Stasik Speaks by Suzanne T. Zionts Ryan Stasik is the very definition of eclectic. The twenty-eight year old bass player of Umphree’s McGee is confident and fedora-clad both on-stage and off.

Stasik takes time out of his hectic touring schedule to delve into his musical influences, the up and coming DVD for Umprhey’s, and what else is in the works for this ever rising band.

When asked what Stasik is listening to on his I-Pod, he said, “I just burned a few new discs. Kanye West’s record just came out. I was listening to the White Stripes new record because I just saw them in concert last night. There’s a band called Meshuggah that is very intense death metal and a lot of Frank Zappa.” Ryan’s passion for multiple genres of music, added to his enthusiasm for touring, bolsters one of the best rock bands out there now.

Cityzen: You have a new DVD coming out. What is that going to be about?

Ryan Stasik: It comes out October 18th. I think it’s called Wrapped Around Chicago, Umphrey’s McGee Live. It’s from out New Years Eve show from last year and most of it is from the footage on the 31st, the DVD, but we also have some bonus footage from backstage, some personal footage of us on the road, and some bonus footage with us and special guests.

CZ: How do you think this compares to your last DVD?

RS: The same people did it and they think it’s one hundred times better. The other one they focused more on just the band and shots of us. This one is more detailed. It goes around and gets a lot of crowd shots and it gets a little interaction to what it’s like to be in the crowd and constantly moving with all of us with close ups on all of our fingers. It’s very good. I’m excited.

CZ: What do you feel is the sound of your last CD, Anchor Drops?

RS: We’re proud of that one. We have a new one coming out that we are in the process of getting the song order and the title. That’s going to be coming out in January or February. We think the sound of this has defiantly progressed. We like to do a lot of different genres. We are also trying to concentrate on making a really good record.

CZ: How do you feel about being pigeon holed as a jam band because of the bands you tour with?

RS: I think sometimes the word just gives a bad connotation. We just came off of a great Big Summer Classic tour with a pretty eclectic group of bands, with bluegrass from Yonder Mountain, with String Cheese and Michael Franti and Keller Williams. I think he does his own thing. We’re more of a rock and roll [band]. We’re all friends and we get a long well.

CZ: I heard you are already putting new songs into your set. Could you tell me about them? RS: We’re still in the process of choosing what songs are going to make the cut for our record. We did some acoustic songs, some more almost EMO country stuff which is a little different. We’re also playing a brand new song called “Higgens”. We’ve got a few things in the works but we haven’t had time to really get the rehearsal time together. It all depends on what makes the new record and what doesn’t.

CZ: Are you doing any side projects right now?

RS: Me, personally, no. But our drummer is involved in a drum and base thing called Drop Q. Jake, our guitar player just released a record with his old band. I just got a copy of it today. Everybody’s main focus is obviously Umphrey’s, but in their spare time people do some side projects.

CZ: Do you think the sound has changed since Kris, the new drummer, entered the band?

RS: Kris has been a blessing in disguise for us. He has his Masters in jazz so he is very well schooled in all genres. His playing has pretty much made everybody step it up to new levels.

CZ: In December, Jeremy Piven was randomly on stage. I was wondering if any of you guys are friends with him?

RS: That was funny. He likes to play percussion and drums. He was hanging out backstage with us, and we invited him up. We like to share the stage with friends and musicians as much as possible.

CZ: Speaking of drummers, Is Mirro, your old drummer, still in medical school, and what kind of doctor he is going to be?

RS: Right now, Mirro took his MCATS and he got accepted to a few schools. He starts in September here in Chicago. I am not sure which one he decided on and exactly what he wants to be.

CZ: You guys recently played a couple gigs in your hometown. What it is like to play there after the success you guys have been having lately?

RS: We [went] to South Bend where we started. All the family and college friends are coming out. It’s always good to play at home, and I wish we could do it as much as possible.

CZ: With your hectic touring schedule, what do you like and dislike most about being on the road?

RS: I don’t really hate anything about it. I miss sleeping in my bed and not so much with a bunk on a tour bus, but I’m not complaining. I like to travel and meet new people. It’s a new adventure everyday.

CZ: Is there any area, other than your hometown, that you especially feel good vibes from?

RS: Everywhere. But I’m a big fan of the Southeast to be honest, the good old Southern hospitality.

CZ: Is there anyone else you are looking forward to playing with?

RS: We are doing this thing in Vegas called Vegoose. There’s gonna be a ton of bands there so you never know who we might collaborate with. A lot of that [ jamming with other bands] we don’t know ahead of time. It’s just like ‘hey this guys in town’ and he shows up and wants to play. We are more eager to invite other musicians to come up and share the stage with us.