Much ado was made over the youthful inexperience of the Umphrey’s crowd after this picture popped up on message board after message board, culminating with an epic thread over at Phantasy Phish that referred to the kids up front as The Royal Tenenbrahs. And while I disagree with much of the overall tone of the thread’s content, even I had to laugh at that.
Recently, I saw a thread on an Umphrey’s message board urging me to check out a video of some guy’s band playing an Umphrey’s song.
I’m always down for checking out the future cover artists of America, so I gave it a spin. Not too bad, and in fact, the guitar players are pretty damn ripping. I decided to check out the band’s Myspace page and check out a few pictures: Turns out, they all look 15 or 16 years old.
Then I noticed the kid with the red hair that is playing the more difficult passages and thought, “Hey, that guy kinda looks familiar.” I thought maybe I had seen him at a show or something, somewhere. Then it hit me: “Holy shit, that’s the teenaged redhead smoker from the Tenenbrahs! (front right corner)
At first I thought it was just a coincidence, but then I looked at another picture of these guys:
Sure enough, it’s him. The teenage smoker on the rail’s got a pretty good band. And the story of The Royal Tenenbrahs continues. Next thing you know, the 13 year old kid in the Dead tie-dye is gonna be running for Congress.
So many people poke fun at Umphrey’s for having a really young fanbase, but screw those shitheads. I wish I could shred like that when I was 15 or 16, or however old these kids are in actuality. I wish I could play a great Miss Tinkles Overture and stand in the front row at killer rock shows when I was that age. Listen haters, the kids are all right!
Today’s jambands were fans of bands first, and these guys could be the future one day. So just remember this in a Wyld Stallyns kind of way: We were the ones who told you about Tribute to Whigg way back when. We are your Rufus.
And if you think those fans are young, check out the next generation of Umphrey’s fans rockin’ out down the pipeline…
Oh yeah, the kids are all right.
9 Responses
Take a bow, Scotty, take a bow.
“While I still struggle with grammar”
ME TOOOOO
Well done my friend and a very big your welcome.
Rock on Scotty. Here’s to many more…
I remember meeting young Scotty B circa 92′ ..93′ while I delivered pizza to his house and saw a Phish logo sticker on his parents car. A friendship was born that day I don’t think he was more than 15 himself. I’m proud to be his friend and glad that he is where he is in the jamband community. It’s good to see that others hold his musical knowledge and opinions in as high regard as I do. Congrats to all on the anniversary. That kid is alright too.
great posts today guys…and congrats. Can’t believe I’ve been reading this stuff for 2 years, but it’s been a nice break in each day to do so. Keep it up…
congrats Scotty! It keeps getting better and better! Psyched for year 3 🙂
Congrats Hidden Track! As a proud, albeit new contributor, I must gush a little on my praise for HT. Day in and day out, coming up with new, fresh and exciting material. Reading this blog has become a part of my day, each and every day. Keep up the fantastic work and once again, my hat is off to you guys!
Scott, I can’t wait to put a brand new Phish sticker on my new car. During these trying times, some things are looking up!!!
We’ve come a long way baby.
Even Dad was trying to score Phish tickets for Hampton, and now we can start looking for t shirts for the Grandkids.
Scott you are a musical encyclopedia and the nicest guy around! And to think, all I wanted you to do was work on Wall Street…NEVERMIND!!!