This year Umphreys McGees New Years show will literally be a three-ring circus. The Midwest-quintet will countdown to 2005 with a circus theme, presenting the Best Show on Earth at Chicagos Riviera Theater. Umphreys has also booked a pair of costumed openers for their two-night stand: Buckethead (December 30) and Mini-Kiss (December 31).

Speaking of spectacles, Umphreys McGees Halloween Celebrity Criminal Celebration featured a stream of costumes, covers (and, well, controversy). At the shows outset, band members dressed as notorious entertainers such as Courtney Love, Ozzy Osborne, Jerry Lee Lewis, Sid Vicious, Pee Wee Herman, Pete Rose, and Nick Nolte. Later in their show, Umphreys presented a series of covers by Michael Jackson, R Kelly, Jerry Lee Lewis and The Who that some found to be in questionable taste (given the nature of these artists’ alleged transgressions).