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Umphrey's McGee is often called the next generation jam band. While they're known for ever-changing set lists and incessant touring, U.M.'s seemingly endless jams bear more resemblance to prog-rock bands like Frank Zappa and Genesis. The original members (keyboardist Joel Cummins, guitarist Brendan Bayliss, bassist Ryan Stasik and drummer Mike Mirro) met at the University of Notre Dame in 1997. Percussionist Andy Farag joined in 1998 as U.M. live shows gained notoriety with wacky covers like Peanuts theme "Linus and Lucy." While album sales remained low, popularity soared as audiences continued the jam-band tradition of bootleg taping and trading. In 2000, U.M. became a sextet with the addition of second lead guitarist Jake Cinninger. One of their first productive jam sessions was in the Jimmy Stewart Ballroom of a Chicago hotel, spawning the name "Jimmy Stewart" for their onstage improv excursions. In 2002, they recorded Local Band Does OKlahoma, featuring the last appearance of Mirro, who was later replaced by Kris Myers. With a slew of studio and live releases, two DVD releases and never-ending tour seasons, U.M. remain at the forefront of the fourth-generation jam movement.
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