From playing local gigs at ski resorts in exchange for free lift tickets, the band is composed of 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, in 2006, Jason Hann (auxiliary percussion).
The String Cheese Incident has been described as a democratic ensemble rather than a band, since all of the members contribute their own original compositions to the group’s burgeoning library and share the vocal burden on a number of cover versions as well as their own songs. If a de facto leader had to be named, such a title would probably fall upon Nershi, who is responsible for the bulk of the group’s original song library.
From their management, Madison House Inc.:
"The String Cheese Incident has emerged as one of America’s most significant independent bands. Born in 1993 in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, SCI has since released 6 albums, 3 DVDs and countless live recordings from their relentless tour schedule. Their 14 year history is packed full of surreal experiences, epic moments, groundbreaking involvement and huge accomplishments. They have been recognized for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, for their community spirit, philanthropic endeavors, and for their innovative approach to the business of music.
When The String Cheese Incident’s growth first started gaining momentum over a decade ago, when the internet was just beginning to take hold and the major-label business model was failing, the band decided to make music on their own terms.
Since then, The String Cheese Incident has gone on to carve out a completely different approach to the business of music; they are truly pioneers of a new way of “making a band.” With the World Wide Web as their tool, SCI was among the first artists to disseminate information via the internet, such as tour dates, release information, and other news, to their growing fan base. Rather than doing business on such terms as “the bottom line,” The String Cheese Incident put their music and their fans first, opening companies of their own, including a ticketing company, a merchandise company and a fan travel agency, to best serve their community. The band’s record label, SCI Fidelity Records, has always operated under the same ideals. Even early on, SCI Fidelity embraced downloadable music and file sharing, delivering SCI’s “On the Road” series, where every show the band plays is made available for download on the internet. Whether they realized it at the time or not, The String Cheese Incident was inventing grassroots band development. Today, literally hundreds of bands are using some version of this same approach to building a band.
The String Cheese Incident’s commitment goes well beyond their immediate community, and even beyond the music community as a whole. Early on, the band took a serious interest in giving back to the communities that they visited, and they were among the first performers to encourage “Green” shows and tours. SCI’s support has helped give rise to such not-for-profit organizations as Conscious Alliance, Rock the Earth, and Head Count. In 2002, when the band’s right to sell tickets to their own shows became threatened by ticketing giant Ticketmaster, the band stood strong for the independent music community and filed a lawsuit against the company. All the while, The String Cheese Incident has stayed committed to music as a creative endeavor, not just in their recordings but also in their live performances. The list of SCI’s special guests and collaborators is long and diverse. Their annual events such as Horning’s Hideout, and holiday shows such as New Year’s and Halloween, have helped redefine the concert experience and has garnered the band a reputation as live music vibe innovators."
Some side groups are eoto, zilla with Jamie Janover, Zuvuya, Honkytonk Homeslice, Billy nershi's Plue Planet, Pangaea, The Trancident & Keller Williams with Moseley Droll and Sipe
Black And White
The String Cheese Incident Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
books that we've been told to
Are we catching the meaning?
Are we really supposed to?
It's time that we start seeing
the shades of color between the lines
Find a true way of being
Have you heard of Douglas town?
And the Irish of another skin
A million people have died there
how come we never heard a thing?
You envision a world without chains
Listen do you hear the call?
Dr. King and those who rise and fall
Fought so hard to bring peace to all
Chorus:
Can't you see
that not everything is black and white?
Can't you see,
that we need each other's strength and might?
In this world of illusion
it's so easy to be blinded
out of created confusion
separation in minded
See if we can believe in
the truth that all our children know
It's about time we start thinking
it's not all about what we're told
Can't you see
that not everything is black and white?
Can't you feel
that we need each other's strength and might?
When we believe
that there's no need for these walls to grow
We'll all see
that it takes all colors to make this rainbow
Higher, higher, higher....(and so on)
The String Cheese Incident's song Black and White is a tribute to the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The lyrics focus on the idea that there is a spectrum of color and meaning that exists between the polarities of black and white. The song suggests that we have become too entrenched in dichotomous thinking and therefore fail to recognize the myriad of experiences that fall within this range of color. The band encourages listeners to re-examine their own perspectives and prejudices and to start seeing things from a more nuanced and compassionate point of view.
