=================================================================================================
IncidentaList Frequently Asked Questions File
Revised: 10-27-99
Purpose of FAQ: This file is a resource for fans of the String Cheese Incident to find
information concerning the band. This document is for non-commercial use
only!!!
FAQ Location: This file may be found on the Internet at .
If you cannot find the answer to your question in this document ask the
IncidentaList by posting your question (see section 1.3) to the group.
Questions: If there are any questions that you would like to see here, or if you think
there is an error in the FAQ, please email Edmund at .
=================================================================================================
Contents:
1.0 Questions about the IncidentaList:
1.1 What is the IncidentaList?
1.2 How do I post to the IncidentaList?
1.3 What can I post to the IncidentaList?
1.4 __TIPS__ for using the IncidentaList? (Includes Leaving & Joining + DIGEST options)
1.5 IncidentaList Customs.
2.0 String Cheese Incident Merchandise:
2.1 How can I order String Cheese Incident merchandise (music and gear)?
2.2 How do I order tickets to a SCI show through SCI Ticketing?
3.0 Questions about the band and the SCI organization:
3.1 Does the String Cheese Incident have an official web site?
3.2 Who are the members of the String Cheese Incident?
3.3 What instruments do the members of SCI play?
3.4 What is the guitar looking instrument that Michael Kang is playing?
3.5 Does the String Cheese Incident endorse any products?
3.6 The String Cheese Incident discography.
3.7 Who else is in the SCI organization?
3.8 How can I find out about tour dates?
3.9 How do I get on the snail-mailing list?
3.10 How can I contact the band?
3.11 How can I contact the String Cheese Incident's management?
3.12 Who do I contact in order to book the String Cheese Incident?
3.13 Who do I contact regarding promotion for the String Cheese Incident?
4.0 Topics that have been extensively discussed on the IncidentaList:
4.1 What fan-based archives are available and where are they?
4.2 Is the song called "Round The Wheel" or "Waiting For The Snow To Fall?"
4.3 What songs does the String Cheese Incident play live?
4.4 Who has played with the String Cheese Incident?
4.5 How did the String Cheese Incident get their name?
4.6 Incidents in Jamaica.
4.7 The story behind the song, "Little Hands".
4.8 Transporting the String Cheese Incident.
4.9 What does "TWLWMYD" stand for?
4.10 The story behind the song "Climb".
4.11 Comparing String Cheese Incident to Phish, the Grateful Dead, etc.
4.12 How did the IncidentaList start?
4.13 Discussions on how vending and touring will affect our community.
4.14 What's up with Travis singing Late In The Evening?
4.15 Who sings the lyrics to "Wake Up".
4.16 Who's writing all these great original songs?
4.17 The evolution of Black Clouds.
4.18 What is a FOC?
4.19 Who makes the amazing batik backdrops and t-shirts for SCI?
4.20 Who is Terrapin Productions and what is their role in our community?
4.21 What is the story behind the song, "100 Year Flood"
4.22 What is the connection between SCI and hula hoops?
4.23 How do you make hula hoops?
4.24 Who is Lester?
4.25 How did Kyle join the band?
4.26 Details about Mike Kang's mandolin setup.
4.27 Defeating MIME when emailing the IncidentaList.
4.28 String Cheese Incident acronym's dictionary.
4.29 "Kang is my co-pilot" stickers on the Simpson's.
