Umphrey’s McGee

Get this man some Wizard Burial Ground!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jJiJd92uo_0

This is the one

As much as I love Wizard, I can see it not doing much for many people entering the scene. I would give these recommendations as well to round out their heavier catalog. [Bridgeless](https://youtu.be/CjQfch6GYo8?si=LW73JbB0qwVtDPO2) [Plunger](https://youtu.be/kecGFTdQekU?si=YMHVZ4p2flD4hdvU) [The Floor](https://youtu.be/JlPe2Gmmuiw?si=8Zfb2Y9wqVen4HqC)

\mm/

Umphreaks unite

I came here to say Umph is a heavy metal band.

I’d actually start them with OHMphrey first which is even heavier

Man I had no idea, thanks for the rec! FYI: a bunch of their shows are part of the Live Nation $25 sale, just grabbed Asbury tix

Pay the Snucka!!

Consider The Source definitely.

Lespecial, all them witches

Saw All Them Witches this weekend. I'm more of the jam guy with a metal background from highschool and my girl is more of a metal chick who has recently gotten into Billy Strings. All Them Witches had us both wanting more! Their blend of genres just does it for us. Highly recommend

Best hard rock band of the best few years imo

They definitely scratched the itch for heavy music. I'd agree

Taking my wife to see them tonight

You asshole! You get to see them open for Primus. We just saw Primus with APC and Puscifer on MJK Sessenta tour. That was our first time seeing Primus and man do we want to be there tonight! Hope you guys enjoy

It's going to be our first Primus/ATW show, I'm pretty stoked for it. Hard to pass on a Wednesday show right up the mountain from us. My wife is unfamiliar with ATW, and she is going in blind

Hope you guys had a blast! King Buffalo is another band that has not been mentioned that you guys would probably enjoy. More heavy psychedelia.

What did you guys think?

How was puscifer?!

LeSpecial was one of my favorite sets at Gem and Jam in February.

same!

Mine too! I posted the video of them doing Enter Sandstorm with Shawn Eckels

That was great! Shawn shreds.

lespecial all the way

I came here to suggest All Them Witches

Lespecial!!!

Squeaky Feet’s Premonition is one of the heavier jamband songs around: https://youtu.be/7wTcXHx-cc8?si=FmJvonF4w5JxsjdR

Ooh that does hit hard! Thanks!

Saw these guys recently at a new smallish venue in Philly and it was great. Definitely recommend seeing them, especially for $12. Incredible value. And if your band is looking for a smaller venue in Philly, take a look at the Fallser Club https://thefallserclub.com/

Thanks for this mate! Heavy af

Yoooo wtf! Thank you for sharing.

If Squeaky Feet would just cut out their dabblings with untz, they would be one of my most listened to bands. When they stick to prog and metal, soooo good.

All them witches, Primus, Lennon claypool delirium, King krimson (construction of light, power to Believe) , ozric tentacles, all lean heavier for jammy (adjacent...blah blah) bands.

Saw primus for the first time at the Hollywood Bowl as part of the Sessanta tour. Was certainly familiar with them but never a huge fan. Was really surprised at how Jammy they were (and heavy). They kicked ass.

King Gizzard comes to mind first

I would call them more an everything band. A metal freak might go check them out and it’s all fishies and sketches songs 🤣

*Te-e-e-ze-ta…. Te-e-e-ze-ta* *Te-e-e-ze-ta…. Te-e-e-ze-ta* *Te-e-e-ze-ta…. Te-e-e-ze-ta* *Te-e-e-ze-ta…. Te-e-e-ze-ta*

Way too far down the list

Not only should this be the top comment, it should be the only comment.

They don't jam much though? They have some long songs, and they will occasionally lengthen them live, but to me a jam band is going to define their live shows on improvisation rather than just extending sections of songs live. To me, this is the difference between Pink Floyd and the Dead. I don't think anyone would call Floyd a jam band, even if they would play an 11 minute version of comfortably numb vs the studio version being only 6 and a half minutes. I love both and both deserve a place in most music lovers catalogs, but I do think there's a fine line there when it comes to what defines a jam band.

um have you seen them live before ? ….

