Umphrey's McGee

Umphrey's McGee
From left to right: Jake Cinninger, Kris Myers, Ryan Stasik and Brendan Bayliss performing in April 2007.
Background information
Origin	South Bend, Indiana / Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres	Rock, progressive rock, jam, math rock, jazz fusion, funk rock
Years active	1997–present
Associated acts	Widespread Panic
Website	Official website
Members	Brendan Bayliss Joel Cummins Ryan Stasik Andy Farag Jake Cinninger Kris Myers
Past members	Mike Mirro

Umphrey's McGee is an American jam band originally from South Bend, Indiana. Although the band is part of the jam band scene, like Phish and the Grateful Dead (with ever-changing setlists, improvisation, two sets per night, open taping policy, etc.), they are much more influenced musically by progressive rock artists such as King Crimson, Yes, Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, and early Genesis, as well as heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden and Van Halen. The band also identifies The Police, The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin as primary influences. UM experiments with many musical styles, including rock, metal, funk, jazz, blues, electronic, bluegrass, and folk.

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 originals and cover songs, including Guns N' Roses' "Patience" and Vince Guaraldi's Peanuts theme "Linus and Lucy" as well as songs by Phish, moe., and The Grateful Dead. According to Cummins, "The name originated from a distant relative of Brendan's who shares a similar namesake. We've altered the name slightly."