4.30 What is the "Black Furry Possum", and why do all my tapes say Blackberry Blossom?
5.0 Questions about live tapes and taping:
5.1 Will String Cheese Incident allow me to audio tape their live shows?
5.2 What about video taping?
5.3 How can someone without any live tapes get some?
5.4 What are some particularly good shows to get?
5.5 Can you take pictures at an Incident?
5.6 String Cheese Incident's view on CDr and taping mediums.
5.7 Tips on CDr recording by our guru Colin Gibbons.
5.8 What you can do to help stop bootleg music.
5.9 Information regarding the Patchbay being used by SCI.
6.0 SCI History
6.1 The incident at Shady Grove 5-25-97.
6.2 The origins of the String Cheese Incident.
6.3 Information about the song, "Sand Dollar".
7.0 Future plans for the FAQ:
Keep on adding Frequently Asked Questions in the topics we discuss a great deal. The
idea is to incorporate this into an interactive web site that is a relational database
linking the FAQ, the setlists, the song and guest list, and other things of interest in
a fan page. This idea is under development by several qualified FOC. 2/17/99 - EEE
=================================================================================================
1.0 Questions about the IncidentaList:
1.1 What is the IncidentaList?
The IncidentaList is a forum for people across the world to discuss the musical
experience we call the String Cheese Incident.
1.2 How do I post to the IncidentaList?
Send an email to .
The email will be sent to everyone subscribed to the IncidentaList.
1.3 What can I post to the IncidentaList?
As a general rule of thumb we try to keep the discussion focused around the String Cheese
Incident, and the experiences we all have that weave into this community. If you are new
to the IncidentaList, please check out the archive provided by Netspace:
so you can find out the topics we have
been discussing, as well as answer some questions you probably have about us!! You might
also consider checking out Section 4.0 of the FAQ which focuses on topics that have been
extensively discussed on the IncidentaList.
Please take a minute to read the List Customs to help understand this community:
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Coffeehouse/3210/LinkCustoms.txt
1.4 __TIPS__ for using the IncidentaList.? (Includes Leaving & Joining + DIGEST options.)
The EASIEST way to change any of your settings is going to:
Entering in your name and email address, then click the radio buttons to change your
options... That includes switching from digest to message based... and leaving or
joining. uses some great software for these features!
THANKS to Cory Ferber for this excellent information.
Are there alternative ways to receive the IncidentaList?
Yes, if you don't want to receive numerous individual email messages from the
IncidentaList each day, you have a few options to consider:
DIGEST:
Set your subscription option to DIGEST and LISTSERV will send you one email daily with
ALL of the posts to the digest for that day in the body of the email. This way you can
scroll through the different posts quickly in one email, instead of being overwhelmed
with 25 emails a day. To set your subscription to the IncidentaList to DIGEST go to:
WEB ARCHIVE
The final way to read the IncidentaList is to unsubscribe totally and read the emails
whenever you want through the list archives on Netspace. It only takes a couple minutes
for an email posted to the list to be archived. You can go to the archive and choose the
week you want to view, then sort the emails by date or author. Thanks NetSpace!!!
IncidentaList Archive: .
1.5 IncidentaList Customs.
These List Customs were put together to help preserve the community we have. Please take
a few minutes and read through them for everyone's benefit.
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Coffeehouse/3210/LinkCustoms.txt
=================================================================================================
2.0 String Cheese Incident Merchandise:
SCI NOW HAS ON-LINE ORDERING!!!!
Check out the String Cheese Incident home page for up to date information on ordering
CD's, merchandise, and tickets.
2.1 How can I order String Cheese Incident merchandise (music and gear)?
To purchase CD's head down to your favorite local record store and see if they have your
desired Cheese CD in stock ("Born On The Wrong Planet", "A String Cheese Incident", or
"Round The Wheel", see the Discography in section 3.6 for more information). If they do
not have the CD you desire, you can ask them to order it through String Cheese Incident
Gear by calling the toll free number (800-437-9382). If you would like to order it
directly through SCI you can do this online at the band's website,
,
In addition to online service, you may also place an order by choosing Printable Order
from the Order page of the website and using one of the following methods:
Order By Phone by calling 303.544.5875. Have your Visa or MasterCard (or money order)
and a completed order form ready and well confirm availability of items immediately.
Order by Fax by sending a complete order form (with phone number, credit card number and
expiration date) to 303.544.5879.
Order by Mail by sending a complete order form, with your money order or credit card
number and expiration date. Send mail orders to:
SCI GEAR
2405 Broadway
Boulder, CO. 80304 USA
Please allow 24 hours for your order to be processed. Orders are processed Monday - Friday
10 am to 5 pm MST and in most cases will be sent to you within 2 weeks. If you have any
questions, feel free to contact SCI Gear at 303.544.5875 or email us at:
.