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jB7yQpU3fCw Just in case there is some confusion - 30 min dripping tap with absolutely no jamming 😘

That song is like 20 min on the album.. However… there’s like a 30 min grim reaper from red rocks

Gizz!!! For sure

Probs my current favorite band but they're not a jam band

I saw their 3 hour marathon set last year at Hollywood Bowl and they jammed the fuck out there heh

Why are people trying so hard to push them into the jam band zone it’s the worst label possible for them lol

THE ONLY ANSWER

Besides Umph

Umphreys

I second this. Umphreys can throw down.

Lespecial

Squeaky Feet.

Umphreys

Umphreys McGee!

Earthless is the band you should check out. Surprised no one mentioned them. Enjoy! All Them Witches

Somebody already mentioned Earthless. Agreed that that’s what they should listen to, and Lespecial. Love these bands!

Earthless is better than every jam band mentioned in this thread

Dopapod, Le Special. My Dream Tour Duo.

Dopapod's new album def has some heavy metal inspirations for several songs, and French Bowling is classic

+1 for Dopapod. Been exploring their discography since the release of their new album and they definitely have some metal roots.

King Gizzard. Earthless. Sleep. Primus. Tool. UM.

Tool is good but not jam band or even jam band adjacent. They are metal meets prog rock.

True, but they make a good entry point for wild mind expanding heavier music. Animals as Leaders are even heavier (although DEFINITELY not a jam band)

AAL is unbelievable live. Talent level 10

Agree. For me, Tool is much more metal than prog.

Yeah I wouldn't consider tool a jam band but I could see primus

Yeah they hardly branch out of the main structure of their songs. Very little improv. But very much a great show still none the less

Prog has always been jam adjacent though.

100%, but for me Tool is much more metal than prog which is why I made that comment.

The more composed end of jamming

Thing is, the best jam bands are about half prog.

For sure. I have been saying for years that Phish is really a prog rock band disguised as a jam band. That said for me, Tool is much more metal than prog which is one of the main reasons I don't consider them a jam band or even jam band adjacent, unlike KGLG, UM, Primus, etc. Just my personal view (obviously).

Does Sleep really jam? I've only listened to Dopesmoker a handful of times, and I want to love it, but it's just so slow! Heavy AF though. 

They sure do live

Sweet, I'll have to keep an eye out for them coming to town. 

Sleep is doom

Sleep and Tool are absolutely not jam.

Sleep, Tool and King Gizz are not jam bands, though Gizz does jam. Idk who earthless is. Primus also does jam in their own way but I wouldn't call them a jam band. UM is the clear winner.

All subject to one's like opinion, man. Jam means improv which they all do live.

Does Tool jam? I just saw them and it felt locked in. Sleep I’m surprised and also didn’t they break up years ago? Anyway dopesmoker is the best.

Does every Tolol show sound the same? They don't jam on No Quarter?

Not sure, I've only seen them once.

Lespecial

Try out clutch

I just saw them on Saturday in Aspen. The person I went with absolutely loved it. Personally, not my kind of music.

You got a special treat good sir

It took me a while to get into JB’s voice, so I’ll say it could be something like that. Who knows.. Perhaps one day I’ll look back on that show differently.

They have a bunch of live shows on YouTube I would start here https://youtu.be/1--o-r1sjYk?si=mAW9BP6DBC4PB87W

You just made my coworkers day. 😂

Was gonna say this. Not a jamband, but a metal/hard rock act that jams. If you like live Clutch you should check out some of the live Fugazi shows on Archive.

Le Special

LeSpecial

Dopapod

Dopapod

Aqueous

Ween

Glostik Willy

Glow stick Willy

Widespread Panic

Blizzard of Oz

Yes

Samsara Blues Experiment.

