The String Cheese Incident
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Boulder, Colorado , United States |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
The String Cheese Incident (SCI) is a jam band originating from the United States, specifically from Crested Butte and Telluride, Colorado. Established in 1993, the group consists of Michael Kang (mandolin, electric guitar, violin), Michael Travis (drums, percussion), Bill Nershi (acoustic and electric guitars), Kyle Hollingsworth (keyboards), Keith Moseley (bass guitar), and since 2004, Jason Hann (additional percussion).
Their sound is a fusion of genres such as bluegrass, rock, electronica, calypso, country, funk, jazz, Latin music, progressive rock, reggae, and psychedelic influences. Each member contributes their own original songs as well as vocals.
1993–2001
Initially formed as the Blue String Cheese Band in Crested Butte in 1993 by Nershi, Kang, Travis, and Moseley, the group focused on bluegrass tunes alongside playful covers. They soon adopted the name The String Cheese Incident. By 1996, they committed to music full-time by moving to Boulder, Colorado, leaving their previous occupations behind. To broaden their musical range beyond string instruments, keyboardist Kyle Hollingsworth joined the ensemble.
After gaining experience through performances at local venues and private functions, the band launched their own independent label called SCI Fidelity to release their first album Born on the Wrong Planet. This debut featured a mix of original tracks and covers designed to allow room for improvisation. Songs like "Black Clouds," "Land's End," "Texas," and "Jellyfish" have remained fan favorites throughout their career.
Within less than a year, SCI put out a live recording titled A String Cheese Incident, which captured a show at Boulder’s Fox Theatre. This release officially introduced Hollingsworth as part of the lineup and highlighted extended jam sessions averaging over seven minutes per track.
Their 1998 album 'Round the Wheel presented a more polished sound with deeper lyrical content and included guest appearances by musicians such as Paul McCandless on saxophone and Tony Furtado on banjo. From 1998 through 2001, SCI toured extensively across the United States with more than 500 performances, including a notable set at Woodstock '99.
In 2001, collaborating with guest producer Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, they issued Outside Inside, which shifted toward a mainstream rock style while still incorporating bluegrass elements. Live staples from this album include "Up the Canyon," "Rollover," and "Close Your Eyes."
2002–2004
In August 2003, SCI’s ticketing division—originally SCI Ticketing and now known as Baseline Ticketing—filed a lawsuit against Ticketmaster, which controlled nearly all major venues where the band performed. The lawsuit claimed that Ticketmaster’s policy restricting artists from selling more than 8% of venue tickets directly to fans violated the Sherman Antitrust Act. This legal action followed failed efforts by SCI along with bands like R.E.M. and Pearl Jam to persuade the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate Ticketmaster for excessive fees and anti-competitive behavior. The dispute was resolved in 2008 with a confidential settlement that granted SCI access to a larger share of tickets for direct sale.
October 2003 saw the release of their fourth studio album Untying the Not, produced by Martin "Youth" Glover from the band Killing Joke. This record further incorporated elements from electronic music and trance music, reflecting growing interests in electronic styles among members Travis and Kang.
During summer 2004, SCI made history as the first jam band selected to perform on the touring festival circuit of Lollapalooza. However, due to disappointing ticket sales leading to the event’s cancellation that year, SCI adjusted its plans and modified its summer tour accordingly.
2005–2006
In June 2005, SCI unveiled their fifth studio release, One Step Closer, which included thirteen original compositions co-written with guest songwriter Jim Lauderdale. That same year, percussionist Jason Hann became a member of the group. The album, produced by Malcolm Burn in their home base of Boulder, Colorado, signified a return to their foundational sound by merging traditional influences with a pop-oriented approach.
Managed and booked by Madison House Inc., the band spearheaded the 'Big Summer Classic' tour in 2005. This traveling festival showcased artists such as Umphrey's McGee, Yonder Mountain String Band, Michael Franti & Spearhead, and Keller Williams, performing primarily at medium-capacity outdoor venues including minor-league baseball stadiums.
During 2005, SCI shifted focus toward smaller venues like ski resort bases and summer music festivals around the United States. Although they announced a break from touring in early 2006, they returned to the road that summer with joint headlining performances alongside Bob Weir's RatDog, highlighted by sold-out shows at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado, and an appearance at Minnesota’s 10,000 Lakes Festival featuring acoustic sets by Keller Williams.
