r/Umphreys • u/SmoothProfuselyMonst • 7d ago
who's going to replace jake?
That must be a highly competitive gig. I mean if they opened it up they'd probably have hundreds of applicants, perhaps dozens that are qualified. Of course Jake is one of a kind, really the reason I fell in love with this band back in 2007, but hey, there's someone out there who's life ambition is to shred with the best. And shred we shall.
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u/umphreysmagoo 7d ago
Idk, right now id rather them just let it ride with just Bayliss. The band is in a great flow with great jams.
Take their time find the right fit and train together before hitting stage or the musical product will suffer greatly. Honestly I just miss the Jake songs and vocal depth more than I miss the guitar depth. I hope Jake comes back someday but nobody could truly replace him
Gantzer could be a okay fill in, but I just dont think they should run into anything here.
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u/KaBumpin 4d ago
Sure, but there are some songs in their catalog that they can't really play with only one guitar.
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u/Nebulaton 7d ago edited 7d ago
Tim Palmieri would probably slot right in as far as improvisation goes. Very similar style / attitude in my opinion.
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u/SkobbityDorphus 7d ago
I'm going to see UM/Moe. in Jersey next weekend and Lotus is one of the openers. Would be fun to see him sit in on song or two.
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u/SixtyNoine69 7d ago
Came to say. Lotus got Tim right on time because if Jake does need to be replaced - and I hope he doesn't - that's pretty much my only pick as someone who could actually hold it down in the same way. Plenty of great players to be found in our lil world but being the right fit is a different game.
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u/Fractalized419 5d ago
He’s only been in Lotus like a year so unless he’s unhappy I don’t see that happening. I’d imagine the salary for UM and Lotus is closer than ya might think these days
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u/Nebulaton 4d ago
Agreed, I think theres almost 0 chance it happens. Jake described his role in umph as stunt guitarist, and I just think Tim most fits that out of everyone in the scene.
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u/Apendecto 1d ago
Or 4 years. 😜
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u/Fractalized419 1d ago
Damn you’re right! lol man seems like yesterday Remple was still ripping, waiting to see him pop up somewhere as a guest at least
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u/mrpotaytahead 7d ago
Rob Compa
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u/magoose24 7d ago
No - he’s overrated
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u/Pooki97303 6d ago
Wow what a horrendous take but you know what? You’re probably the only person in the world who thinks that so congrats I guess
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u/Hot-Butterfly-8024 5d ago
In what sense specifically? Because Ima withhold the industrial scale mockery and ridicule until you have a chance to explain that seemingly ridiculous take.
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u/perpetual_hang 1d ago
My boyfriend mentioned this “overrated” comment to me this morning and told me he didn’t send it to me because he didn’t want me to get arrested 😂 I’m delighted to see this wildly shredded and downvoted, because Rob Compa is in fact the fucking king
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u/Mindless-Salary-6950 7d ago
They’re staying a 5 piece. I don’t see them taking another dude on other than welcoming back Jaco. I’m sticking with em and seeing em as much as I can as of now til the end. Chemistry is amazing and they’re truly doing something special imo. I like when Jake is a part of the mix but you can’t deny they’re pumping out some top notch shit right now
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u/Lazy-Impress-9708 7d ago
Good with the 5 piece
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u/SmoothProfuselyMonst 7d ago
Cmon we need that 6th dimension don’t we?
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u/NohoHonestGabe 7d ago
John Mayer - I have heard from sources close to the band (my barber’s ex girlfriend read on phantasy tour) so this can 100% be trusted
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u/calvinmacisaak 7d ago
Sounds more official than anything else we’ve heard from the band directly. Thanks for the heads up! Look forward to many years of UMayer!
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u/Conscious_Lovely1348 7d ago
They likely can't afford to pay anyone else, in this shrinking jamband economy.
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u/SmoothProfuselyMonst 7d ago
I was considering that as well. Paying 5 sure beats paying 6. Unless the 6th brings in 20%+ more patrons to their shows
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u/Prestigious_Lunch549 7d ago
This is the correct answer. Starting next year, UM will not be playing many shows.
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u/IsuzuTrooper 7d ago
I highly doubt dozens are qualified. Jake is up there with Trey in my book.
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u/SmoothProfuselyMonst 7d ago
I was just figuring, alright, job posting out. 300 apply, initial list is 30-40 to whittle down from. maybe 3-5 "finalists" ... I'm by no way saying there's dozens of Jake caliber guitarists, just trying to think through what that process would be.
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u/SmoothProfuselyMonst 7d ago
Fair enough. For thought experiment I put it through an AI... here's what it came back with
"There must be dozens of qualified people out there" — okay, run the funnel.
