Most everyone can recollect a New Years or two about a house party he wishes he hadn’t gone too. Brian Mincks and I didn’t have that in mind for this New Years. Instead, we made a lengthy drive out to Denver to see a relatively unknown band from South Bend, Ind. for three nights. To the uninitiated, three nights of the same band might sound monotonous. For jam band lovers, however, it is the perfect New Years. Driving 12 hours to do that just may indicate which side of the argument we stood on.
Umphrey’s McGee has grown immensely since its Notre Dame origination 19 years ago. After covering bands such as Phish, The Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd, the band eventually morphed into the sextet with a repertoire filled with originals and covers, all of which combined total almost 1,000 songs. Some pople call them a jam band, others a rock band, and sticklers call them progressive rock. But labels mean nothing in the venue when the house lights dim.
During night one at the Fillmore Auditorium, Umphrey’s enlisted the help of soul-masters The Nth Power and took the stage on the heels of a funky opener. Highlights from their first outing included “Attachments,” a new tune played once before, an undeniably funky “Resolution,” which led into the crowd favorite “Tribute to the Spinal Shaft,” and a soaring “Den” jam to conclude night one.
At last the three-set New Year’s Eve was upon us. Utilizing no opener, Umphrey’s came out strong with a favorite “Wappy Sprayberry,” the lights shining bright enough to get a tan. With help from a horn section, a debut original “Speak Up” ended set one. Set two included a focused “Example 1” and a cover of Squeeze’s 1981 hit “Tempted.” With just 10 minutes until the New Year, they fired into “Bright Lights Big City,” culminating in a euphoric balloon drop with the classic “Auld Land Syne” to ring in 2016. However, the night was not complete until they preformed a hilarious and slightly drunken cover of R Kelly’s “Ignition.”
The London Souls opened the night three victory lap. It was a heavy night for Umphrey’s, who called on local talent Jayden Carlson for help on some tunes. A heavy metal “Wizard Burial Ground” lasted 14 minutes. The run ended with thank you’s from the band.
A simple YouTube search will answer lingering questions about how a band can cultivate such devoted followers.