Umphrey's McGee formed in South Bend, Indiana in 1997 with Brendan Bayliss on vocals and guitar, Joel Cummins on keyboards, Jake Cinninger on guitar, Ryan Stasik on bass, Kris Myers on drums, and Andy Farag on percussion. Their early material mixed rock, funk, and jazz, a combination that would define their approach for years to come.
In 2002 they released their fourth album, 'Local Band Does OK,' which included the song 'Baby Honey Sugar Darlin'.' That track, along with others like 'Der Bluten Kat' and 'Wife Soup,' showed their knack for weaving intricate arrangements with accessible melodies. Their sound has since absorbed elements from electronic music, bluegrass, and various world traditions, resulting in a discography that's both dense and varied.
The band's lineup has remained mostly stable, with Farag departing in 2002. They've built a reputation for complex studio work and improvisational live shows, touring regularly and developing a dedicated following. Their most recent studio album, 'It's Not Us,' came out in 2022.
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