2.2 How do I order tickets to a SCI show through SCI Ticketing?
Go to the band's website for all the information about upcoming shows,
, under TOUR DATES. To order tickets on-line, click on
SCI TICKETING and follow the directions, or you can contact SCI Tickering at:
1-303-544-5879.
=================================================================================================
3.0 Questions about the band and the organization:
3.1 Does the String Cheese Incident have an official web site?
But of course, .
The official Internet site of the String Cheese Incident. Here you can find information
about the band, the latest tour dates (including the phone number of the venue),
merchandise information, band photos, and other cheese related news. You can also get on
the snail mailing list so you'll get the Gouda News delivered to your home.
3.2 Who are the members of the String Cheese Incident?
Kyle Hollingsworth: Accordion, Keyboards, vocals
Michael Kang: Mandolin, Fiddle, vocals
Keith Moseley: Bass guitar, vocals
Bill Nershi: Acoustic guitar, vocals
Michael Travis: Drums, percussion, vocals
3.3 What instruments do the members of SCI play?
Kyle Hollingsworth:
-accordion
-Eurico Roselli accordion
-keyboards
-Roland A-90
-Hammond B3 portable organ
-Fender Rhodes
-Played through a Leslie 145 cabinet
-vocals
Michael Kang:
-acoustic mandolin
-8 string A Model Red Diamond acoustic mandolin
-electric mandolin
-5 string Taproot electric mandolin
-5 string Berenger electric mandolin
-5 String Ron Oates electric mandolin
-fiddle
-4 string Zeta Strades fiddle
-vocals
Bill Nershi:
-acoustic guitar
-Santa Cruz Guitar Company H Model
-Martin D28 acoustic
-Pendulum SPS1 preamplifier
-vocals
Keith Moseley:
-electric bass
-5 string Modulus Q5
-5 string Modulus Q5 Sweetspot
-Alembic preamplifier
-SWP speakers
-vocals
Michael Travis:
-drums and percussion
-Tribes custom SPC drum kit
-8, 10, 14 inch toms
-22 x 18 kick drum
(clear Ambassador heads in toms)
-Ludwig 6.5 x 14 inch hammered bronze snare drum
(coated Ambassador on snare)
-Sabian hand hammered median heavy ride cymbal
-17, 15, 14, 12, 6 inch crash / splashs
-14 inch china
-13 inch Sabian Fusion high-hats
-11,12.5 inch LP original model fiberglass congas and bongos
-Matador timbalitos
-Vic Firth Buddy Rich drum sticks
-vocals
3.4 What is that guitar looking instrument the Michael Kang is playing?
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 01:58:46 -0700
Reply-To: jonomix@frii.com
Sender: The IncidentaList
Subject: Re: Kang's new mando
It is a 5 string Mando that plays (is tuned) an octave lower than the Tap
Root (Electric Mando). It was made by Ron Oates out of Boulder and the
design looks more like a Paul Reed Smith (PRS Guitars) with an F hole. I'm
sure many folks will think it is a guitar as it looks like one ( It's not).
EEE's note: Ron Oates also made Drew Emmitt's (from Leftover Salmon) electric mandolin.
3.5 Does the String Cheese Incident endorse any products?
Endorsements:
-The string players in the String Cheese Incident (Billy, Keith, and Michael) all use
D'Addario Guitar Strings exclusively. Check out D'Addario's web site located at:
.
-Keith Moseley uses Modulus Bass Guitars exclusively. Check out Modulus' web site
located at . Also to note, other fine musicians using
Modulus Bass Guitars include Oteil Burbridge, Mike Gordon, Phil Lesh, Tye North, and
David Schools to name a few.
