The String Cheese Incident: Why The Hate?

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The String Cheese Incident (SCI) is an American jam band from Colorado, formed in 1993. Their music blends elements of bluegrass, rock, electronica, calypso, country, funk, jazz, Latin, progressive rock, reggae, and psychedelia. While the band has a dedicated fan base, some people may not enjoy their music due to various reasons. Some listeners find their sound underwhelming, while others may not appreciate the jam band format or their unique blend of genres. There are also speculations about the meaning of The String Cheese Incident in the band's name, with stories ranging from a food fight with shredded cheese to attempting to pass off a bag of mushrooms as moldy string cheese.

Characteristics Values
Lack of appeal to younger audiences People aged 22 are usually close-minded at fests
Not a mainstream band People don't bother to try and broaden their music tastes
Lack of stage presence A user described the band as "a bunch of old dudes jamming out on instruments"
Inaccessible music A user described the music as "weird ass music"
Inability to connect with the audience A user described the band as "a bunch of old dudes jamming out on instruments"

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The band's members are old dudes

The String Cheese Incident (SCI) is an American jam band from Crested Butte and Telluride, Colorado, formed in 1993. The band's members include Bill Nershi (born in 1961), Michael Kang (born in 1971), Michael Travis (born in 1965), Keith Moseley (born in 1965), Kyle Hollingsworth (born in 1968), and Jason Hann (joined in 2004).

The band's members are indeed relatively old, with most of them in their 50s and 60s as of 2023. This may be a factor in why some people don't like the band, as one Reddit user commented that they saw "a bunch of old dudes jamming out on instruments" when referring to The String Cheese Incident.

However, it's worth noting that the band has been active for almost three decades and has a dedicated fan base. They are known for their grassroots approach to band development, focusing on their music and fans rather than traditional business models. The band has also been praised for their commitment to giving back to the communities they visit and supporting "Green" shows and tours.

Despite their age, the band members of The String Cheese Incident remain active and engaged in their music and performances. They have continued to tour and play at festivals, and their live shows are known for their high energy and use of lasers. While some people may not like the band due to their age or personal preferences, others find their performances enjoyable and unique.

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Their music is weird

The String Cheese Incident (SCI) is an American jam band from Colorado, formed in 1993. Their music is an eclectic mix of bluegrass, rock, electronica, calypso, country, funk, jazz, Latin, progressive rock, reggae, and psychedelia.

While some fans praise the band's unique sound and their ability to blend genres, others find their music "weird". One Reddit user described them as "the weirdest rock band you'll ever see", noting that they put on a "weird ass show with weird ass music".

The band's live performances, in particular, seem to be a source of controversy. One user described their first impression of the band as "a bunch of old dudes jamming out on instruments, with some lazers [sic] going off", which left them feeling underwhelmed. Another user commented that they didn't understand the appeal of the band, even after giving them multiple chances.

However, it's worth noting that some people who initially found the band's music weird eventually grew to like it. One person commented that they didn't "get it" at first, but after seeing them live a few times, the music and vibe grew on them.

The String Cheese Incident's music may not be everyone's cup of tea, but they have a dedicated fan base that appreciates their unique sound and energetic live performances.

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They play for too long

The String Cheese Incident, also known as SCI, is an American jam band from Crested Butte and Telluride, Colorado, formed in 1993. The band is composed of Michael Kang, Michael Travis, Bill Nershi, Kyle Hollingsworth, Keith Moseley, and Jason Hann, who joined in 2004. They are known for their long sets and improvisational style, blending various genres, including bluegrass, rock, electronica, calypso, country, funk, jazz, Latin, progressive rock, reggae, and psychedelia.

While The String Cheese Incident has a dedicated fan base, some people may not enjoy their music due to the length of their performances. It is common for jam bands like The String Cheese Incident to play for extended periods, often 10 hours or more at their own festivals. For those who are not fans of the jam band style or prefer shorter, more concise sets, the band's lengthy performances may be a turnoff.

The band's tendency to extend their songs with improvisational jams can be a source of criticism for those who prefer more structured and concise music. For example, a song that is originally 6 minutes long might be jammed out for 16 minutes, as mentioned in one source. This approach to performance can be polarizing, as some audience members may lose interest or feel that the band is playing for too long.

