Andy Montoya
The String Cheese Incident is an American jam band from Colorado, formed in 1993. The band's sound is a blend of bluegrass, rock, electronica, calypso, country, funk, jazz, Latin, progressive rock, reggae, and psychedelia. Their musical versatility and penchant for performing lengthy, hallucinogenic jams have contributed to their popularity. The band consists of talented musicians Michael Kang (mandolin, violin, electric guitar), Michael Travis (drums, percussion), Bill Nershi (acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar, electric slide guitar), Kyle Hollingsworth (piano, organ, accordion), Keith Moseley (bass guitar), and Jason Hann (auxiliary percussion). With their unique sound and energetic live performances, The String Cheese Incident has built a dedicated fan base and continues to leave a lasting impression on new listeners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Bluegrass, rock, electronica, calypso, country, funk, jazz, Latin, progressive rock, reggae, psychedelia, soul, fusion |
| Origin | Crested Butte and Telluride, Colorado |
| Formation year | 1993 |
| Band members | Michael Kang (acoustic/electric mandolin, electric guitar, and violin), Michael Travis (drums and percussion), Bill Nershi (acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar, and electric slide guitar), Kyle Hollingsworth (piano, organ, Rhodes, and accordion), and Keith Moseley (bass guitar), and, since 2004, Jason Hann (auxiliary percussion) |
| Improvisational abilities | High |
| Live performances | Energetic |
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What You'll Learn
The String Cheese Incident's musical versatility
The String Cheese Incident (SCI) is an American jam band from Crested Butte and Telluride, Colorado, formed in 1993. The band is composed of Michael Kang (mandolin, violin, and guitar), Michael Travis (drums and percussion), Bill Nershi (acoustic guitar), Kyle Hollingsworth (piano), Keith Moseley (bass guitar), and Jason Hann (auxiliary percussion).
The band's music is known for its versatility, blending elements of rock, bluegrass, country, soul, funk, Latin, reggae, calypso, jazz, fusion, and more. They are also renowned for their lengthy, improvisational jams and their ability to adapt to performing with artists from a variety of styles. SCI's live performances are characterized by a positive and fun atmosphere, reflecting the band's identity and love for recreation.
SCI's first studio album, "Born on the Wrong Planet," showcased their live energy, instrumental skills, and improvisational abilities. Their subsequent album, "Round the Wheel," refined their sound and displayed increased musical and lyrical maturity, adding guest players on saxophone and banjo.
In 2001, SCI released "Outside Inside," marking a departure from their traditional sound as they focused more on solid songwriting and arranging, aiming to reach a wider audience beyond the String Cheese community. This evolution in their musical style demonstrates their versatility and willingness to experiment.
SCI has continued to perform and release music, with regular appearances at festivals such as Hulaween and Rothbury, as well as their own events like the "Winter Carnival" and "Incidents." Their live shows often feature unique elements, such as live acrobatics and audience taping sections, enhancing their reputation for creating memorable concert experiences.
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The band's original sound
The String Cheese Incident (SCI) is an American jam band from Crested Butte and Telluride, Colorado, formed in 1993. The band's original sound was heavily influenced by bluegrass, with rock, country, and funk elements. The original four members, Nershi, Kang, Travis, and Moseley, considered themselves a bluegrass band that also played "cheesy covers".
As the band evolved, they incorporated a wider range of musical styles into their sound, including electronica, calypso, jazz, Latin, progressive rock, reggae, and psychedelia. The addition of keyboardist Kyle Hollingsworth in 1996 expanded their sound beyond string instruments and contributed to their growing musical versatility.
The String Cheese Incident's music is known for its lengthy, improvisational jams and their ability to blend diverse genres seamlessly. Their live performances are energetic and fun, reflecting their identity as a "West Coast band" that wants to share their love for recreation and a good time with their audience. Their first studio album, "Born on the Wrong Planet," captured their live sound and showcased their acoustic, bluegrass side, with songs like "Texas," "Black Clouds," "Johnny Cash," and "Jellyfish."
The band's second studio album, "Round the Wheel," released in 1998, refined their sound and displayed increased musical and lyrical maturity. They continued to experiment with their sound, and their 2001 album "Outside Inside" marked a departure from their traditional style as they focused more on solid songwriting and arranging, aiming to reach a wider audience beyond the String Cheese community.
The String Cheese Incident has gained a dedicated following, particularly in their home state of Colorado, and their relentless touring has brought them national attention. Their musical versatility, penchant for improvisation, and commitment to creating a positive concert experience have contributed to their enduring appeal.
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Their live performances
The String Cheese Incident is known for their lively and engaging live performances, which have earned them a dedicated fan base. The band's live shows are characterised by their high-energy and improvisational style, blending various musical genres, including rock, bluegrass, country, soul, funk, Latin, reggae, calypso, jazz, and fusion. Their performances often feature extended jams that showcase the band's musical prowess and versatility.
Formed in Crested Butte, Colorado, in 1993, the band initially played small venues and ski resorts, gradually building a strong local following. Their relentless touring and captivating live performances brought them to national attention, and they became known as one of Colorado's favourite jam bands. The band's live sound, which is captured in their early albums "Born on the Wrong Planet" and "Round the Wheel," showcases their musical prowess and ability to connect with their audience.
