The Path of Least Assistance

Umphrey's McGee has developed into one of the heavyweights of the neo-Jam Band scene. They were formed in the late '90s at the University of Notre Dame, quickly moved to their new home base of Chicago and exploded onto the scene in the early with their improvisational wonder workings. Bassist Ryan Stasik describes their sound as "distinctly Umphrey's," which can mean anything from 20-minute improvisational jams to face-melting two-minute guitar solos to succinct, four-minute Pop/Rock gems.