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
WATER
The String Cheese Incident Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waves roll by, so softly undulating
Offshore breezes bring scents of flowers blooming
Listen carefully and you will hear her as she callin
Wash your body in the water
Dry your cares in the sunshine
Feel the wind as it blows (flows) across your body
Climb up Shakespeare cliff just to check the southern skies
For the least, we're asking to see a view once more
In the peace of love, well it seems so clearly now
Ride that wave
thru the rest of my days
Gonna make it thru some how
Water, wash over you
Water, wash over me
Water, wash over you
Water, wash over you and me
Walkin thru those ancient groves of {Paris (Paree) }
Cicadas and Miners all sing a melody so inviting
Open up your ears you'll hear the Jungle calling
Must caress it, luminescent nature sure astounds me
Wash your body in the water
Dry your cares in the sunshine
Feel the wind as it blows (flows) across your body
Let it set your spirit free
Water, wash over you
Water, wash over me
Water, wash over you
Water, wash over you and me
{ } words that are questionable
( ) = played on occasion
The String Cheese Incident’s “Water” is a song about finding peace and freedom through nature. The first verse describes being on the Tasman Sea at sunset, with undulating waves and offshore breezes bringing in the scents of blooming flowers. The singer encourages the listener to wash their body in the water, dry their cares in the sunshine, and let the wind set their spirit free. The second verse references the Shakespeare cliff and southern skies, with a desire to see a view once more in the peace of love. The chorus repeats the message of water washing over you and setting your spirit free.
The third verse paints a picture of walking through ancient groves in Paris, with cicadas and miners singing a melody and the jungle calling out invitingly. The singer once again encourages the listener to wash their body in the water, dry their cares in the sunshine, and feel the wind blowing across their body. The final chorus repeats the message of water washing over you and the listener.
Overall, “Water” is a song that celebrates the healing power of nature and encourages the listener to seek out its cleansing and rejuvenating effects.
Line by Line Meaning
Floating out on the Tasman Sea {in the evening}
Slowly drifting on the Tasman Sea during the nightfall.
Waves roll by, so softly undulating
Gentle waves peacefully move past in a rhythmic pattern.
Offshore breezes bring scents of flowers blooming
The winds from the shore carry fragrant smells of blossoming flowers.
Listen carefully and you will hear her as she callin
If you pay attention, you can hear the ocean calling out to you.
Wash your body in the water
Cleanse your body by immersing it in the water.
Dry your cares in the sunshine
Allow the sun to dry away your worries and troubles.
Feel the wind as it blows (flows) across your body
Experience the sensation of the wind flowing across your skin.
Let it set your spirit free
Let the experience free your soul and lift your spirits.
Climb up Shakespeare cliff just to check the southern skies
Ascend Shakespeare cliff to view the southern skies.
For the least, we're asking to see a view once more
We only ask to have one more glance at the view.
In the peace of love, well it seems so clearly now
Love brings clarity to peaceful moments.
Ride that wave
Surf the wave of life.
thru the rest of my days
Throughout the remainder of my life.
Gonna make it thru some how
Will find a way to persevere.
Water, wash over you
The water cleanses and refreshes you.
Water, wash over me
The water cleanses and refreshes me.
Walkin thru those ancient groves of {Paris (Paree) }
Strolling through the old groves of Paris.
Cicadas and Miners all sing a melody so inviting
The cicadas and miners sing a welcoming tune.
Open up your ears you'll hear the Jungle calling
Listen closely, and you can hear the jungle beckoning to you.
Must caress it, luminescent nature sure astounds me
One must cherish the luminous beauty of nature that amazes me.
Contributed by Cameron E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dana Wright
“Phosphorescent, luminescent, nature’s show astounds me”
Dana Wright
“Cicadas, in minor, all sing a melody so inventing” 100% correct.
@JesseSalazar1204
Adding Lyrics:
Floating out on the Tasman Sea {in the evening}
Waves roll by, so softly undulating
Offshore breezes bring scents of flowers blooming
Listen carefully and you will hear her as she callin
Wash your body in the water
Dry your cares in the sunshine
Feel the wind as it blows (flows) across your body
Let it set your spirit free
Climb up Shakespeare cliff just to check the southern skies
For the least, we're asking to see a view once more
In the peace of love, well it seems so clearly now
Ride that wave
thru the rest of my days
Gonna make it thru some how
Water, wash over you
Water, wash over me
Water, wash over you
Water, wash over you and me
Walkin thru those ancient groves of {Paris (Paree) }
Cicadas and Miners all sing a melody so inviting
Open up your ears you'll hear the Jungle calling
Must caress it, luminescent nature sure astounds me
Wash your body in the water
Dry your cares in the sunshine
Feel the wind as it blows (flows) across your body
Let it set your spirit free
Water, wash over you
Water, wash over me
Water, wash over you
Water, wash over you and me
@nug129
Best song they have played post hiatus. This is my favorite water I have ever heard and seen live!
@dankbrownies
What a sweet version of such a sweet song! One of my favorite Water's of all time was from 12/30/2005 San Francisco if anyone is looking for another to check out (the Rivertrance from that show is about as tasty as they come also). Thanks for sharing guys!
@flipdeck1818
Im so glad these guys continue to tour, there shows are just simply amazing.
@Mdolbey90
one of the most beautiful songs!!
@inspirationstation7208
fully agree... timeless, ethereal... like a dream.
@DrCheeseFunk
Epic Water! The Billy led jam at the end is amazing.
@Landonismo
String Cheese Incident loves you. And I love whoever got this video off of iClips.
@PaulDrkStar
This sure was fun thanks for sharing SCI.......