The String Cheese Incident's live performances are also known for their positive and fun atmosphere. Band member Michael Kang has stated that the band's identity is rooted in their love for recreation and having a good time, and they strive to pass on this joy to their audience. Their performances often feature guest artists from various musical styles, further showcasing their adaptability and willingness to collaborate.
The band has played at numerous renowned music festivals, including the Rothbury Festival, Bonnaroo Music Festival, and Hulaween. Their live sets are known for their dynamic and engaging nature, with fans describing their performances as "amazing" and "WOW'ing". The String Cheese Incident's live performances have a distinct style that blends musical excellence with a festive atmosphere, creating an unforgettable experience for their audience.
In addition to their musical performances, the band also prioritises fan engagement and interaction. For example, at their "Winter Carnival 2011" show, they featured live acrobatics and a costume contest for attendees, further enhancing the fun and interactive nature of their live events. The String Cheese Incident continues to tour and perform, consistently delivering captivating live performances that showcase their unique sound and style.
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The band's first studio album
The String Cheese Incident (SCI) is an American jam band from Crested Butte and Telluride, Colorado, formed in 1993. The band's first studio album, 'Born on the Wrong Planet', was released in 1996 on their own independent label, SCI Fidelity Records. The album featured a mix of original songs and covers, showcasing the band's musical versatility and penchant for improvisation.
The band's sound on the album blended elements of rock, bluegrass, country, funk, and jazz, among other genres. The album included fan favourites such as "Texas", "Black Clouds", "Johnny Cash", and "Jellyfish". 'Born on the Wrong Planet' captured the band's live energy and instrumental skills, with melody-driven music and room for improvisation. The addition of Kyle Hollingsworth on keyboard expanded their sound beyond string instruments, adding a new dimension to their musical arrangements.
Prior to the release of their first studio album, the band regularly performed at smaller venues in Colorado, quickly becoming a local favourite. Their relentless touring brought them to national attention, and by the time 'Born on the Wrong Planet' was released, they had quit their day jobs to focus on music full-time.
The String Cheese Incident's unique sound and energetic live performances set them apart from other bands. Their music defies easy categorization, as they seamlessly blend genres and collaborate with diverse artists. This musical versatility has earned them a dedicated following, with fans praising their ability to create cohesive and captivating music as a group.
The band's positive and fun-loving attitude has also contributed to their appeal. As a self-proclaimed "West Coast band", the members of The String Cheese Incident embrace a recreational lifestyle, skiing every day and prioritising enjoyment in their lives and performances. This attitude has helped shape their identity and create a community around their music, with fans embracing the light-hearted and joyous atmosphere the band cultivates.
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The band's identity and origins
The String Cheese Incident (SCI) is an American jam band from Crested Butte and Telluride, Colorado, formed in 1993. The band is composed of Michael Kang (mandolin, violin, and guitar), Michael Travis (drums and percussion), Bill Nershi (acoustic guitar), Kyle Hollingsworth (piano, organ, Rhodes, and accordion), Keith Moseley (bass guitar), and Jason Hann (auxiliary percussion). Their music blends elements of bluegrass, rock, electronica, calypso, country, funk, jazz, Latin, progressive rock, reggae, and psychedelia.
The band's origins can be traced back to Crested Butte, Colorado, in 1993, when the original four members—Nershi, Kang, Travis, and Moseley—first played together, calling themselves the Blue String Cheese Band. They considered themselves a bluegrass band that also played "cheesy covers". The band's name was soon changed to the String Cheese Incident, and in 1996, they decided to add a keyboard player, Kyle Hollingsworth, to expand their sound beyond string instruments.
The band moved to Boulder, Colorado, and started playing local ski resorts and private functions. In late 1996, they released their first studio album, "Born on the Wrong Planet," on their independent record label, SCI Fidelity. The album featured melody-driven music with room for improvisation and a mix of originals and covers. This was followed by their first live album, "A String Cheese Incident," in 1997, which showcaseed the band's live sound and included pianist Hollingsworth.
Over the years, the String Cheese Incident has become known for their musical versatility, lengthy jams, and positive, fun atmosphere at their concerts. They have collaborated with various artists, including Béla Fleck, Paul McCandless, Baba Olantunji, and Femi Kuti. The band has also played at numerous festivals and venues, including the Rothbury Festival, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Horning's Hideout, and the Bonnaroo Music Festival.
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Frequently asked questions
The String Cheese Incident blends elements of rock, bluegrass, country, soul, funk, Latin, reggae, calypso, jazz, fusion, and many other genres. The band is also known for its lengthy, hallucinogenic jams and improvisational abilities.
The band is known for its musical versatility and ability to adapt to different styles. They incorporate a wide range of instruments, including mandolin, violin, guitar, piano, organ, accordion, bass guitar, drums, and percussion. Their music has been described as melody-driven with room for improvisation.
Some similar bands that have been mentioned in the same context as The String Cheese Incident include The Disco Biscuits, Nth Power, Big Gigantic, Conspirator, and STS9. The String Cheese Incident has also collaborated with artists such as Béla Fleck, Paul McCandless, Baba Olantunji, and Femi Kuti.
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