For the first time in over two decades, Umphrey’s McGee is taking the stage without Kris Myers behind the kit. The longtime drummer, who had been a fixture of the band’s sound since 2002, announced his departure earlier this month, marking the end of an era and the start of something new.

To fill the void, the band has turned to familiar faces. Scotty Zwang and Duane Trucks, both of whom have sat in with the group in the past, will split drum duties for the rest of 2025. Zwang was first up, performing at the band’s May 22 show in Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Trucks is set to handle a short stretch of dates in Florida before Zwang returns to finish out the year.

Fans will recognize both names. Last year, when Myers took a brief medical leave, Umphrey’s invited several drummers to step in. Among them were Zwang, Trucks, Ben Atkind of Goose, and Jeremy Salken from Big Gigantic. That period of musical experimentation may have laid the groundwork for this new arrangement.

Myers’ final performance came at the Daze Between New Orleans festival, closing with a fiery version of “JaJunk.” In hindsight, it played like a farewell. The band hasn’t missed a beat in the wake of his departure, moving quickly to ensure continuity as they continue their Cruising Altitude Tour.

In a message shared with fans, the band expressed deep appreciation for Myers’s years of commitment and creativity, calling his contributions “immeasurable.” They also spoke with enthusiasm about the energy and perspective Zwang and Trucks bring to the table. The band made it clear that all scheduled shows would go on as planned, a move that underscores their focus on momentum and forward motion rather than nostalgia.

For fans who’ve followed Umphrey’s McGee for years, the change might seem abrupt. That said, Umphrey’s McGee has never been a band to dwell on yesterday. Their sound has always been fluid, rooted in risk-taking and built on a rhythmic backbone. For years, Myers played a central role in shaping that foundation, balancing tight execution with a knack for stretching the moment in unexpected directions. But if any group can embrace change without losing its core, it’s this one.

Zwang brings a background rooted in electronic and improvisational music, while Trucks carries Southern rock and jam lineage from his time with Widespread Panic. Each offers a different texture, and together, they may provide the band with fresh ways to explore familiar territory.

As summer heats up, Umphrey’s McGee is slated to appear at festivals like Northlands and Great South Bay. Whether this two-drummer setup becomes a longer-term solution or simply a chapter in the band’s ever-evolving story, one thing’s clear: they’re not standing still.

They’re marching forward, with new hands on the sticks and the same drive to surprise, stretch, and groove.