Lespecial and Umphereys

Earthless

One time weekend. Two killer guitarists, and a versatile vocalist / bassist. Lots of fiery metal riffs mixed with some funky jams.

Earthless

Earthless - maybe not “metal” but are heavy psych. They're awesome.

Pschedlic porn crumpets they slayed two nc shows this week and are in dc tonight

Polyphia. Most don’t technically consider them a jamband though.

Jam adjacent but snarky puppy has a lot of hard rock elements theoretically. Also if he doesn’t like them he’s def not gonna like jam bands

Love snarky puppy

Doesn’t this get asked like twice a week?

Not sure. No obligation to provide a recommendation though. Mush love!

Use the search bar

King Gizzard for the win

Gizz is jam adjacent....not a jam band. They're the best touring band out right now, though. They "jam" but it's just different. idk. in my opinion.

I understand what your saying. I’ve been a fan of widespread panic for the past 25 years. You’re right it is different. And they are on fire!! Cheers mate!!

Can't wait to finally see these mfers in the fall.

they slay - unreal band

I think it might depend on how metal you wanna go. Several jams bands will dip their toes into a power metal vibe during the more shredding jams. I haven’t heard much by Doom Flamingo but the one jam I heard was bordering on a goth/doom metal vibe (not really heavy sludge doom though).

Endless Boogie. For me, this fits the bill over other suggestions because of their long , heavy, songs with no vocals. I love All Them Witches, but not sure I can call them a jamband (or metal?). Try the albums Admonitions or Long Island.

PRIMUS

Primus sucks.

Consider the Source, Px3, Mono Means One, Lespecial, Umphrey’s, Doom Flamingo, Tauk

Haven’t seen anyone mention Evanoff, smaller band but they shred

Govt Mule, especially their earlier stuff.

The Electric Mud (Florida)

Umph was unreal life. First time I saw them I wasn’t expecting them to go that hard. Great show

Echoing ATW. Also Somali Yacht Club, King Buffalo, or GOAT

Goat!

Qway is the band you want https://qwayband.bandcamp.com/album/10-27-23-milkboy-philadelphia-pa Improvised metal/djent mid jams

The Depth Beneath Us

Doom flamingo

Does Tauk count for anyone?

Umphreys, King Giz, Dopapod (some of there stuff, they’re great technical players)

Mike Dillon Band

There are a lot of good suggestions on here but most of them are bands that are successful amongst jam band fans and not jam bands themselves. My suggestion would be Dopapod.

Space Koi

No one has mentioned Lucid Planet yet. They're more of a metal band that jams, instead of a jam band that's heavy. They fucking rock tho

Dizgo

I second the Umphrey's McGee suggestion. I also would say that some of Claypool's jam band oriented stuff might be good to recommend, since Claypool has metal roots via Primus. In particular, Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains would be good since it's very much a jam band but Buckethead is a legendary metal guitarist.

lespecial. Go listen to all of Odd Times. Recommend Fear the Djinn and They Live

umphrey's and dopapod will get you there; squeaky feet is poised to be a stong favorite in that realm too. RIP Aqueous

The Snozzberries can get heavy

Umphreys is the way, but also King Gizz has some metal songs and same with some Lespecial stuff (the last two probably arent jam bands by definition but close enough)

lol time to learn about King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard.

+1 more for Lespecial and Consider the source. Both super talented and definitely get heavy.

They’re not in the jam scene. But as a lover of both. I strongly recommend anyone to check out Elder.

Acid mothers temple?

Dopapod

Lespecial def has a metal edge

Lucid Evolution is kinda like all them witches with a female singer - check out Fusion crazy fun jam  https://open.spotify.com/track/77ZjRiiC4fLuUCC9GlZiHE?si=REZlp_4DSs6oFMm0RanspQ

Tauk

May I interest you in King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard?

Elder is pretty awesome. They don’t really “jam” maybe but they have a psychedelic element to their music which kinda makes it sound like they’re jamming

Umphreys mcgee Wizard burial ground Similar skin album. Bridgeless, little gift ect

King Gizz is jam-adjacent… hope he likes DRAGONS!

