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
Little Hands
The String Cheese Incident Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
from Cathedral Butte
Walking towards the canyon floor
playing Anasasi flutes.
Eagles flying overhead
beneath the desert sky.
Makes me think of how they lived
many years gone by.
I wander here from time to time
to give my head some space.
Leave the noise and confusion.
Vanish without a trace.
Salt Creek runs through the grass
as you hum that canyon tune.
Brush against the desert sage
just like some sweet perfume
Eight hundred years ago
this canyon was their home.
Eight hundred years ago
they walked through the sand.
Eight hundred years ago
they painted these little hands.
Yes this is the timeless place
that's seen them come and go.
They packed it up way back when
and drifted on down the road.
The earth, the sun, the moon and the stars.
meant so much back then.
But the years go by and though you try
you can't bring them back again.
The String Cheese Incident's Little Hands paints a picture of a dusty desert trail where the guitarist and vocalist of the band, Bill Nershi, is walking. The song takes us on a journey deep inside the canyon where Anasazi flutes are played and eagles soar overhead. It makes one ponder how the native people lived in this barren, arid region. The singer tells us that he visits this place from time to time. He comes here to escape the urban chaos and pandemonium and to clear his head. The song seems to emphasize what is truly important- the serenity of nature, the beauty of the surroundings, and the importance of introspection.
The chorus of the song mentions the "little hands" painted on the canyon walls by the Anasazi tribe who lived in this place 800 years ago. It's worth noting that the Anasazi civilization thrived in the region that is now known as the Four Corners. They were experts in farming and lived in close-knit communities till around 1300 AD, after which they abandoned their settlements and moved away. The song seems to suggest that this iconic tribe has left behind an everlasting legacy. The singer can't help but feel like a mere mortal in the grand scheme of things.
Overall, Little Hands by The String Cheese Incident is a metaphorical song that highlights the insignificance of human existence in the vastness of time while also emphasizing the importance of preserving our heritage and culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Winding down the dusty trail from Cathedral Butte
As I navigate this rocky path and descend from the top of the butte, the dust settles around me.
Walking towards the canyon floor playing Anasasi flutes.
I am heading towards the valley below and playing my flute, a sound that is connected to the Anasazi people who lived here long ago.
Eagles flying overhead beneath the desert sky.
The majestic birds soar high in the sky, reminding me of the beauty of the vast desert landscape beneath them.
Makes me think of how they lived many years gone by.
The sight of the eagles takes me back to a time long ago when the Anasazi roamed this land, filling my mind with wonder and curiosity.
I wander here from time to time to give my head some space.
I come to this place every now and then to clear my mind and find some peace.
Leave the noise and confusion. Vanish without a trace.
I leave behind the chaos and distractions of my everyday life, seeking solace in the quiet and undisturbed environment of the canyon.
Salt Creek runs through the grass as you hum that canyon tune.
The creek flows through the blades of grass, and as I hum my melody inspired by the canyon, they blend together into a harmonious symphony.
Brush against the desert sage just like some sweet perfume.
As I move through the brush and the sage, the scent that fills the air is reminiscent of a delightful fragrance, pleasant and calming.
Eight hundred years ago this canyon was their home.
The Anasazi once lived in this location, this very canyon that I am standing in now, over eight centuries ago.
Eight hundred years ago they walked through the sand.
The Anasazi people walked upon this same sand that I am now walking on, long before my time.
Eight hundred years ago they painted these little hands.
The Anasazi created art on these very rocks, crafting their tiny handprints on the walls for all to see, eight centuries ago.
Yes this is the timeless place that's seen them come and go.
This is a place that has stood the test of time, bearing witness to the passage of the Anasazi people who once made it their home.
They packed it up way back when and drifted on down the road.
The Anasazi eventually had to leave this canyon behind and move on, with no trace of them remaining except these rock paintings.
The earth, the sun, the moon and the stars. meant so much back then.
The natural elements of the earth, the sun, the moon, and the stars were held in high regard and were considered sacred by the Anasazi people.
But the years go by and though you try, you can't bring them back again.
Time marches on relentlessly, and despite our best efforts to relive or recapture moments from the past, we can never fully bring them back again.
Contributed by Elizabeth L. 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.