Umphrey's McGee

Umphrey's McGee is a hard-edged jamband from Chicago, Illinois, whose music is often referred to as "progressive improvisation." The band's moniker is a twist on the name of a second cousin of bandleader Brendan Bayliss

Umphrey's McGee is a hard-edged jamband from Chicago, Illinois, whose music is often referred to as "progressive improvisation." The band's moniker is a twist on the name of a second cousin of bandleader Brendan Bayliss named Humphries McGee. In late 2004, the band was declared by Rolling Stone Magazine to be the successors to the jamband throne previously held by Phish. Besides being much heavier than its predecessor, the band also practices a completely different method of improvisation than Phish and other jambands such as the Grateful Dead.

Umphrey's McGee possesses deep musical roots. Though the band's approach to their live performances has much in common with Phish and the Dead (ever-changing setlists, constant improvisation, two sets per night, open-taping policy), they are much more influenced on a musical level by progressive rock bands such as Yes, King Crimson, Dream Theater, and Genesis, as well as heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden. However, there really isn't a style of popular music that Umphrey's does not cover. Artists covered in concert by Umphrey's range from Lionel Ritchie to Metallica to Toto to Snoop Dogg.