet spontaneous.
00:06:24.279 --> 00:06:27.300
They've managed to blend prog rock's complexity
00:06:27.300 --> 00:06:30.540
with jam culture's free spirit and they do it
00:06:30.540 --> 00:06:33.980
with relentless energy and humor. So, if you
00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:36.800
love your jams tight but adventurous, and your
00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:40.819
guitar solos just a bit dangerous, it's time
00:06:40.819 --> 00:06:44.160
to dive into the world of Unfreeze McGee. This
00:06:44.160 --> 00:06:46.920
has been Shecky's Jam Bands, where the groove
00:06:46.920 --> 00:06:50.439
never stops. Don't forget to follow, share, and
00:06:50.439 --> 00:06:54.360
send me your favorite UM jams to feature on future
00:06:54.360 --> 00:06:58.680
episodes. Until next time, keep on jamming, and
00:06:58.680 --> 00:06:59.879
stay weird my friends.
00:00:23.559 --> 00:00:26.579
Hey Jamheads, welcome back to Shecky's Jam Band,
00:00:26.739 --> 00:00:29.679
the show where we dive deep into the groove,
00:00:29.899 --> 00:00:32.280
the improvisation, and the magic behind the best
00:00:32.280 --> 00:00:34.960
jam bands on the planet. Today we're talking
00:00:34.960 --> 00:00:38.259
about a group that perfectly walks the line between
00:00:38.259 --> 00:00:42.219
precision and chaos. A band that's as tight as
00:00:42.219 --> 00:00:46.740
Rush, but as unpredictable as Fish. We're talking
00:00:46.740 --> 00:00:50.380
about Umphrey's McGee. The story of Monfries
00:00:50.380 --> 00:00:55.299
McGee starts back in 1997 at the University of
00:00:55.299 --> 00:01:00.439
Notre Dame. Guitarist Brendan Bayless and Joel
00:01:00.439 --> 00:01:04.840
Cummins, both from earlier campus projects, decided
00:01:04.840 --> 00:01:08.359
to team up with drummer Mike Moreau and bassist
00:01:08.359 --> 00:01:13.620
Ryan Stasek. The guys were just college friends
00:01:13.620 --> 00:01:17.140
jamming for fun, but the chemistry was instant.
00:01:17.549 --> 00:01:21.230
They started gigging around South Bend and quickly
00:01:21.230 --> 00:01:24.450
developed a reputation for their technical chops
00:01:24.450 --> 00:01:28.969
and fearless improvisation. In 2000, they released
00:01:28.969 --> 00:01:33.310
their first album, Greatest Hits Vol. 3. Yes,
00:01:33.310 --> 00:01:36.689
they led with that name. Total jam band humor.
00:01:37.329 --> 00:01:39.750
They began drawing a serious cult following.
00:01:40.510 --> 00:01:43.730
By the early 2000s, the lineup solidified with
00:01:43.730 --> 00:01:48.459
Jake Sinninger on guitar, Chris Myers on drums,
00:01:49.379 --> 00:01:54.379
and later Andy Farag and Ben Atkind adding percussion
00:01:54.379 --> 00:01:58.439
and rhythm texture. So what's with the name Unfreeze
00:01:58.439 --> 00:02:01.780
McGee? Turns out it came from a friend's father,
00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:06.640
an actual guy named Unfree McGee. Those quirky
00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:09.979
names stuck with a joke between the bandmates.
00:02:10.599 --> 00:02:13.439
When it came time to pick something official,
00:02:14.020 --> 00:02:17.199
they went with it. It's got that perfect blend
00:02:17.199 --> 00:02:20.580
of weirdness and originality that fits their
00:02:20.580 --> 00:02:25.580
vibe. Unfree McGee's sound is a mashup of genres,
00:02:26.479 --> 00:02:29.599
which includes progressive rock, metal, funk,
00:02:29.759 --> 00:02:34.360
jazz, and electronica, and sometimes all in one
00:02:34.360 --> 00:02:38.879
song. Their masters add structured improvisation,
00:02:39.099 --> 00:02:41.740
meaning that they build frameworks with jams,
00:02:41.860 --> 00:02:45.520
but always leave the room to explore. Here are
00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:48.620
a few must -listen tracks if you're diving in.
00:02:48.939 --> 00:02:51.699
In the Kitchen, a crowd favorite that starts
00:02:51.699 --> 00:02:55.139
as a melodic rock tune and often stretches into
00:02:55.139 --> 00:02:58.400
an extended jam with beautiful guitar interplay.