Additionally, The String Cheese Incident's live shows often feature multiple sets, each with a different theme or focus. For instance, one festival performance included three sets, one of which was dedicated to covers, while the others featured original material. While some fans appreciate the variety and spontaneity that these extended performances offer, others may find them excessive or prefer a more focused and concise presentation.

The band's dedication to their craft and the energy they bring to their live performances are undeniable. However, their propensity for playing long sets and extending songs with jams may contribute to the perception that they play for "too long" for some audience members or potential fans. Ultimately, music preferences are subjective, and it is normal for different people to have varying opinions on the ideal length and structure of musical performances.

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Their music is too jammy

The String Cheese Incident (SCI) is an American jam band from Crested Butte and Telluride, Colorado, formed in 1993. The band's music has elements of bluegrass sounds, rock, electronica, calypso, country, funk, jazz, Latin, progressive rock, reggae, and psychedelia.

While the band has a dedicated fan base, some people may not enjoy their music due to its jammy style. Jam bands are known for their long, improvised performances that can last for multiple hours or even days. This style of music may not appeal to those who prefer more structured and concise songs.

The String Cheese Incident's live performances often feature extended jams and improvisational sections. Their self-titled live album, "A String Cheese Incident," for example, contains ten tracks with an average length of over seven minutes each, showcasing their tendency for lengthy jams.

Some listeners may find the band's music too jammy, feeling that the extended instrumental sections lack direction or fail to hold their attention. They may prefer music with more defined structures, catchier hooks, or shorter song lengths.

Additionally, the band's jammy style may be associated with a particular subculture or stereotype that some people might not identify with or find appealing. For example, the band's fans are often referred to as cheeseheads, and there may be a perception that the band's music primarily caters to a niche audience with specific interests or lifestyles.

However, it's important to note that music is subjective, and while some people may not enjoy the jammy style of The String Cheese Incident, others may find their unique blend of genres and extended jams captivating and engaging.

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Their fans are too hippie or party-oriented

The String Cheese Incident (SCI) is an American jam band from Colorado, formed in 1993. The band has a diverse sound, blending elements of bluegrass, rock, electronica, calypso, country, funk, jazz, Latin, progressive rock, reggae, and psychedelia. Their live performances are known for their high-energy jams, blending genres, and extended improvisational passages.

While the band has a dedicated fan base, some people may be turned off by the perception that their fans are too hippie or party-oriented. This perception is not unfounded, as the band's performances and music festivals often attract a counterculture crowd, including those interested in rave and hippie cultures. Their performances are known for their vibrant and participatory atmosphere, with fans soaking up the energy and fully engaging in the experience.

The band's association with counterculture and rave culture may contribute to the perception that their fans are too hippie or party-oriented. For example, at their live shows, it is common for fans to bring their own laser pointers, creating a visually stimulating environment that aligns with the band's psychedelic influences. Additionally, the band has been known to encourage fan participation through activities like a costume contest at their "Winter Carnival 2011" event.

Furthermore, the band's music has been described as weird and not for everyone, which may also contribute to the perception of their fan base as being too hippie or alternative. Their unique sound, which blends multiple genres, might not appeal to those with more mainstream musical tastes.

However, it is important to note that the band has also attracted fans from diverse backgrounds, including those who may not typically associate with counterculture or hippie lifestyles. Some fans have described having a "holy shit I get it now" moment, indicating that the band's music and performances can transcend initial impressions and create transformative experiences for audience members from various walks of life.

In conclusion, while the perception of The String Cheese Incident's fan base as being too hippie or party-oriented may exist, it is not a universal sentiment. The band has attracted a dedicated following by offering unique, high-energy live performances that blend genres and create a participatory atmosphere. Their music has the power to surprise and captivate audiences, challenging initial impressions and fostering a sense of community among their diverse fan base.

Frequently asked questions

Some people don't like The String Cheese Incident because they think the band is just a bunch of old guys jamming out on instruments. Others have said that the band's sound is weird, and that they come across as a washed-up old rock band.

Fans of the band say that The String Cheese Incident is an absolutely amazing band with the best possible message in their music. They also praise the band's ability to jam for hours on multiple days, creating an incredible atmosphere for people to come together.

People enjoy the band's blending of genres and their long jams. The band's live performances are also highly regarded, with one person describing them as "the absolute best live music experience".

Some people might not like the band because of their name or because they are not familiar with their music. Others might find the band's music to be too "cheesy".

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