by Humphreys Tin and Maomew Human
Photo by Skrimm
If you have ever been to an Umphrey’s concert, you have probably heard f Brendan Bayliss introduce drummer Kris Myers as the “hardest working man in the business”. If you have been able to look past the lights to the back of the stage, you would have to agree.
Keeping that in mind, we understand that even the hardest working men in any business have to take some time off and that is exactly what Kris is doing in the New Year. Myers has stated in the past that he wants to take a night off and that starting the year relaxed is crucial to maintaining his sound. Myers is planning taking his vacation over the forthcoming Beacon run.
While the band had no official comment about the vacation, our sources state that emotions run the gambit from angry to empathetic among the band. Regardless, the have vowed to continue the shows regardless of their sabbatical-taking-drummer. However, with such short notice, he is leaving the band no choice but to put Andy Farag behind the kit, leaving folks a little worried. Farag’s special percussion skills are that of legend, but seeing him behind the standard cymbals and snares is territory unexplored for the UM Fanbase as of yet.
With less than 2 weeks until the Beacon run in New York City, the band is rehearsing without Myers. Farag has stated that to maintain the ferocity of the band’s typical drummer, he has begun drinking nearly eight Red Bulls a day and sitting in buckets of ice water for hours on end. “My roles in the band is typically more flowing and zen, Myers is the ying to that yang. To fill his position, I must go from meditative to extreme.”