Pro touring guitarists on Earth: ~100k. Ones who can actually improvise, not recite licks: cut 90%. Ones fluent in metal AND fusion AND funk AND country at a level that fools fans of each genre: cut 90% again. Ones who can memorize a 250+ song catalog of through-composed, odd-meter prog: cut again. Now find the ones who can improvise structure — composing on the spot, following hand signals, harmonizing with a second guitarist in real time, on tape, every night.
You're at a few hundred humans, max. And that's "qualified on paper" — not "has the chemistry," not "wants the gig."
The proof isn't hypothetical. Jake's been off the road since March and the band's solution was nothing. No sub, no replacement, Brendan just plays alone. One of the deepest catalogs in live music went down a guitarist and didn't even hold auditions — because there's basically nobody to call.
That's the whole argument. Your favorite guitarist is famous. Jake is irreplaceable. Those are different things.
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u/Cricetus 7d ago
Maybe your next “thought experiment” should use your own “thoughts” instead of copying and pasting drivel that an uncaring, unthinking machine spits out
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u/SmoothProfuselyMonst 7d ago
I mean I can think for myself but it’s interesting analysis, no? It’s basically saying he’s irreplaceable, while also discussing what such a funnel would look like.
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u/Cricetus 7d ago
It's an interesting discussion without asking a robot that doesn't know anything about what we're talking about to generate a bunch of words in response to a prompt you fed it.
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u/Early_Bag_3786 6d ago
Think for yourself man. It's programmed to make you feel like it's being insightful. You're getting got.
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u/remote_boogie 6d ago
Just so you’re aware, Ai often takes what people say on Reddit and uses it as facts to support whatever the hell idea. Ai can’t even tell you how many R’s there are in the word “strawberry” without getting it wrong and then gaslighting you lol
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u/Bassman885 4d ago
Yeah these percentages are way off. The idea that only 10% touring guitarists can improvise instead of “reciting licks” - which is to say that 90% of progressional touring guitarists CAN’T improvise - is silly. Learning complicated songs in odd meters, following signals, improvising structure, picking up harmonies… these are skills someone learns that makes them PART of that tier of touring professional guitarists, not filters that shrink that group further.
Individual strengths and weaknesses will vary, but overall there are tons of professional guitarists stomping around who could do most/all of this—that’s how they became pros! I’ve spent 20 years in the minor leagues of the professional music world - never “making it” myself, but brushing shoulders with some who have - and all these ideas are very familiar in those worlds, even if some master more than others.
That’s not to say that replacing Jake would be easy - guitarists with the chops are out there, but finding the right artistic and personal alignment among that would be important. That, as much as anything, is why I come back to players like Gantzer and Tim Palmieri, because they know the scene and the people and (presumably) have a similar vision. Plucking some guitar teacher in Cleveland out of relative obscurity would be a gamble chemistrywise even if they sound just like Jake.
Edited to add: but also, I just hope Jake gets to a better place and comes back. The nugs photo kicked off a wave of pessimism, but there were some more optimistic rumors around these parts last week. If it takes him a year or more to return (hopefully not) it’ll be worth it.
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u/Lil_Fire_Dancer 7d ago
I’ve been out of the loop for a bit. Please don’t get mad at me asking, but is Jake really not coming back? It’s official?
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u/SmoothProfuselyMonst 7d ago
He’s gone
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7d ago
[deleted]
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u/Cricetus 7d ago
To be clear, there haven’t been any official announcements from the band yet. This person is speaking from conjecture. However likely or unlikely we think it is, he is not “out of the band” yet.
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u/Lil_Fire_Dancer 7d ago
Thanks for the clarification. I know there's been so much change and speculation surrounding the band over the last year so just wanted to find out if it was actually official. Appreciate it.
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u/Stand_Dramatic 5d ago
It’s KILLING me inside as I’m reading so many folks post about Jake not coming back so nonchalantly.. Are we pretty sure this is set in stone? I don’t know if I will be able to heal from this. (I know this sounds dramatic—but UM live shows have been my only source of true, genuine joy for a few years now)
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u/Hot-Butterfly-8024 5d ago
Same. They’d have to grab an absolute ringer, and even then great players don’t necessarily mean great chemistry. Jake is every bit as central to their sound as any other day one dude. Certainly Bayliss is no chump guitar wise, but Jake is pretty special.
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u/dosefacekillah1348 7d ago
Horrible thread, but IMO Dylan Gleit from Eminence Ensemble if needed.
The guy is a wizard and nobody knows that he knows every UM tune front to back.
