Before Umphrey’s McGee performed at Otto’s, 118 E. Lincoln Highway, on Oct. 8, I had a chance to talk to the band while they ate lunch.

Umphrey’s McGee includes Brendan Bayliss (guitar), Jake Cinninger (guitar), Ryan Stasik (bass), Joel Cummins (keyboards), Andy Farag (percussion) and Kris Myers (drums). Here’s what they had to say:

Northern Star: Who are your influences as a band?

Umphrey’s McGee: Patrick Swayze. Actually, we are really into the band Bump. We listen to a lot of our contemporaries so we can hear what works and what doesn’t work. We’re all influenced by our pasts, whether it be jazz or metal, rap or rock.

NS: Who do you listen to in the van when traveling between shows? I know you probably don’t listen to yourselves.

UM: Actually, we only listen to ourselves. No, seriously, we listen to our show from the night before and see what we did right and what we did wrong. If there is a transition we missed, we know we have to work on it. As tedious as it may be, that’s how you get better.

NS: You guys recently have become more and more popular around the country. You don’t have a record label and aren’t on the radio. How do you succeed?

UM: It all starts with the fans. They are out there spreading the word, passing out fliers, burning copies of live shows and trading them. There is a real grassroots feel in what our fans do for us. They deserve a good deal of credit for our success.

NS: How has success affected the band? Or has it?

UM: We’re not there yet. We’re still riding around in a van. Maybe when we get a tour bus and people moving our gear for us … But as long as we’re smelling each other’s farts in the van, it seems we’re just not there yet.

NS: As you guys have toured the country several times, playing as many dates as you do, and playing so far away from your homes in Chicago, how do you stay in touch with your friends and families?

UM: Cell phones, e-mails. Lots of talking on cell phones. And telegrams. It’s not that hard to stay in touch. Our tours usually consist of a bunch of shorter runs. We play a lot of shows in a two- or three-week span, and then we get to take little breaks.

NS: What is your favorite venue to play? Small bar? Theater? Festival? Obviously, Bonnaroo had to be pretty cool.

UM: The Georgia Theatre is incredible. We love Chicago shows. … the Vic, the House of Blues, the Skyline Stage. We have a great time at a hole-in-the-wall. … Trainhopper’s in Oklahoma City. We made some of our best music of 2003 there. … We’re actually releasing a live CD from Trainhopper’s in a couple weeks. It all depends on the crowd and the vibe of the night. Even the crappiest of places can become one of our favorites.

NS: It is rare to see a band with two talented guitarists (Bayliss and Cinninger). Do you ever find yourself competing on stage?

Bayliss: Jake is awesome. If anything, I bring him down on stage, and he picks me up.

Cinninger: At home, we have identical treadmills. We call each other up and say, ‘Ready, Go!’ Whoever throws up first, loses.

NS: Kris, how does this gig with Umphrey’s McGee rank among the other gigs you’ve had?

Myers: For one thing, I don’t have to wear make-up anymore — just kidding. It’s been great in every way: socially, musically … losing money in the van playing cards.

NS: Umphrey’s McGee fans are waiting anxiously for the Nov. 9 release of the Skyline Stage (Navy Pier) DVD. Have you seen the DVD yet?

UM: No. Well, at least not all of it. We’ve seen bits and pieces. It looks good.

NS: If you’re willing to share, what has been your biggest “rock star” moment so far?

UM: Joel actually puked on stage during a song, wiped his mouth and kept playing. It was awesome.

NS: Not the kind of band to trash hotel rooms?

UM: If we were, we couldn’t tell you.

Adam Budney (lighting manager): Actually, no, they’re not. I got yelled at last week for throwing some potato chips on the floor.

NS: Finally, how about those Cubs?

UM: (cheers and applause).