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
Take Five
The String Cheese Incident Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold what you've got and I don't mean, maybe
Been thinking about you and I'm on my way
Don't sell the house, don't wreck the car
Stay there honey, right where you are
Hold what you've got, I'm coming home to stay
It's a mighty fine sign, now that I need
And that's why I can't wait to get back home
So, squeeze yourself real big and tight
And I'll be home before daylight
If you hold what you've got, I'm coming home to stay
Hold what you've got, I'm coming home, baby
Hold what you've got and I don't mean, maybe
Thinking about you and I'm on my way
Don't sell the house, don't wreck the car
Stay there honey, right where you are
Hold what you've got, I'm coming home to stay
When I get back, baby, I ain't leavin'
Been too lonely, little, too much grievin'
When I get back, this time I'm going to stay
We won't fuss, maybe we won't fight
This time things is going to be alright
'Cos if hold what you've got, I'm coming home to stay
Hold what you've got, I'm coming home, baby
Hold what you've got and I don't mean, maybe
Thinking about you and I'm on my way
Don't sell the house, don't wreck the car
Stay there honey, right where you are
Hold what you've got, I'm coming home to stay
Hold what you've got, I'm coming home, baby
Hold what you've got and I don't mean, maybe
Thinking about you and I'm on my way
Don't sell the house, don't wreck the car
Stay there honey, right where you are
Hold what you've got, I'm coming home to stay
If you hold what you've got I'm coming home to stay
The lyrics to The String Cheese Incident’s “Take Five” depict a man who is about to return home and implores his partner to hold on and wait for him. The singer urges his loved one not to sell the house, wreck the car or move away from where she is. He reassures her that he is en route to her and that she should hold on until he arrives. The man expresses his excitement to reunite with his partner and promises that when he returns, he is staying for good. He acknowledges past issues, but assures his partner that things will be alright this time around.
One interpretation of these lyrics is that the singer has been away from home for a while, possibly due to issues in the relationship, work or other reasons. He has been thinking about his partner and has decided to return home to reconcile and start again. The repetition of the phrase “hold what you've got” implies that the partner has something valuable and it should be preserved until he returns.
Overall, the song expresses the importance of communication, commitment and perseverance in relationships. It also highlights the common theme of longing for and seeking comfort in loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold what you've got, I'm coming home, baby
I am returning home to you, so please maintain what you have and wait for me
Hold what you've got and I don't mean, maybe
It is essential that you keep and maintain what you have, without question
Been thinking about you and I'm on my way
I have been constantly thinking about you and I am already on my way home
Don't sell the house, don't wreck the car
Please do not sell our house or damage our car while I am away
Stay there honey, right where you are
Please stay at home and wait for my arrival
Hold what you've got, I'm coming home to stay
I am coming back for good, so please keep everything the way it is
In my mind, baby, I can see
I can imagine our reunion clearly in my mind
It's a mighty fine sign, now that I need
Things are looking promising and that is exactly what I need right now
And that's why I can't wait to get back home
This is why I am eager to return home
So, squeeze yourself real big and tight
Hold yourself tight and prepare for my embrace
And I'll be home before daylight
I will arrive home early in the morning
When I get back, baby, I ain't leavin'
I am not leaving again once I get back home
Been too lonely, little, too much grievin'
I have been too lonely and have experienced too much sadness during my time away from home
When I get back, this time I'm going to stay
I am determined to stay permanently once I return home
We won't fuss, maybe we won't fight
Let's avoid arguments and fighting this time around
This time things is going to be alright
Things will be better this time around
'Cos if hold what you've got, I'm coming home to stay
If you maintain everything as it is, I will be home to stay
Lyrics © Soundreef Ltd.
Written by: Paul Desmond
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.