If i didnt believe in SF, and this was just another dopapod, i would say go for it. A lot of people already associate their sound with UM, and then it would just turn into “yea, they are UMs understudies.”
I can also say that almost all the people who i have gotten into Squeaky Feet over the past couple years, cant stand modern UM.
Fair enough, let that dude from Peoria who started an UM cover band play with them. I think his name was Tanner, or something. Or any of those other crappy IL jambands that never discovered their own improvisational ethos.
I just think Squeaky Feet, and Colin, are far too special of a group, and player, to allow themselves to be used as a gimmick for another band. Especially one that they are so closely associated with.
Edit: and again, if they decided it made sense for them, good for them, its just the concept that they should do it so that UM can play Bridgeless that rubs me the wrong way. UM made countless terrible decisions over the past decade. No one owes them anything, which is how it came off.
As a fan of the feet, the downside of them opening for any band (UM or otherwise), is they’d have a shorter set which allows them less time to showcase their strength in long form improv.
Whoever suggested it in the sense of SF sitting in with UM made me think of it like: “Hey wanna open for us so we can play some of our songs that need 2 guitars? Btw we’ll still pay you like an opener despite the fact you’ll be expected to sit in for 2-4 songs a night!”
Yep, exactly. They dont owe them any favors, and then that is exactly how you would then get permanently labeled as Umphrey’s understudies.
If that’s how this works, then Squeaky Feet should open for Oprah Winfrey so that they’re labeled as Oprah Winfrey understudies. She has a much bigger following. It’s really just a numbers game.
Does she still have a show? What year is it?
I am also fairly confident that the folks who would want this to happen care way more about UM being able to limp around on stage for a few more years than they do about SF success. Which i get, UM is some of y’alls favorite band, and you want it to last as long as possible and you want to see as many songs as possible.
So… what about a collab tour, after UM gets another guitarist? Paid as equals.
There’s much higher earning potential as a co-bill with Oprah.
Wow crazy take on an Umphrey’s messageboard.
It shouldnt be, but it actually is. But yea, I am sure you care more about Umphrey’s ability to play a 15 minute Bridgeless than you do about what it would/could do for Squeaky Feet. No hate, i just have the exact opposite stance. I dont give two fucks what happens to UM, and I do care what happens to SF.
most folks haven’t seen 200+ shows and are currently very burnt out on recent UM. I understand both sides, but your perspective is pretty unique in this situation.
I do accept that i am one of the only people on the planet who is dumb enough to have seen UM over 200x, so good call out.
It’s all moot anyway since I can tell you that the band and crew don’t like having openers from both a touring logistics and financial standpoint.
Few opening bands move the needle in any significant way from a sales standpoint, and any band that COULD help with ticket sales has more incentive to do their own thing. Like SqFt. Probably. Idk I’m not an accountant.
Umphrey’s, which regrettably has been bleeding audience for years now, I can’t imagine is in a financial position to try something just because “it could be fun!” It’s probably more like “how do we make sure we can keep paying our mortgages?”
But again, not an accountant.
I enjoyed when the New Deal opened for UM. Fun times.
But does Oprah have a Book Club (JO)?
a very fun Midwest run right before Covid. And a Moos aftershow. First (and probably only?) time I watched the same opener for 4 nights in a row without bailing on any of them.
Would you guys be upset if UM opened for goose, or would you be happy that they have an opportunity to get a lifeline?
Did you ever think that SF would be excited for the opportunity to open for UM? Even if there was no chance of a sit in, I think it’s something they all would be pumped about. UM as a one guitar band isn’t something any of us probably thought was a possibility. As a musician, getting to sit in with one of my favorite bands no matter what the scenario is is bucket list shit. It’s not about doing UM a favor.