3.6 The String Cheese Incident discography.
a. Round The Wheel SCIFidelity Records
Tracks:
1. Samba DeGreeley (:42) Bill Nershi
2. Come As You Are (6:38) Michael Kang
3. Restless Wind (3:47) Bill Nershi
4. On The Road (3:55) Bill Nershi
5. Road Home (5:06) Bill Nershi
6. Galactic (7:13) Hollingsworth: music / Kang: lyrics
7. 100 Year Flood (6:09) Bill Nershi
8. MLT (6:24) Kyle Hollingsworth
9. Got What He Wanted (4:27) Kyle Hollingsworth
10. Round The Wheel (7:25) Bill Nershi
11. Good Times Around The Bend (3:26) Bill Nershi
b. String Cheese Incident Live Whibble Music
Tracks:
1. Lonesome Fiddle Blues (9:58) Vassar Clements
2. Little Hands (8:16) Bill Nershi
3. Dudley's Kitchen (3:02) Bill Nershi
4. Rhythm Of The Road (6:08) Bill Nershi
5. How Mountain Girls Can Love (2:56) Ralph Stanley
6. Pirates (9:27) Michael Kang
7. Wake Up (7:05) Bill Nershi
8. Land's End (12:00) Tim O'Brien
9. San Jose (8:53) Bill Nershi & Michael Kang
10. Walk This Way (4:46) Steve Tyler & Joe Perry
-Recorded on 32 tracks of A-DAT at the Fox Theater on February 27, 1997.
-Dave Gittleman was the recording engineer.
-Released June 1997 - the week prior to Telluride Bluegrass Festival.
c. Born on the Wrong Planet Whibble Tunes
Tracks:
1. Black Clouds (4:23) Bill Nershi
2. Born On The Wrong Planet (4:57) Bill Nershi
3. Land's End (5:19) Tim O'Brien
4. The Remington Ride (4:10) Traditional
5. Resume' Man (3:46) Keith Moseley
6. Elvis' Wild Ride (4:29) Bill Nershi
7. Bigger Isn't Better (6:32) Bill Nershi
8. Johnny Cash (6:06) Bill Nershi
9. Lest Had A Coconut (4:25) Jack Rajca
10. Diggin' In (2:34) Michael Travis
11. Texas (8:46) Bill Nershi
12. Jellyfish (5:25) Bill Nershi
-Recorded January 1996 at Akashic Recording Studios.
-Released June 14, 1996 with a party at the Boulder Theater.
3.7 Who else is in the String Cheese Incident organization?
Many fine people put a great deal of effort into making every Incident a night to
remember. Some of those folks include:
Jesse Aratow Tour Manager
Reis Baron Pirates Program & SCI-Fidelity Records
Rob "Daddy-O" Breitenfeld Accounting
Andy Carroll Lighting Director
Phil Crumrine House Sound and Multi-track Recording
Kelly Dalton Madison House Travel
Brooks Elliot Archives
Randy Garfinkle Madison House, Inc.
Joe Grasso Road Manager
John Greer Special Events and Vibe Coordinator
David Hamilton SCI-Fidelity Records
Carrie Lombardi Publicity
Mike Luba Management & Booking (Madison House, Inc.)
Brad Mastrine SCI Gear Wholesale Program
Jason Mastrine SCI Gear & Ticketing Management
Mindy Mastrine SCI Gear & Ticketing Operations
Jack Mento Accounting
Kevin Morris SCIFidelity Records
Nels Nelson Monitors & Stage
Scott Nichols SCI Gear Road Merchandise & Stage
Jon O'Leary Sound Engineer
Brook "Boogie" Parlow Stage Manager
Lisa Pomerantz Madison House Travel
Nadia Prescher Management & Booking (Madison House, Inc.)
Jimmy Purich Set Design & Stage
Matt "Chewy" Smith SCI-Fidelity Records
Jeremy Stein Management & Booking (Madison House, Inc.)
Interns
James Marshello SCI Gear & Ticketing
Christine Stauder Madison House, Inc.
Meghan Dolman Madison House, Inc.
Josh Lubin SCI Gear & Ticketing
Dave Sonenstein Madison House, Inc.
