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

Johnny Cash
The String Cheese Incident Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Drive that train
drive that train
drive that train on down the track
drive that train
drive that train on down the track
Johnny Cash is on that train
and he ain't never coming back

(chorus)
Johnny Cash, Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash, he don't smoke hash
Johnny Cash don't smoke hash
he's out there lying on the track
Johnny Cash is on that train
and he ain't never coming back

I saw John layin' on the track
asked the boy when he's comin' back
said I don't know but when I do
I'll bring Elvis to the party with you, uh huh

(repeat first verse, chorus 2x)

Overall Meaning

The String Cheese Incident's song "Johnny Cash" tells a story of a train driver driving down the tracks with Johnny Cash on board, never to return. The repetition of "drive that train" emphasizes the monotony of the journey, contrasting the finality of Johnny Cash's departure. The chorus echoes the popular image of Johnny Cash as a tobacco smokin', guitar-pickin' outlaw musician, but also suggests that he is too cool to dabble in drugs like hash. The second verse adds another layer to the story, with the singer asking a boy about Cash's return and promising to bring Elvis to the party when he does. This image of two iconic musicians partying together reinforces the impact and influence of Cash's legacy.

The song "Johnny Cash" has multiple possible interpretations, as many great songs do. Some may see it as a tribute to Cash himself or to the tradition of American country music. Others may see it as a reflection on the fleeting nature of fame and the inevitability of death. The repetition and simplicity of the lyrics create a certain hypnotic quality, drawing the listener into the story and evoking a sense of melancholy.

Line by Line Meaning

Drive that train
Motivate yourself to move on

drive that train
push forward and forge ahead

drive that train on down the track
keep progressing on your journey

Johnny Cash is on that train
a legendary figure being carried into lore

and he ain't never coming back
the end of the line for the train and its passengers

Johnny Cash, Johnny Cash
repetition of the star's name

Johnny Cash, he don't smoke hash
a statement defining the singer's reputation and values

Johnny Cash don't smoke hash
The idea of Johnny Cash being a straight-edge kind of man

he's out there lying on the track
in the middle of the railway, as a symbol of his legendary status

I saw John layin' on the track
An encounter with the singer beyond the grave, symbolizing the power of his influence

asked the boy when he's comin' back
a query about his next album or appearance, with the implication for CPR