00:02:59.479 --> 00:03:03.719
Divisions, this is classic umphries. Epic, multi
00:03:03.719 --> 00:03:07.580
-part and cinematic. Their prog roots are on
00:03:07.580 --> 00:03:11.080
full display here. Another song called Puppet
00:03:11.080 --> 00:03:14.520
String, a high -energy track that always explodes
00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:19.680
live with deep improvisational grooves. 1348
00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:23.300
is a fast -paced, intricate, and showcase of
00:03:23.300 --> 00:03:29.080
their musicianship. Bridgeless is heavy, spacey,
00:03:29.259 --> 00:03:32.379
and full of dynamic jams that can last 20 minutes
00:03:32.379 --> 00:03:37.120
or more. Now, let's talk about their jams because
00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:40.889
Umphrey's live... is where the real magic happens.
00:03:41.590 --> 00:03:44.530
They're known for their Jimmy Stewart's completely
00:03:44.530 --> 00:03:48.069
improvised sections where the band creates new
00:03:48.069 --> 00:03:52.030
music live on stage, often later developing those
00:03:52.030 --> 00:03:55.449
moments into full songs. Some of their legendary
00:03:55.449 --> 00:04:00.270
jams include Red Rocks 2016, the song Bridgeless
00:04:00.270 --> 00:04:04.189
transitioning into All In Time, over 25 minutes
00:04:04.189 --> 00:04:08.509
of interwoven themes, perfect transitions, and
00:04:08.509 --> 00:04:11.550
tension release moments that prove their studio
00:04:11.550 --> 00:04:16.149
level precision on stage. New Year's Eve 2014,
00:04:16.870 --> 00:04:19.649
Nothing Too Fancy. It's the name of the song.
00:04:20.230 --> 00:04:22.990
This one spirals into electronic territory with
00:04:22.990 --> 00:04:26.509
Joel's synths building into futuristic landscapes
00:04:26.509 --> 00:04:31.529
while Jake shreds over top. Wappy Sprayberry.
00:04:32.629 --> 00:04:35.769
Any version you can listen to that song, really.
00:04:36.569 --> 00:04:40.980
The ultimate Umfrey's McGee groove jam. Danceable,
00:04:41.139 --> 00:04:43.560
unpredictable, and often morphs into completely
00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:48.620
new songs mid -jam. Last but not least, the song
00:04:48.620 --> 00:04:52.279
Plunger, transitioning into puppet string as
00:04:52.279 --> 00:04:55.779
it segues from one song to the other. These transitions
00:04:55.779 --> 00:04:59.399
showcase their ability to move between time signatures
00:04:59.399 --> 00:05:03.240
and moods without missing a beat. Their fans,
00:05:04.079 --> 00:05:08.149
Umfreaks, Love cataloging these jams like deadheads
00:05:08.149 --> 00:05:11.230
with set lists. There's even a fan base that
00:05:11.230 --> 00:05:14.730
tracks every unique transition and improv section.
00:05:16.009 --> 00:05:19.230
Now, here's some unique facts for you about Umphrey's
00:05:19.230 --> 00:05:22.730
McGee. A few cool nuggets for you. They were
00:05:22.730 --> 00:05:26.550
one of the first jam bands to livestream concerts
00:05:26.550 --> 00:05:30.170
and encourage fan recordings. Their shows are
00:05:30.170 --> 00:05:33.110
known for intense light shows, rivaling even
00:05:33.110 --> 00:05:37.600
Arena Axe. They've done mash upsets like combining
00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:41.600
Talking Heads with Nirvana or Prince with Michael
00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:45.920
Jackson that show off both humor and technical
00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:49.639
genius. They've released over 20 official live
00:05:49.639 --> 00:05:52.920
albums and hundreds of downloadable show recordings.
00:05:53.699 --> 00:05:56.699
They've also carved out their own festival scene
00:05:56.699 --> 00:06:00.699
being a staple at summer camp, Red Rocks, and
00:06:00.699 --> 00:06:04.300
their own curated events like UM Bowl. where
00:06:04.300 --> 00:06:09.500
fans vote on what band will play and they improvise
00:06:09.500 --> 00:06:13.379
in themed quarters like a musical sporting event.
00:06:14.060 --> 00:06:17.600
On Frees McGee is the thinking person's jam band.
00:06:18.160 --> 00:06:23.139
Cerebral yet visceral, precise yet spontaneous.
00:06:24.279 --> 00:06:27.300
They've managed to blend prog rock's complexity
00:06:27.300 --> 00:06:30.540
with jam culture's free spirit and they do it
00:06:30.540 --> 00:06:33.980
with relentless energy and humor. So, if you
00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:36.800
love your jams tight but adventurous, and your
00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:40.819
guitar solos just a bit dangerous, it's time
00:06:40.819 --> 00:06:44.160
to dive into the world of Unfreeze McGee. This
00:06:44.160 --> 00:06:46.920
has been Shecky's Jam Bands, where the groove
00:06:46.920 --> 00:06:50.439
never stops. Don't forget to follow, share, and
00:06:50.439 --> 00:06:54.360
send me your favorite UM jams to feature on future
00:06:54.360 --> 00:06:58.680
episodes. Until next time, keep on jamming, and
00:06:58.680 --> 00:06:59.879
stay weird my friends.