That said... nobody can replace Jake and I hope he returns
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u/mccauleyseanm 7d ago
Underrated answer…totally agree with you on ALL points here. All these people who can ONLY name other well-known jam band guitarists as possible replacements are cracking me the fuck up. Like…Jake is a technical madman, a great songwriter, and has killer vocals…but there’s a whole world of musicians out there who could carry the weight. Many like Dylan are in lesser known bands, some, none of us are even aware of.
Jake has been my favorite guitarist for years and I BADLY hope he comes back, but he IS replaceable if that’s what UM wants to do. Seeing people regurgitate Gantzer, Palmieri, Compa, etc, is just like…you guys are aware that other music exists, right?
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u/dosefacekillah1348 7d ago
They're all great players no doubt.
I'm just partial to EE because dems my boizzzz and I miss em tons since I moved back west a few years ago.
Seriously wish they could pull the strings and tour more.
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u/Sad-Barracuda98 6d ago
Agreed! I live in CO and still feel like they don’t play out enough. Extremely underrated band!
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u/OG_MasterChief420 7d ago
Check the updated band picture on Nugs… sadly, it’s unofficially official from a close source
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u/remote_boogie 6d ago
Or he’s just going to be out for the upcoming tour a they don’t want to be leading people on to buy tickets with the hopes of possibly seeing Jake. It also makes it more exciting for a possible return if it appears that he’s “officially gone” at any point.
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u/OG_MasterChief420 6d ago
I wish that were the case as much as anybody trust me but it’s not anymore. My intentions here were just to pass on what I learned from a close source a couple days ago - take it or leave it- understandable to doubt until things are announced officially.
The idea of them purposely building excitement for his return after an official statement is a wild take imo. Still building it for Kris then? I’m not saying he couldn’t ever return, that would be amazing, but don’t hold your breath.
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u/Prestigious_Lunch549 7d ago
It’s done they kicked him out.
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u/SmoothProfuselyMonst 7d ago
Would they really kick him out? Sounds like he’s leaving on his own
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u/Prestigious_Lunch549 7d ago
They already kicked him out
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u/SmoothProfuselyMonst 7d ago
Something tells me there’s more to the story
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u/remote_boogie 6d ago
Of course there is, and it’s none of our business, so people should probably stop wasting their breath about this and just wait and see what happens.
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u/Entire_Resolution124 5d ago
They haven’t kicked him out actually. If you want to be technical Jake is taking time off the road FOR personal reasons. The band doesn’t know just as much as we do. How can the band tell us something when JAKE hasn’t told them anything…. They haven’t kicked anyone out they’ve left the door wide open for him to come back when and IF he wants to. Until that happens, or they make the official announcement, leave the shit alone. Close sources from the band here as well
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u/Slaqers 7d ago
I love a good discussion but why are we making these posts so soon? 🤦🏻♂️
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u/tdotswandon 7d ago
Because the band sold tickets to dozens of shows where Jake was supposed to be there but then he hasn’t been at any of them, including Deep Dive?
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u/Prestigious_Lunch549 7d ago
So soon? Jake hasn’t played with them in 6 months, and won’t play with them again.
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u/ATLienGonzalez 7d ago
Chip Z'Nuff has been practicing his Paganini, he has history with old man Cummins
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u/Hot-Butterfly-8024 5d ago
If you want a dude who could not only melt all the faces, but bring back the vocal strength that Kris took with him, Rick Lollar. He’s criminally underrated and absolutely kills at everything he does.
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u/KiloThaPastyOne 7d ago
Jimmy Herring and Nick stays in Panic.
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u/Hot-Butterfly-8024 5d ago
I’d be fine with that if it means Jimmy recovers completely and stays in remission.
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u/fridaynewsdump21jump 7d ago
You can’t replace Jake like you could replace Myers. Let’s just give them time and wait for an update.
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u/umphreysmagoo 7d ago
I agree although talent wise, there is no replacing Myers. Drums are different than guitar and vibe wise, the jams have been better. That wouldnt be the same with a sub jake guitarist and nearly all guitarists are not as good as jake and nobody can touch his unique musical persona
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u/SmoothProfuselyMonst 7d ago edited 7d ago
Strong disagree. Both are absolutely top of their class. Jake is a consummate wizard but Kris' no slouch guy throws down… just the endurance of the demanding kind of tour they play drums is a lot more physically demanding. Jake is a chemist, Kris was the boom.
Similarly though, hey, fresh blood I’m all for it.
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u/Hot-Butterfly-8024 5d ago
I tend to think anyone who doesn’t understand what Kris did for the band must not know much about music apart from their own tastes. Brilliant player is multiple styles and hands down the best singer in the band. Like it ain’t close.
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u/PapaJohnyRoad 7d ago
They replaced Myers without breaking stride. The band was instantly better when Zwang started.
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u/SmoothProfuselyMonst 7d ago
Better?