2007
SCI revealed plans for multiple concerts in 2007, reinstating their annual Winter Carnival after its absence in 2006, with stops in Denver and Vail, Colorado. Their schedule also included appearances at prominent events like the Bonnaroo Music Festival and 10,000 Lakes Festival. They wrapped up their tenure as leaders in the jamband scene with shows across major cities such as New York, San Francisco, Oregon, a revival of the Big Summer Classic festival at Camp Zoe, culminating with a final series of concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre from August 9–12.
Additionally, they re-recorded their track "Close Your Eyes" in Simlish—the fictional language from The Sims—which was featured in the game’s fifth expansion pack, Seasons.
2008
At the Rothbury Music Festival held in Rothbury, Michigan, each band member performed with their individual side projects: The Kyle Hollingsworth Band and EOTO on Thursday; Panjea alongside Michael Kang and Keller Williams with Keith Moseley on Friday; and the Emmitt-Nershi Band on Saturday. During the Yarmony Grass Music Festival, all members except Keith Moseley reunited on stage to perform "Will it Go 'Round in Circles" and "Pretty Polly."
2009
On March 16, 2009, String Cheese Incident announced their reunion for the second annual Rothbury Festival. They also played a surprise invitation-only "soundcheck" performance at the Ogden Theatre in Denver on June 24.
In October of that year, Michael Travis confirmed plans for performances scheduled for summer and fall of 2010, expressing enthusiasm about reuniting for these upcoming shows.
2010
On February 2, 2010, SCI revealed a seven-show summer reunion tour beginning with a weekend at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, followed by a four-night run titled "Incident" at Horning's Hideout. Their 2010 itinerary wrapped up with a "Hulaween" weekend event on October 29 featuring the Disco Biscuits, plus a three-set performance on October 30 at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia.
On October 20, 2010, Billy Nershi announced plans to host a weekend festival at the Rothbury site the following summer. This event was designed to showcase multiple sets by String Cheese Incident along with performances by affiliated bands and include art installations—mirroring the style of their gatherings at Horning's Hideout.
2011
During 2011, String Cheese Incident hosted a three-night "Winter Carnival" event from March 10 to 12 at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado. The festivities included live acrobatic performances, a costume contest, and a Conscious Alliance food drive that rewarded donors with exclusive posters.
On June 11, they appeared on the Which Stage at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. Later that summer, the band served as headliners for three out of four nights (July 1–3) at the inaugural Electric Forest Festival in Rothbury, Michigan, which they also organized.
On September 19, 2011, String Cheese Incident revealed plans for the Roots Run Deep 2011 Tour, covering stops along the East Coast and select cities in the Midwest.
2014
In 2014, String Cheese Incident unveiled A Song In My Head, their first studio album since 2005, produced by Talking Heads keyboardist Jerry Harrison. To promote the release, they embarked on a short tour that featured a complimentary show in Boulder and a performance at Delfest in Cumberland, Maryland.
2015
In June 2015, the band collaborated with American electronic music producer Skrillex during a jam session at the Electric Forest festival.
2016–2017
Continuing their touring momentum, String Cheese Incident released the album Believe in 2017.
2018
Throughout 2018, the band maintained an active touring presence with performances at venues such as Dillon Amphitheater, The Ride Festival, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and the Electric Forest festival. They were also featured as headliners at the Suwannee Hulaween festival.
2019
The group issued a four-disc live compilation titled 2018 Travelogue, documenting their shows from the previous year. This collection was made available for free download via Nugs.net. Additionally, 2019 marked their 25th anniversary, celebrated through an extensive nationwide tour.
2023
After a six-year hiatus from studio albums, String Cheese Incident released Lend Me a Hand in 2023. They also observed their 30th anniversary with a New Year's Eve concert series held at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California, spanning December 29 through 31.
Stage productions and effects
As their fanbase grew, so did the complexity of their live performances. Collaborating with Peak Experience Productions, they enhanced major events such as New Year's Eve and Halloween ("Hulaween") by integrating psychedelic visuals and interactive elements for audience participation. Immersive themed gatherings like "Full Moon Dream Dance" and "Time Traveler's Ball" highlight this creative direction.
