Umphrey’s McGee Name Scotty Zwang and Duane Trucks as Drummers for 2025 Following Kris Myers’ Exit

Photo credit: Brian Stollery

Following news of Kris Myers’ departure yesterday, May 13, Umphrey’s McGee have selected the artists who will hold down his seat behind the kit for the remainder of 2025.

In a message posted to its site and social channels, the band offered “the first glimpse of our future” by naming Scotty Zwang as their interim drummer, with Duane Trucks set to step in for pioneering jam ensemble’s Florida series later this month. Both performers are familiar faces to the jam scene, former collaborators and strong additions to Umphrey’s McGee’s shapeshifting sound, though the group has not yet made a definitive statement for its plans after this year.

“Scotty Zwang will be behind the kit from May 22–25, with our good buddy Duane Trucks stepping in from May 29–June 1. Scotty will return to the helm for the remainder of 2025, and all shows will proceed as planned,” the group detailed. “Playing with Duane is always an honor and our time connecting with Scotty last fall uncovered something special—an intangible spark we’re excited to explore further. We’re energized by what’s to come and can’t wait to share the journey with you.”

Zwang, whose experience includes stints with Dopapod, Ghost Light, MORE! and a current spot in SunSquabi, previously joined Umphrey’s as a temporary stand-in while Myers took a live hiatus for rotator cuff surgery in 2023. Trucks, who has been an essential part of jam icons Widespread Panic since 2014, also supported the group in that 2023 period with several performances through the fall. Zwang most recently sat in with the group for treatments of “The Triple Wide” and “Walletsworth” during a two-night series at Port Chester, N.Y.’s The Capitol Theatre in February 2025, while Trucks held down the backbeat for three night at Athens, Ga.’s Georgia Theatre in December 2023.

Kris Myers was a member of Umphrey’s McGee for 22 years. He assumed the seat of founding drummer Mike Mirro after his departure in late 2002 and quickly became an integral component of the group’s continued fearless pursuit of new creative directions. In a post to the Umphrey’s social channels, both the longtime drummer and the undefinable fusion ensemble shared heartfelt statements reflecting on the split, their years together and the journey ahead. “After long talks and deep consideration, I have made the difficult decision to resign as the drummer of Umphrey’s McGee,” Myers wrote. “This decision wasn’t easy, but the biggest ones seldom are.”

Umphrey’s McGee will return to the stage next week with a two-night engagement at Isle of Palms, S.C.’s The Windjammer, setting off the next leg of their Cruising Altitude Tour. From that outset, they’ll sprint into 33 further performances through Sept. 20. Find more information on their upcoming run at umphreys.com/tour.

See Umphrey’s McGee’s latest statement in full below.