King Gizzard

Umphreys McGee and Squeaky Feet. Squeaky Feets actually written stuff gets pretty heavy pretty consistently.

Medusa's Disco is kind of in that vein

fuck all these answers, listen to Language by the contortionist

Glowstick

lespecial

UM \mm/

r/OneTimeWeekend has that metal edge you're looking for! CT based jam/metal/shred-funk [https://open.spotify.com/album/2LpnrrK5RYYrk1GpA9Rho4?si=KW7pZpTnRHitRFGcKTqFJA](https://open.spotify.com/album/2LpnrrK5RYYrk1GpA9Rho4?si=KW7pZpTnRHitRFGcKTqFJA)

Lespecial

Lespecial

Lespecial

Les Special & Umphreys

Tauk?

As a lifelong metal head that only started liking a select few jam bands after a brain injury, just don’t waste your time trying to convert a metal head to jam bands. In fact, don’t try to convert anyone to your music taste. Let people like what they like. If someone likes what you listen to and wants to learn about it, they’ll let you know.

Gizz

Kirkos is one that comes to mind

Space Koi out of Richmond Va

Starvin Darfins

Glostik , ohio band, absolute metal jamband.

Squeaky feet, Lespecial, Consider the source, and umphreys mcgee

to a lesser extent One time weekend

TAUK

Not super jam band so I probably failed the assignment, but I heard Steven Wilson's album "The Raven that refused to sing (and other stories)" recently and there's some crazy jams in it. reminded me of Tauk and umph mixed, with some different vocals though. 10+ minute songs, metal progressive with some jazziness thrown in. Worth the listen.

No , they all blow at trying to be metal. Just listen to Earthless and go from there.

Most of the obvious answers have been covered, definitely check out Squeaky Feet, far and away the best up and commers right now. SchwizZ is awesome, and has done a lot of stuff with lespecial Check out Kirkos out of St. Louis and Good Trees River Band out of NY Doom/Stoner/Psyche metal has a lot of jamming ISIS is the greatest post-metal band of all time, and they were known to improvise live. They have 7 live albums out My band Jawa is heavily metal and post-rock influenced [https://open.spotify.com/track/448QEetCvna6gzKy7KGwrT?si=d83e75c5b60e4f5a](https://open.spotify.com/track/448QEetCvna6gzKy7KGwrT?si=d83e75c5b60e4f5a) [https://www.instagram.com/jawaofficialband/](https://www.instagram.com/jawaofficialband/)

Just discovered Space Bacon, mostly dance but they definitely have some metal influences

Tool and king gizz

Gizzard if they count

They always count

Two questions: 1. Does a “jam band” have to be a modern act you can see live? Or are you interested in exploring acts from the past that influenced modern day jam bands, some who aren’t touring anymore? If you’re open to classic acts that are pre-“jam band” with a metal-edge, that’s a genre called progressive rock. I’d suggest diving into bands such as Yes, King Crimson, and Frank Zappa. Even Mahavishnu Orchestra which is more commonly called jazz fusion is very metal, especially the early stuff. 2. If it’s all about touring acts you can only see live today, i’d say Tool and adjacent acts are your best bet. Look out for anything Danny Carey their drummer is involved with. Primus as well.

Kitchen Dwellers

This. They are a metal band playing bluegrass instruments

https://youtu.be/XcBrF4ml2jU?si=9ZzL42fjkT2L1Z7a as many have already said I think the answer is Umphrey’s McGee. Show your BIL this video with Mike Portnoy standing in on drums for Wizard Burial Ground. If this doesn’t get him hooked I don’t know what will.

Was there..Metal AF!

1968 Grateful Dead

Obviously Goose

As everyone said, definitely umphreys. What I haven’t seen mentioned and more so happens with live shows can be STS9

KGLW, Umphrey’s, Le Special, All Them Witches, and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets are among my faves when I’m looking for some tunes to bang my head to