As the band kicked things off with a jam based on the first words up on the screen “mudslide on mars” we were off. My initial thought was that it was funny to see Umphrey’s up on stage playing for this small group of people but no one was watching them as they were all looking down at their phones texting away. I also texted multiple messages, but quickly decided to let the others choose the themes as my texts did not appear on the screen. I figured it would be more fun to watch the screen along with the band and watch them tackle the different themes that went up.
With each new phrase on the board, usually Brendan would speak into the talkback mic to the other guys then they would take the jam in a new direction. Depending on the phrase, they might suggest a certain key for its happy or sad feel, etc. Some of the themes of the first section included phrases like “balloon boy,” “slashing tires,” “funky imperial death march,” and “I’m unemployed.” There were lots of slides on the strings and puncture sounds for slashing tires and I’m unemployed turned into a jazzy jam with Jake doing vocals about being a poor jazz musician with no day job. The bassist, Ryan Stasik, happened to be wearing a Hall and Oates t-shirt, so the text of “Hall and Oates make a porno” was particularly funny. The last theme of the section was “slowly spiraling down” which the band did and then stopped and we had some Q&A time.
Wade came out into the crowd and let people ask the band questions. People asked who writes the set lists, how much time they spend together off the road, and about the influence of other bands on their music – to name a few. The guys were joking and having fun with the answers, but also gave us some great information. There was one point when a guy in the audience was asked by Ryan if his green and yellow jersey was a University of Oregon shirt to which he replied “Packers” much to the chagrin of the band. Then they broke back into the jamming again to themes like “ping pong jazz,” “swine flu,” (they all coughed and sniffled), “Jake and Brendan only” (while the crowd was hoping for a double guitar shred-fest, they decided to do a vocal jam instead…psych!), and finished the section out with a hard slamming “skydiving with no parachute.” During one of the Q&A sessions, Jake described the genesis of the S2 series being based on Brian Eno’s “oblique strategies” cards he developed in the 70s in an effort to flesh out creative ideas in artists and make them think differently. You could tell the band really enjoyed being pushed to jam to themes they would not necessarily have thought of themselves.
After the final improv section (which included such texted jam themes as “Andy fart solo,” and “saving the princess” where Jake pretended to be the princess stuck in the tower and Brendan the prince who wanted to see her tits), the band finished up. By this time everyone was pretty loose and was feeling comfortable with the concept. It was then announced that the guys would be hanging out for the next 30 or 45 minutes for signatures, pictures, and discussion. I quickly made the rounds with my laminate and had everyone sign it for me. I chatted with Andy for a bit and also talked to Jake about the recording processes involved with producing different feels for the multiple guitar solos on the album Mantis. The band and crew couldn’t have been nicer and it was a pleasure to have some time to talk face to face with them. For me, this was probably the highlight of the entire event.
As things were winding down, I asked Jake if there was any way they could play the song “Mantis” at that night’s show in Portland. He quickly replied that they were definitely going to play the song later that night as an encore. While I felt like it was cheating a little, I also knew I paid a good price for that inside information and was stoked to be in the know. The last few of us trickled out of the venue, stopping by the merch table to see Don and pick up our signed CD of the day’s jam and Q&A sessions. The experience was very worthwhile for the serious Umphrey’s fan. My only complaint would be that it was difficult for your text to “make the cut” and get up on the screen, so there wasn’t as much of a group jam feel as I was expecting. But the hospitality, fun jams, cool swag, and quality face time with the band made it an experience I will always cherish.
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A look at the inaugural Stew Art Series show at Milwaukee’s Eagles Ballroom on 10/3/09.
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John Zinkand has been a columnist at Jambands.com for the past eight years.
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