moe. have had a remarkable career, laying down their exquisite grooves and jams for over three decades, producing an incredible discography of 24 albums. Featuring Al Schnier (guitars, vocals), Chuck Garvey (guitars/vocals), Rob Derhak (bass, vocals), Jim Loughlin (percussion, vibes) and Vinnie Amico (drums), the members are all incredibly talented musicians, with this acknowledged by various music magazines including Rolling Stone, Guitar World, Drum Magazine and Bass Player. The band released their initial records independently, on their label, Fatboy Records, although since 2012, they have made releases on the Sugar Hill imprint.
The band began life in 1989, when after encouragement from a friend, they performed at a small bar for a halloween show. A year later, they began to pursue the act seriously, going on to release their debut album in 1992, titled "Fatboy." Since their debut, they have gone from strength to strength, releasing a steady stream of albums to a positive reception, as well as embarking on extensive tours and becoming favorites on the nation's festival circuit. Despite playing as a band for 30 years, they continued to release critically acclaimed albums, including 2012's "What Happened to the La Las" and 2014's "No Guts, No Glory." If anything, there long career has seen their musicianship develop to impressive heights.
moe. have released several live albums, reflecting their astounding performances at venues around the world, including the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Paris and the UK. They have headlined several festivals, including Bonnaroo, Burg Herzberg and Fuji Rock Festival, as well as curating their own Summer Camp festival. They have shared the stage with the likes of the Allman Brothers, Dave Matthews Band, The Who, Robert Plant, Blues Traveler and Government Mule, constantly being at the forefront of the music scene for over three decades.
Formed at the University of Notre Dame in December 1997 by guitarist/vocalist Brendan Bayliss, bassist Ryan Stasik, keyboardist Joel Cummins, and drummer Mike Mirro, Umphrey's McGee combined members of Tashi Station and Stomper Bob, two Notre Dame rock bands. Early concerts consisted of both original material and cover songs by bands such as Guns N' Roses, Phish and The Grateful Dead. The final line up was established by 2001 and the band then began practicing intense improvisational exercises, one of their most successful taking place in a hotel in the Jimmy Stewart Ballroom so they later named their onstage improvisational excursions Jimmy Stewart.
Their first major release came in June 2002 and was titled 'Local Band Does OK', that summer the first annual Bonnaroo Music Festival took place and the band played to their largest crowd to date. The band sold more CDs than any other artist on a bill that included Widespread Panic, Trey Anastasio, and Norah Jones. In 2003 the band toured extensively, logging over 150 shows for the year before releasing 'Anchor Drops' in 2004 which was recorded all over California. They appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! alongside Huey Lewis in 2006 to support their next release 'Safety In Numbers' which was their first album to break the US Billboard top 200 and peaked top twenty on the US Indie chart.
That year they featured at most of the major US festivals playing in total 129 shows for the year before a three-night stand in Chicago for New Year's Eve. The band continued to develop their complex and ever changing live show. In 2010, the band debuted UMBowl, an interactive concert in 4 sets each with a different themes. Ticket purchasers are sent ballots to vote for the selections for two quarters, while the other two quarters are based upon interactive text submissions/votes.
moe. gives their audience the full rock experience with an incredible light show.
The dueling guitars of Al Schnier and Chuck Garvey complimented by Rob Derhak's signature bass slap, Vinnie Amico's drumming and Jim Loughlin's percussion give audiences ear candy for two sets plus an encore. moe.'s music varies from straight up rock and roll to americana to emotional ballads to punk and ska. moe. performances always leaves me wanting more.
Don't miss them!
What can I say about Umphrey's McGee? A whole lot actually. For starters, there are two things I can guarantee - you'll never see the same show twice and you'll get always a dose of face melting rock.
This explains the cult like fan base that attends their 100+ shows a year. This is a band of road warriors for a reason - they know how to put on a show. Umphrey's McGee is lights by Jefferson Waful (often considered the seventh member of the band by fans), guitar riffs and solos from two dueling leaders (Jake Cinninger and Brendan Bayliss), a keyboard wizard (Joel Cummins), a dynamic (and fashionable) bassist (Ryan Stasik), the most punctual drummer in today's music (Kris Meyers), and a percussionist (Andy Farag) bringing some extra umph to every song.
Most shows consist of two sets (with a perfect break in between to pound a drink or two) and a banging encore that will leave you wanting more. Don't make the mistake of missing this band because they're playing on week day, they bring it every night.