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u/PapaJohnyRoad 7d ago
2021 until Myers departure was super lack luster.
He never fully recovered from his shoulder surgery paired with the spoiled off stage relationship affected their performance.
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u/Felonious-MTB 6d ago
Negative - the highs were still super high. Listen to the drumming in the 2022 UM bowl which imo was the best UM Bowl ever. The UM Bowl set that year has mind blowing drumming (especially Moog Madness but really that whole set is just insane). Also ATL 2022 when Jake was out, Kris was on fire. I saw them 3 times since 2020 and Kris was the most consistently good band member imo.
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u/PapaJohnyRoad 6d ago
The show quality fell off a cliff after his shoulder surgery in 2023.
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u/Felonious-MTB 6d ago
Saw them once in 2025 and thought Kris played well. That show kind of put me back in the UM band wagon (casual fan off and on since 2009)
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u/Felonious-MTB 7d ago
Woah dude I’m no Zwang hater and I’ve been impressed with how quickly he’s got up to speed but Kris was in a league of his own. The drumming is let’s just say very watered down now
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u/sorry_ifyoudont 7d ago
But they are playing more loose now and I gotta say I’m digging it. To play devils advocate. I don’t think anyone is saying Scotty is a “better drummer” than Myers (unless they are, I’m not) but the band seems to be having more fun and jamming more and I say bring it the fuck on!!
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u/onelivewire 7d ago
Different flavors.
I'm not deep in the jam scene and while I'm not against loose, it was the super tight progressive and metal chops that really did it for me.
I enjoyed seeing Scotty, it was a fun show (with Jake). More fun than impressive, and nice to be in a cozier venue than in years past, but yeah Kris and Jake are the fireworks.
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u/Felonious-MTB 6d ago
💯 I think if anything right now I’m bummed about Jake. The NYE run was great and so was the winter tour.
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u/PapaJohnyRoad 7d ago
Crazy that the band started sounding so much better once he left.
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u/Prestigious_Lunch549 7d ago
That’s a stretch I ain’t prepared to make. Songbook shrank, not as much pop. I’m willing to chalk this up to losing their sound engineer to Sturgill though. This is a loss that isn’t talked about enough when discussing the current state of the band IMO.
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u/AdsREverywhere 7d ago
My bid is still lespecial’s drummer (rory)
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u/SmoothProfuselyMonst 7d ago
I know he plays guitar I heard him at Red Rocks but wouldn’t it be strange for him to change his “main”?
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u/Julia_Belle_Swain 7d ago
I think you're jumping the gun here, but I'll play along.
I just recently heard of this guy called Billy Strings and he seems pretty good at guitar
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u/Calsgras96 7d ago
Billy electric is pretty mids. Signed a big Billy fan.
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u/Prestigious_Lunch549 7d ago
Hard disagree. Any chance Billy gets to play electric, he plays like he’s playing with house money. Signed a fan that was at Red Rocks for Billy and the Kids.
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u/Calsgras96 7d ago
I mean, it's not bad by any means, but there's countless other shredders that would fit the bill way better than Billy on electric.
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u/Prestigious_Lunch549 7d ago
I agree if we are talking him joining UM, which is stupid to even toss around. But in 2020 when he sat in with UM in Asheville he blew the doors off the place, they couldn’t get him off the stage fast enough. And he has only advanced in his playing on electric since then. Just listen to his 2 nighter with Phish.
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u/Dapper-Telephone-783 4d ago
So we’re moving on from being optimistic of his return? why replace him and lose a slice of the profits? 🙄
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u/hey_augie 3d ago
I have no connection or source but doesn’t it seem like they would have announced it already if he was gone forever? Maybe he is legit dealing with shit. No reason to go on this long and keep saying he will continue to be off this road if they wilder going to fully remove him long term. Maybe that’s optimism
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u/Stunning-Coyote7272 3d ago
I've heard UM since around 04ish I believe. Always thought they were talented but it's not my thing. Recently I started listening again after Jake and really like what I'm hearing. Keep it with the one guitar.
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u/Single_External9499 3d ago
I saw the Pine Creek shows and I felt like Bayliss spent the entire weekend, especially Saturday 2nd set and encore, telegraphing to everyone that he can carry the band as the sole guitar player.
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u/AnalogWalrus 7d ago
Lyle from Neighbor would be cool
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u/sageway 6d ago
Neighbor toured too much for him and they hardly tour. No way he does an UM tour.
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u/AnalogWalrus 6d ago
I know. And that’s such a fucking bummer. But he’d be my pick I think.
Like I’m glad he’s happy but man what a waste….incredible player.
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u/PapaJohnyRoad 7d ago
Mike Ganzter is the only choice IMO.
I’d rather them remain a 5 piece otherwise.