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
Come as You Are
The String Cheese Incident Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Strange new things as they're coming near
Sometimes we listen without heed or care
We let our minds close before we see what is there
It's not like we try to let the world fly by
Without thinking of truth or what is all right
So if you stop to consider a world that is bigger
We might just stop and consider this world
[Chorus:]
Come as you are, Oh come as you are (x4)
There's no room for anger and hatred
Of people and things we have not faced yet
We're so quick to condemn by the color of skin
Before we look closely at what makes a heart beat
So if you take a step backwards
And see how awkward it is to stay closed and protected in castles
You may come to a new understanding of freedom
When you wave your arms and shout in the air
[Chorus]
The lyrics of The String Cheese Incident's song "Come as You Are" encourage the listener to approach the world and all of its new and strange experiences with an open mind and heart. The song acknowledges that we have been taught to fear the unknown and to close ourselves off from others and the world around us. Often, we fail to consider the truth and what is right because we let our biases get in the way. However, the song suggests that if we stop to think about the bigger picture, we might be able to understand and appreciate the world in a better way.
Moreover, the song highlights the fact that sometimes we are quick to judge others without getting to know them. We condemn people based on the color of their skin or other surface-level traits, without trying to understand what makes their hearts beat. The song suggests that we need to take a step back and reflect on our biases and prejudices. We need to recognize the awkwardness of staying closed off and protected and instead embrace a new understanding of freedom.
In summary, "Come as You Are" is a powerful anthem that encourages listeners to approach the world with an open mind and heart, to embrace the unknown, and to let go of biases and prejudices.
Line by Line Meaning
In the past we've been told to fear
Society has conditioned us to be afraid of things we do not know or understand.
Strange new things as they're coming near
We tend to fear anything unfamiliar or different from what we're used to.
Sometimes we listen without heed or care
We allow our fears to control us, without properly evaluating the situation.
We let our minds close before we see what is there
Our prejudices and biases often prevent us from seeing the truth of a situation.
It's not like we try to let the world fly by
We don't intentionally ignore the truth, but rather fail to recognize it due to our own limitations.
Without thinking of truth or what is all right
We have a tendency to ignore what is right or true in favor of what is familiar or comfortable for us.
So if you stop to consider a world that is bigger
If we open our minds to new experiences and perspectives, we can see the world in a different light.
We might just stop and consider this world
By recognizing and accepting the diversity of the world around us, we can learn to appreciate and understand it.
[Chorus:] Come as you are, Oh come as you are (x4)
The song encourages people to accept others as they are, without any preconceived notions or prejudices.
There's no room for anger and hatred
Anger and hatred only serve to divide us and prevent us from understanding each other.
Of people and things we have not faced yet
We often fear what we have not experienced or do not understand.
We're so quick to condemn by the color of skin
We often judge people based on superficial factors like skin color, without getting to know them as individuals.
Before we look closely at what makes a heart beat
We fail to recognize the common humanity that binds us all together.
So if you take a step backwards
By distancing ourselves from our preconceived notions and biases, we can gain a new perspective on the world.
And see how awkward it is to stay closed and protected in castles
Our prejudices and biases ultimately limit our own personal growth and development.
You may come to a new understanding of freedom
By recognizing and accepting the diversity of the world around us, we can experience a true sense of freedom.
When you wave your arms and shout in the air
Expressing our authentic selves and celebrating our differences can lead to a greater sense of unity and understanding.
[Chorus]
The song's message is reinforced, encouraging people to accept others as they are and to appreciate the diversity of the world around them.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MATTHEW W. HAGER, MINDI BETH ABAIR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dana Wright
on Water
“Phosphorescent, luminescent, nature’s show astounds me”
Dana Wright
on Water
“Cicadas, in minor, all sing a melody so inventing” 100% correct.