The lyrics ask the listener to consider human history and why some events have seen a greater focus of attention than others. This is exemplified in the second verse where the band asks, "Have you heard of Douglas town? And the Irish of another skin. A million people have died there, how come we never heard a thing?" The lyrics suggest that in our haste to mourn certain tragedies or focus our attention on certain groups we have ignored others, thereby perpetuating a life lived in black and white.
Black and White has become one of the String Cheese Incident's signature songs, often played at shows and festivals, and has become popular for its message of unity and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Spend our lifetime reading
We spend our lives reading books that we're expected to
books that we've been told to
We read books we've been instructed to
Are we catching the meaning?
Are we understanding what we're reading?
Are we really supposed to?
Are we really supposed to blindly follow what we're told to read?
It's time that we start seeing
It's time we start seeing and acknowledging
the shades of color between the lines
The diversity of perspectives between what's written
Find a true way of being
Find an authentic path of existence
Don't you think we're wasting time
Isn't it a waste of time to continue blindly accepting what we're told?
Have you heard of Douglas town?
Have you heard of the town called Douglas?
And the Irish of another skin
Where the Irish are discriminated against based on their appearance
A million people have died there
A million people have lost their lives there
how come we never heard a thing?
Why is there a lack of awareness and discussion on this topic?
You envision a world without chains
You imagine a world without oppression
Listen do you hear the call?
Do you hear the appeal for change?
Dr. King and those who rise and fall
Dr. King and others who sacrificed in the quest for peace
Fought so hard to bring peace to all
Fought so valiantly to bring peace to everyone
Can't you see
Don't you realize
that not everything is black and white?
That things aren't always clearly defined in good vs. bad, right vs. wrong
Can't you see,
Don't you recognize,
that we need each other's strength and might?
That we require the support of other individuals and communities
In this world of illusion
In this world that is deceptive in appearance
it's so easy to be blinded
It's easy to lose sight of the truth
out of created confusion
Resulting from a deliberately orchestrated state of confusion
separation in minded
A state of division in the mindset
See if we can believe in
Let's attempt to have faith in
the truth that all our children know
The veracity that children comprehend
It's about time we start thinking
It's long overdue that we begin reflecting and contemplating
it's not all about what we're told
It's not exclusively about what we're instructed to think or do.
Can't you see
Don't you apprehend
that not everything is black and white?
That contrasting viewpoints exist
Can't you feel
Don't you sense
that we need each other's strength and might?
That we need each other's power and influence
When we believe
When we have confidence
that there's no need for these walls to grow
That there's no necessity for barriers to develop
We'll all see
We will all realize
that it takes all colors to make this rainbow
That diversity is required for a successful and thriving society.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@caseyleemcatee
Music has always been and will always be about connecting to your audience. That feeling you get when you close your eyes and listen to the Dead isn't any different than all those smiles on the faces of Cheese fans hoola-hooping somewhere in a field. It's all about that relationship. The diversity of all this music is what draws all of us to it. Fell the love man!
@AZJuggling
5 incredibly talented musicians playing music that can only be a distant desire for most bands. They are the epitome of cool.
@ashleysman09
Ah, just think of all the talent it takes to make music like this! It's rare that bands with this much talent occur. Yay for talent!
@suemeredith1284
My favorite band ever! This is such a gem!💎🧀💎
@dawhiteguy622
you def should check them out...such a versatile band too....bluegrass, funk, rock, jam, phsychadelic...they do it all!
@didjndrums
One of the greatest live shows to come down the pike in 20+ years. Truly a joy to see. I will miss their shows.
@PooNagoo
Why!? You can still see them!? :)
@ronbunn1349
@@PooNagoolol that comment was from 15 years ago dude. Cheese was on hiatus in 2008
@PooNagoo
@@ronbunn1349 Just in case he wasn't aware :) lol
@kriswoppert
One of the best bands out there hands down. Can't wait for whats next. Would love to see this whole episode.