2023 celebrates the 25th anniversary for eclectic improv-rock band Umphrey’s McGee. Recently the band was thrown a curveball due to drummer, Kris Meyers, placement on the IR list. Meyers underwent shoulder surgery and will be missing UM fall tour. Improvising, UM has officially started fall tour with notable guest drummers behind the kit. On Thursday August 17, 2023 this experiment began at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. First up performing was Duane Trucks of Widespread Panic.
Trucks is a long-time friend of UM and his collaboration echoes the spirit of friendship and solidarity amongst these musicians. 25 years means a lot and when a member goes down community rallies. Opening night also featured drummer, Ilya Stemkovsky, a NJ resident known for his work with OM Trio and Brothers Past. He has also performed with UM at the Stone Pony since they have maintained a tenure at the Stone Pony beginning in the early 2000’s. Previous appearances include a drum jam in 2012 with UM members, Jake Cinninger and Andy Farag, for a cover of “Rock the Casbah” (the Clash) and a 2011 cover of “Bombtrack” (Rage Against the Machine) with Ilya on vocals. Jake and Andy also lent their talents on the drums last Thursday night.
UM history at the Stone Pony was discussed during a recent interview with UM bassist, Ryan Stasik. His impression of the club is that it is like a second home. The milestone of UM anniversary combined with the unique circumstances of Kris’ absence set the stage for an anticipated night. Adding to this anticipation was that UM would not be performing outside on the Summer Stage. Since 2010 UM has played that stage cementing this appearance as a Jersey Shore jamband tradition. UM has not played inside the Stone Pony since 2005 and the shock of this location change for 2023 resonated. While waiting to enter the show I met people who didn’t realize UM would be indoors until they arrived at the venue. Why this changed occurred created speculation amongst UM NJ fanbase. The answer is multi-factored and fated. Performing indoors served as the perfect launch pad for the personnel shift. A return to its roots for UM allowing them to feel their way through a new music dynamic in the estuary that is performing inside the Stone Pony. This indoor performance was scheduled prior to knowledge of Kris’ surgery. It was not a change made to accommodate his hiatus. This happy coincidence provided the perfect mix of sweat and proximity to deliver an intimate show that has imprinted itself into the Stone Pony UM lore like the famous guitars that decorate the venue’s walls.
Starting the night on the drums was UM percussionist, Andy Farag opening with “Hjimemashite” followed by “Nemo”. This opener was about process and the closeness to the stage allowed the crowd a real peak into the early process involved starting the set. On the Summer Stage the band is not this exposed and having to reveal imperfections to set the mix right and other jitters right in front of audience fed immediately into the uniqueness of tonight.
Next up on the kit was UM guitarist, Jake Cinniger for “Example 1” and “Sociable Jimmy”. The old-school familiarity of this songs drew the attention of the crowd towards in while the band trimmed the sails. Jake on drums and Andy back behind his percussion rig felt like a home away from home and the middle of the first set opened nicely. Ilya Stmekovsky joined UM on stage to finish the set on drums for all originals. “Conduit”, “I Don’t Know What I Want”, and “Ringo”. It was great to hear this early lock with a guest drummer and the local crowd, many of them friends with Ilya were elated by the pocket created by him peppered by Andy. This moment exemplified the spirit of camaraderie that would be this strong 1st set and evening.
Set 2 featured guest drummer Duane Trucks, who steam-rolled right out of the gate with an admirable rendition of complex UM original, “Bridgeless” (unfinished), into “Small Strides”. During my interview, Ryan relayed to me that Duane almost sat-in with UM in Austin, TX years ago, but the set was cancelled due to the rain. This set opening thundered with the chops of Trucks and brought high energy from the band and crowd. Next up were “Pure Saturation” into “Hiccup” adding to the delight of everyone. The only cover of the night came next. Ryan had mentioned earlier to me that part of the process for cover selection was the impact of current events in the music industry. He almost dropped me a scavenger hunt clue of the next song choice when he brought up that Robbie Robertson had recent passed during our interview. UM played, “Ophelia” (written by Robertson) for the 1st time since 2017. A 3 song segue “Day Nurse”, into “Glory”, back into finish “Bridgeless” followed to close out the set. During “Day Nurse”, the band also teased “Working Day and Night” (Michael Jackson). This high energy finish was bedazzled by the Stone Pony’s disco light, a feature of the indoor venue. This old-school sparkle combined with the improv mavericks on stage performing with their friend supporting them in a time of need crushed it. This was why UM played indoors this year!
For encore, UM performed “Flippy Floppy”. Joining them on percussion with Andy was IIya again and the backline of the band helped deliver a thank you. Thank you to the fans for their support packing the Stone Pony, thank you to the guest drummers who showed up to rock, and thank you to the universe for orchestrating the perfect setting for UM to launch an epic 1show for a fall tour that will be like no other. 25 years is just the start for UM and this night at the Stone Pony will not be forgotten.
Umphrey’s Mcgee: The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ August 17, 2023
(from https://allthings.umphreys.com/)
Set 1:Hajimemashite[1], Nemo[1], Example 1[2], Sociable Jimmy[2], Conduit[3], I Don't Know What I Want[3], Ringo[3]
Set 2:Bridgeless[4]-> Small Strides[4], Pure Saturation[4] > Hiccup[4], Ophelia[4], Day Nurse[5] > Glory[4] > Bridgeless[4]
Encore: Making Flippy Floppy[6]
[1] with Andy on drums
[2] with Jake on drums
[3] with Ilya Stemkovsky on drums
[4] with Duane Trucks on drums
[5] with Duane Trucks on drums; with Working Day and Night (Michael Jackson) teases
[6] with Duane on drums and Ilya on percussion with Andy
More information about UM and Fall Tour 2023 is available here at their website.