In the early 2000s, SCI established an annual summer festival at Horning's Hideout in Oregon, utilizing Peak Experience’s expertise to deepen fan involvement. Simultaneously, they headlined prominent festivals including Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, and Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival, performing in larger venues to accommodate increasing attendance.
String Cheese Incident was among the first to offer comprehensive live show releases by distributing three-CD sets covering all 19 concerts from their April 2002 spring tour. Drawing inspiration from Phish’s Live Phish series but expanding upon it, they have since made nearly every concert recording accessible through their SCI Fidelity label under the On the Road series. This approach caters especially to fans unable to engage in tape trading.
Side projects
Michael Travis established the acoustic trio Zuvuya in 2001 and later formed the trance group Zilla in 2003.
Bill Nershi, together with his wife Jillian, created the bluegrass and acoustic ensemble Honkytonk Homeslice, extensively touring across the western United States. They are set to embark on a tour alongside Drew Emmitt of Leftover Salmon as part of The Emmitt-Nershi Band. Additionally, Bill leads his own project, Billy Nershi's Blue Planet.
Kyle Hollingsworth heads a band based in Colorado that features members of Boulder’s the Motet, performing both original compositions and SCI tracks.
Michael Kang occasionally collaborates with the African-influenced group Pangaea and dedicates significant time to international travel.
In 2006, Jason Hann and Michael Travis initiated the live looping project EOTO, which briefly included Kyle Hollingsworth and Michael Kang during a 2008 tour. This ensemble performed under the name "The Trancident" at the 2011 Yarmony Grass Music Festival in Colorado. In 2012, EOTO toured with a psychedelic stage design titled "Lotus Flower," created by Zebbler, before disbanding in 2021.
In 2007, Keith Moseley joined Keller Williams’ newly formed band Keller Williams with Moseley, Droll and Sipe for touring, and participated in Grateful Grass, a bluegrass tribute to the Grateful Dead supporting the Rex Foundation.
In 2022, Michael Travis partnered with Aaron Johnston (known for Brazilian Girls and David Byrne's American Utopia) to form the improvisational duo Snakes & Stars.
Members
- Current lineup
- Bill Nershi — acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar, electric slide guitar
- Michael Kang — mandolin (acoustic/electric), electric guitar, violin
- Michael Travis — drums and percussion instruments
- Keith Moseley — bass guitar
- Kyle Hollingsworth — piano, organ, Rhodes keyboard, accordion
- Jason Hann — additional percussion (since 2006)
Each member also contributes lead vocals on selected tracks.
Albums
- Born on the Wrong Planet (1997)
- A String Cheese Incident (1997)
- 'Round the Wheel (1998)
- Breathe – collaboration with Keller Williams (1999)
- Carnival '99 (2000)
- Outside Inside (2001)
- Untying the Not (2003)
- One Step Closer (2005)
- Song in My Head (2014)
- Believe (April 14, 2017)
- Lend Me a Hand (September 8, 2023)
Live series
- On the Road (2002–2007)
- Rhythm of the Road: Vol. 1, Incident in Atlanta – 11.17.00 (2010)
- Rhythm of the Road, Vol. 2: Live in Las Vegas – July 2001 (2015)
Videos
- Pura Vida (2001, VHS)
- Evolution (2001, VHS & DVD)
- Bonnaroo Live (2002, DVD)
- Waiting For the Snow to Fall (2003, DVD)
- Live at the Fillmore Auditorium, Denver: March 23, 2002 (2003, two-disc DVD)
- The Big Compromise (2005 bonus DVD documenting "One Step Closer")
- Live from Austin, Texas (2006, DVD)
- Live from Rothbury Music Festival 2009 (2009, live stream)
Additional contributions
- 107.1 KGSR Radio Austin – Broadcasts Vol.10 (2002) – featured the track "Up the Canyon"
External links
- Official website – offers band biographies, sample MP3 tracks, tour schedules, and information on SCI’s philanthropic efforts ("Gouda Causes").
- Interview with Bill Nershi on Guitar.com – February 2015
- Kyle Hollingsworth’s Sense of Adventure – KyndMusic/RightAction, June 25, 2006