This fall, the dynamic Chicago-based sextet Umphrey’s McGee, already regarded as one of today’s most progressive and innovative live acts, will unleash ‘Death By Stereo’ (September 13, ATO), an album that cements their status as one of rock’s most audacious forces in the studio.
‘Death By Stereo’ is a lethal musical gumbo stewed by the band’s seemingly telepathic six members – Brendan Bayliss (guitar, vocals), Joel Cummins (keyboard, vocals), Ryan Stasik (bass guitar), Jake Cinninger (guitar, vocals), Kris Myers (drums, vocals) and Andy Farag (percussion) – who Entertainment Weekly calls “consummate musical alchemists, deftly reconfiguring sounds from rock’s vast panoply of styles.”
‘Death By Stereo’ finds the “fluid and majestic” (Washington Post Express) sextet’s feet firmly entrenched in hard-hitting rock while still exploring radical new territories: ‘Sticky Fingers’-era Rolling Stones romp on “Wellwishers,” Black Keys-style blues on “Domino Theory,” and horns-infused 70s funk on “Booth Love.” “Conduit” delivers the type of dual-guitar fireworks that Umphrey’s has become known for and “Miami Virtue” is an upbeat, kaleidoscopic blend of Phoenix and Pink Floyd.
Umphrey’s has been called an “unlikely role model” (Billboard) for their non-traditional approach to engaging their fan base through digital media. This includes the ongoing Stew Art Series, in which fans direct the band in real time via text messaging, and the pre-order campaign for 2009’s ‘Mantis,’ which found the band unveiling new layers of content based on the number of pre-orders sold. ‘Death By Stereo’ is the band’s first album released on ATO Records, home to artists such as My Morning Jacket, Drive-By Truckers, Dawes and John Butler Trio.
Umphrey’s will unveil the ‘Death By Stereo’ songs to fans new and old throughout the country for a series of shows that include the All Good Music Festival, Great South Bay Music Festival and four nights at the rock hot-spot Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn.
Umphrey’s McGee Fall Tour Dates:
9-2 Washington, D.C. – 9:30 Club
9-3 Washington, D.C. – 9:30 Club
9-4 Bethlehem, NY – Steel Jam
9-6 Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl
9-7 Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl
9-8 Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl
9-9 Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl
9-10 Hancock, NY – Catskill Chill
9-13 Rochester, NY – Water Street Music Hall
9-14 Concord, NH – Capitol Center for the Arts
9-15 Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
9-16 Northampton, MA – Calvin Theatre
9-17 Portland, ME – State Theatre
9-21 Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
9-22 Atlantic City, NJ – Showboat Atlantic City, House of Blues
9-23 Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater
9-24 Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
9-25 Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Amphitheatre
