Watch Umphrey’s McGee Go From Smooth Jazz to Face-Melting Rock with This Pro-Shot “Remind Me”
Umphrey’s McGee have always been an eclectic musical outfit. They can hit you with some soft, intricate playing one second then turn it up to 11 and smack you with aggressive, equally intricate prog-rock riffs the next. The band’s new album, it’s not us, is a perfect testament to that ability, no more so than in the track “Remind Me.”
it’s not us, which helps Umphrey’s celebrate their 20th anniversary this year, was also the focus of their recent and upcoming tour dates, and in the interim between the two legs, the band has shared some pro-shot footage of their performance of “Remind Me” from one of their two shows at North Carolina’s ExploreAsheville.com Arena (admittedly terrible name, admittedly great branding) earlier this month.
On the album, “Remind Me” kicks off with a funky riff and progression from guitarist Jake Cinninger (who graciously released an instructional video of said progression) before some lilting vocals from Brendan Bayliss, after which the group slides into some metal drumbeats and piercing guitar. Quite the juxtaposition, yet Umphrey’s took it a step further in Asheville, giving Cinninger a middle section where he showcased some jazz-guitar chops with some absolutely beautiful runs. After that, it was face-melting time—something at which Cinninger is equally skilled.
Seriously, if you know someone who’s never heard of Umphrey’s McGee, this might be the video to show them. Multiple sides of the band, well-executed and in pro-shot glory. Watch “Remind Me” below.