Album Notes

f there is one band poised to explode on the scene, it is certainly the trailblazing quartet from New York City, U-Melt. Thanks in part to relentless touring up and down the East Coast for the past three years, U-Melt has forged a unique sound that combines infectious dance grooves with captivating compositions, soulful lyrics and virtuosic chops. After branching out to the Midwest with great success, they are ready to share their organic progressive groove with the rest of the nation.

In only its third summer of existence, U-Melt has already performed at some of the country’s premier festivals, including appearances at Gathering of the Vibes, 10,000 Lakes Festival, Summer Camp, Camp Creek, and moe.’s Snoe.down Winter Music Festival, as well as an upcoming multi-set performance at this year’s moe.down. Based on mesmerizing playing and word of mouth, U-Melt has quickly earned a reputation for creating high energy dance parties and epic late-night performances. From an already legendary overnight set at Strangefolk’s 9th Annual Garden of Eden Festival (in which no member of the band left the stage for more than 7 hours), to brilliantly covering the Pink Floyd album “Wish You Were Here” in its entirety during their all night performance at the Stonehenge Music Festival, U-Melt always has something special planned for their fans, and has built a strong following among festival goers. In fact, U-Melt’s reputation helped them beat out thousands of bands in an on-line “Voting Booth” contest for their performance slot at this year’s 10,000 Lakes Festival, providing the band the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of live music fans in a brand new market.

In February of 2006, U-Melt was honored by Jambands.com with their coveted “New Groove of the Month” award. In his feature on the band, Jambands.com and Relix Magazine writer Mike Greenhaus declares, "Since first linking up in 2003, U-Melt has blossomed into one of the jam-scene's hardest working acts, barnstorming high-profile festivals,...and performing upwards of 300 shows in just under three years. Commanding a clear understanding of the jamband blueprint, U-Melt's varied live show is a throwback to the improvisational bands of yore, stocked with zany covers and high energy segues." U-Melt’s music has also been praised by the likes of Richard Gehr of the Village Voice, Jambase.com, Glide Magazine, State of Mind Music Magazine, KyndMusic.com, Earvolution.com and The Independent, just to name a few. Recently, U-Melt was asked by Relix Magazine and the other Jammys producers to perform a special late-night show at New York City’s B.B. King’s Blues Club as part of the Official Jammys After Party, providing U-Melt with a chance to bring their late-night dance party to a room full of hometown fans, Jammys performers, and new faces.

U-Melt has had the good fortune of having many incredible musicians join them on stage during their shows, including Al Schnier, Rob Derhak and Vinnie Amico of moe.; Jake Cinninger of Umphrey’s McGee; Jon Trafton, Russ Lawton, Erik Glocker, Luke “Patchen” Montgomery and Don Scott of Strangefolk; Rob Somerville of Deep Banana Blackout; Ed Palermo; Gordon Stone; and members of Perpetual Groove, Brothers Past, Max Creek and The Bridge.

In the summer of 2004, U-Melt released their critically acclaimed debut studio album “The Unbelievable Meltdown” to an excited and rapidly growing fan-base. The album appeared on numerous top ten lists and continues to receive airplay in many markets nationwide, including the heavy rotation of the songs “Schizophrenia” and “The Eternal Groove” on the Sirius Jam On 17 station. U-Melt is currently putting the final touches on their eagerly anticipated sophomore release entitled “The I’s Mind” which will be released on September 30th, 2006.

U-Melt is: Adam Bendy (Bass, Vocals), Zac Lasher (Keyboards, Synthesizers & Vocals), George Miller (Drums & Vocals) and Rob Salzer (Guitar & Vocals).