September 2009

I know what you’re thinking: This is going to be a bunch of layups like 2001: A Space Odyssey – or Being There, Star Wars and the James Bond theme song. That my friends, would be wrong. There were two critical criteria for this edition of Bust Outs: 1) it better be weird and 2) it better be funny.

Surprisingly, it took a good deal of digging to come up with a list of movie theme song covers that fit the bill as I would have expected to find dozens given the familiarity and fun of playing these numbers. Still, after a few days of searching, we finally have a pretty solid batch.

Wind Beneath My Wings (Beaches) – Phish, 11/28/95

To kick things off we have a gut buster of a one-timer from Phish, which doubles as my all time favorite Fishman tune. Paying homage to the one and only Colonel Bruce Hampton, Fishman sits him down in a chair on stage (with a newspaper from whatever reason) and serenades him with the question, “Did you ever know that you’re my hero?” Bette Midler may have just a slightly better voice, but Fishman has the love.

READ ON for more bust outs from the likes of Lotus and The Brew…

Mara Davis Interviews Trey Anastasio

Words: Alexander Wolff
Images: Jason Woodside

Grand Junction, Colorado is a beautiful place to see a show. As you approach this seemingly sleepy city from the West, the Colorado River is on your right and the mountains surround you with 360° of picturesque landscape. Naturally, this kind of thing will affect not only those going to see the show, but often times a band itself. Umphrey’s McGee was no different last Friday.

[Photos by Jason Woodside]

Mesa Theatre & Club is a 750-capacity venue, and being less than full, it lent itself to great sightlines and freedom of movement within the room. When Umphrey’s took the stage, the crowd erupted. While the set opener, Atmosfarag, might not have been the best choice, those in attendance quickly forgave this oversight as the band slid into a roaring version of August. With relaxed, patient jamming they took time to explore this tune and the results were prodigious. At this point in time it was also noted that it was percussionist Andy Farag’s birthday and everybody seemed more than happy to oblige a celebration.

From this point on, Umphrey’s McGee produced some of the most laid-back jamming this year has seen, and nothing seemed as though it were forced. They allowed their songs some room to breathe, and the outcome of this was seen in several jams that just blossomed, without having to be pushed so much as they were guided. Lead guitarist Jake Cinninger seemed to take more of a back seat tonight, allowing Brendan Bayliss’ guitar chops to shine more than usual. READ ON for more of Alex’s words and Jason’s photos…

U-Melt 09/19/2009 DAUD [MP3s, FLACs, STREAM] [Photo by Jeremy Gordon] This past  Saturday night, aggro-untzers U-Melt treated the attendees at the Wormtown Festival to a special set in which they