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
Drive
The String Cheese Incident Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reflected the rain in your eyes
The trees pass by like Van Gogh's brush
What were you leaving behind?
The frosted shine like broken glass
The canyon comes into view
The road is warm, all cracked and torn
It ain't over, ain't it good to be alive
It ain't over, close your eyes and drive,
Close your eyes and drive
Through it all I've had no doubts
Truth couldn't be farther away
But I hit bottom and didn't bounce
And found out I had nothing to say
Are we running toward or running from
Or maybe not running at all
I just know when we least expect it
Something are just destined to fall
It ain't over, ain't it good to be alive
It ain't over, close your eyes and drive,
Close your eyes and drive
I saw you standing in the crowd
Show box, Saturday night
Seven summers have passed since then
Are the stars still shining as bright?
The moving village of your space-time world
Iron fist is far behind you
Levitation in a whiskey swirl
Never even got to the show
It ain't over, ain't it good to be alive
It ain't over, close your eyes and drive,
Close your eyes and drive
transposed by: TheDreadfulGreat
The String Cheese Incident's song "Drive" is a contemplative tune about the choices we make in life and the paths we take. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of driving down a highway, with the morning dew and rain reflected in the singer's lover's eyes. The trees pass by like Van Gogh's brush, giving the impression of a beautiful and fleeting moment. The road is old and cracked, with evidence of others who have come before. The chorus repeatedly reminds us that it's not over, and that it's good to be alive, urging the listener to close your eyes and drive.
The second verse describes a personal struggle with truth, hitting rock bottom, and the realization that there might be nothing left to say. The refrain of "it ain't over" takes on a deeper meaning, offering hope and reassurance that life continues on. The third verse is more cryptic, referencing a past relationship and the passage of time. The singer wonders if the stars are still shining as bright as they once did, and reflects on the swirl of experiences that have brought them to this point.
Line by Line Meaning
Highway glimmer, morning dew
The beautiful reflection of the morning light on the pavement was complemented by the dew that rested on it
Reflected the rain in your eyes
The raindrops were mirrored in your eyes, creating a profound connection between you and nature
The trees pass by like Van Gogh's brush
The trees moved rapidly as if they were being painted by Van Gogh's brush, conveying the fast-paced nature of life's journey
What were you leaving behind?
As you moved forward on this journey, you left something behind, prompting contemplation about the past
The frosted shine like broken glass
The sparkly reflection on the road resembles shattered glass, representing the fragility of life
The canyon comes into view
A beautiful natural wonder, the expansive canyon emerges into view
The road is warm, all cracked and torn
Despite the wear and tear on the road, the warmth emanating from it creates a sense of security and comfort
From the others that came before
The road was well-traveled, and many others had come before you, paving the way
It ain't over, ain't it good to be alive
Although it may seem like the journey is coming to an end, it is essential to remember how wonderful it is to be alive
Close your eyes and drive
In moments of doubt or uncertainty, it is beneficial to close your eyes and let your instincts guide you
Through it all, I've had no doubts
Despite the challenges and hardships faced, I remained steadfast in my conviction
Truth couldn't be farther away
Despite having conviction, the truth can be elusive, leading to confusion and uncertainty
But I hit bottom and didn't bounce
I hit rock bottom, but instead of bouncing back, I had an epiphany
And found out I had nothing to say
After hitting rock bottom, I realized that I had nothing to contribute, leading to introspection
Are we running toward or running from
In life, it is often unclear whether we are moving towards something or trying to escape from it
Or maybe not running at all
Perhaps we are stationary or moving at a slower pace, taking in our surroundings
I just know when we least expect it
Life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it, leading to unexpected opportunities
Something are just destined to fall
Some things in life are destined to fail or come to an end, leading to new beginnings
I saw you standing in the crowd
I recall seeing you in a crowd, surrounded by others
Show box, Saturday night
It was a show box, and it was a Saturday night, a specific moment in time
Seven summers have passed since then
Many years have passed since that moment, and time continues to move forward
Are the stars still shining as bright?
As time continues to progress, we wonder if the beauty and magic of life still exist
The moving village of your space-time world
Your world is constantly in motion, and the village representing your environment is ever-changing
Iron fist is far behind you
The idea of having an iron fist controlling your life is a distant memory
Levitation in a whiskey swirl
Amidst the chaos and unpredictability of life, there is a sense of weightlessness, like a floating feeling in a whiskey glass
Never even got to the show
Despite everything, there may be things in life that we never have the chance to experience or witness
Contributed by Xavier R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.