The String Cheese Incident (SCI) is a US jam band formed in Crested Butte, … Read Full Bio ↴The String Cheese Incident (SCI) is a US jam band formed in Crested Butte, Colorado in 1993. The band's music has elements of bluegrass as well as rock, electronica, calypso, country, funk, jazz, Latin, progressive rock, reggae, and occasional psychedelia. All members write original compositions and sing.

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

Don't Say
The String Cheese Incident Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴

It always seems to linger
The pain it doesn't lie
Builds down deep inside
My soul it doesn't die
First, there was some anger
Loss of confidence and pride
Energy was wasted
What given in and taken side So, I'm never gonna do it again

But, now it's only me
And there's no where else to hide
I wonder if she sees me
Does she even care to try?
Tired of being lonely, tired of being sad
I've given I've got
You've gotten everything I've had.
Never gonna do it again

Things they change so quickly, what was once is all gone
I'm giving up for trying
Holding on to what I ain't got now
There's loss of conformation, sense of home and family tied
Blinking has been broken
All is left is cold wind.
I'm never gonna do it again.

I needed more time, I know
To learn what is mine
It all ended way too fast
And I was left behind
So tired of being lonely
So tired of being sad
I've given everything I've got,
You've gotten everything I had
I'm never gonna do it again

She don't say, don't say, no, she don't know.
What she don't say, don't say, no, she don't know.
What she don't say, don't say, no, she don't know.
What she don't say, don't say, no, she don't know.

She don't say, don't say, no, she don't know
What she don't say, don't say, no, she don't know.
What she don't say, don't say, no, she don't know.
What she don't say, don't say, no, she don't know.

Well its hard to be the only one who holds the torch for all
Tried hard to break down walls, fifty feet tall
She was tired of being lonely
She was tired of being sad
She'd given everything she got, they've taken everything she had.
So, I'm never gonna do it again.

She don't say, don't say, no, she don't know

What she don't say, don't say, no, she don't know.
What

Overall Meaning

the lyrics appear to be describing is an emotional journey of pain, loss, and regret, brought on by a failed relationship. The singer is struggling to move on, to let go of the hurt and the memories of what was lost. There is a sense of isolation, of being alone and unsupported, as the singer tries to find a way forward. But despite this, there is also a determination to not repeat the same mistakes, to not get caught up in the same cycle of pain.

The lyrics use a combination of imagery and metaphors to capture the emotional complexity of the situation. The pain is described as a lingering force that doesn't disappear, but instead builds up inside the soul. There is anger and loss of confidence, with energy wasted and sides taken. The singer feels exposed and vulnerable, with nowhere left to hide. The loss of what was once cherished is felt deeply, with a sense of what could have been, and the regret of what is now gone.

However, despite the sadness and the sense of finality, there is also a sense of hopefulness. The singer is determined to learn from their mistakes, to take the lessons of the past and move on to a brighter future. They are tired of being lonely and sad, and are willing to give everything they have to find happiness again.

Overall, the lyrics of "Don't Say" paint a poignant, honest picture of what it means to let go of the past and move on.

Contributed by Riley G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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