Umphrey's McGee returns to DeKalb for benefit show
After six years, four albums and immeasurable critical acclaim, progressive/jam rockers Umphrey's McGee are returning to DeKalb Tuesday for an NIU-benefited charity show. In conjunction with Kickstand Productions, part of the proceeds will be donated to the February 14th NIU Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Limited-edition show posters will be sold, and the band is donating $5 from every copy of their 2007 "Live at the Murat" to the fund.
In addition, a raffle will be held before the show featuring autographed memorabilia donated by Chicago's own indie-rock pioneers Wilco.
"I reached out to Umphrey's because they used to play in DeKalb a lot and had some really strong ties to the area," said John Ugolini of Kickstand Productions.
"They jumped behind the idea of a benefit right away. I also reached out to Wilco and spoke to them about doing a show, but they weren't able to because they were touring. However, they had some material to donate to the cause. They had some limited-edition silkscreen posters that had been autographed by the band, some signed tour photos and T-shirts, and they really got behind the idea."
The South Bend, Ind.,-based outfit is recording an album scheduled for release later this year, and have announced their participation in both the Bonnaroo and Summer Camp music festivals this summer. Just off a brief stint in Europe, percussionist Andy Farag took some time to chat with us on the phone about the band, Tuesday's show and the effects of February 14.
Q. You guys just got back from Europe. How was that?
A. We just got back last week. It was good. We went (to) London for one show, Amsterdam for three, then spent about five days in Amsterdam. It was good going overseas, getting some feedback from people in Europe.
Q. What kind of feedback did you get?
A. People from all over, Germany and Ireland and Italy and the UK, were just glad they were actually able to see us. We don't get out there too often.
Q. You're promoting a recent live album. How's that going?
A. The live album ("Live at the Murat") came out in October; it's gotten good reviews. Rolling Stone gave it four stars. So, we got some good feedback from that. Now we're working on a studio album.
Q. How does your approach to the live show differ from your approach to the studio?
A. At our live show, we just brought in recording equipment, set it up, did it over a two-day run in Indianapolis, so we were able to pick and choose the best from both nights. In the studio, we go in with the thought process of being able to produce "tracks" more, make more concise songs. You probably won't hear too many long solos or improvisation on our studio albums. We tend to regard the live show and the studio as two different things.
Q. Do you guys have a history in DeKalb beyond selling out Otto's in 2002?
A. No, aside from Otto's we haven't played there for awhile. It'll be good to come back. Hopefully we can raise some money for the February 14 organization. I can't wait to get back there. Otto's is always a good time; we're always so close to Chicago, so we always had a bunch of friends who can come out. … It's almost like a hometown show.
Q. Is there a connection between Umphrey's and Wilco, or have they just donated items to the raffle out of their connection with the Chicago area as well?
A. I've met a couple of those guys, some of them have come out to our show and us to theirs, but maybe it's something that just fell together. It's cool that they're doing that.
Q. Was anyone in the band or crew directly affected by the events of February 14?
A. We were in San Francisco at the time, and to see DeKalb on national news, especially when we were so far from home, hit real close to home. I'm not aware that anyone from our organization was directly affected, but anything like that anywhere at anytime is bad, but if it's actually close to home, it hits really close. … We had this show booked before all this happened, and it's good that we were able to help out, hopefully makes some lives easier.
Q. What is something about the Umphrey's live show that other bands wouldn't attempt?
A. We're always taking chances on our live show. Every show, there's a certain element of risk involved. Some of our covers, we have a wide array of covers we play, anything from country to metal to hip-hop, we haven't seen any other bands out there that could try and do that.
Q. What can people expect from this show versus any other Umphrey's show?
A. We might bust out something special, there's always that chance. Knowing where we're at, where we're playing. … I mean it's always a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing; we write the set list the day of the show, so if any ideas pop into our heads, we might do it.
Q. Do you have anything to say to the DeKalb community, or to people who are coming to the show?
A. This show's going to be our return after many years. We're glad to be back, and we guarantee a rockin' show, that's for sure.
Donations will also be accepted at the show, or can be contributed online at niu.edu/memorial/scholarships.shtml. The all-ages concert will take place Tuesday at 9 p.m. at the Egyptian Theater, 135 N. Second St., in DeKalb. Tickets are $30 in advance or $32 at the door.
Kickstand Productions NIU benefit show
Starring: Umphrey's McGee
April 8
Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St., DeKalb
8 p.m., $30 in advance, $32 at the door