3.8 How can I find out about tour dates?
Check out the web site: under Tour Dates, or call the
String Cheese Incident hotline: 303-417-8909
3.9 How do I get on the snail-mailing list?
You can go to the String Cheese Incident home page to
get on the mailing list and receive your very own copy of the Gouda News.
If you are not on line, send a postcard to Madison House Inc. expressing your desire to
be on the mailing list. See the Sec 3.11 for the address.
** Gouda News **
The official String Cheese Incident newsletter. The Gouda News has information on
upcoming shows, available merchandise, and general cheese news that you really wouldn't
want to miss. The Gouda News is supplemented by periodic fliers informing you of String
Cheese Incidents happening all over the country.
3.10 How can I contact the band?
The best way at this point is to send whatever your mail to Madison House addressed to
the String Cheese Incident, or the particular person you wish to send something to. The
folks at Madison House will pass things along to the band. For instance if I wanted to
send Billy something, I would send it to:
Bill Nershi
c/o Madison House Inc.
2401 Broadway
Boulder, CO.
80304
3.11 How can I contact the String Cheese Incident's management?
Madison House Inc. manages String Cheese Incident and books all of the band's gigs. They
also represent other cool bands that you'll know and love (Galactic for example). Mike
Luba, Nadia Prescher, Josh Moore, and Sara Kelly make up the friendly staff at Madison
House Inc.
Phone: 303-544-9900
Web Site:
Mailing Address:
Madison House Inc.
2401 Broadway
Boulder, CO.
80304
3.12 Who do I contact in order to book the String Cheese Incident?
Monterey Peninsula Artists
Phone: 408-375-4889
Or talk to Mike, Nadia, or Jeremy at Madison House, Inc.
Mike Luba
Nadia Prescher
Jeremy Stein
3.13 Who do I contact regarding promotion for the String Cheese Incident?
Call or email Madison House and speak with their representatives who will point you in
the right direction.
=================================================================================================
4.0 Topics that have been extensively discussed on the IncidentaList:
4.1 What fan-based archives are available, and where are they?
The IncidentaList archives:
Check out what has already happened by looking in the list archive located at
.
Thanks to Netspace and Brown University!!
Setlist archive:
Located at http: this site
contains setlists from MANY String Cheese Incident show across the country. This is a
work in progress and changes as new setlists are uncovered. The setlist archive was
created by, and is maintained by Lance. Please send any new setlists or corrections to
. Thanks Lance!!!
The IncidentaList web site:
Located at this site contains links to information on
what songs String Cheese Incident plays, whose played with them, and links to other
cheesy web sites created by fans. Special thanks to Mitch Hendrickson for hosting the
IncidentaList web site.
Photos:
Here are several sites that have some excellent photos of the Band in action:
Jason Schwartz
Terrapin Prod.
Shawn Fierro
Jen Fischer
4.2 Is the name of the song "Round The Wheel" or "Waiting For The Snow To Fall?"
"Round The Wheel" is a song written by Bill Nershi. We know it has existed since at
least 1994 when Billy used to play music with Liza Oxnard, lead singer for the band Zuba,
and "Round The Wheel" was in their repertoire.
The String Cheese Incident debuted the rearranged version on 1-23-96 in Eugene, OR. at
the Wild Duck Tavern. Its name has been debated ever since with the band members
regularly calling it "Waiting For The Snow To Fall" and writing it on their set lists as
"Waiting". I spoke with Billy concerning this on 8-21-96 in Salem, OR. at the State Fair
and he told me in so many words:
Mike is always introducing it as a song about snow!!!! But listen to the words:
"Waiting for the snow to fall.
Watching the moon as it grows.
Looking deep into your eyes.
Spinning round the wheel of life."
It is a song about life, and watching the years and seasons go by - change. The snow,
the moon, a woman you love.... It is a song about how we all evolve as we go through
life! And when it comes out on the album it will be called "Round The Wheel".
Now on 2-20-98 the String Cheese Incident are recording their yet to be released CD
called "Round The Wheel". The CD should be out in time for the Telluride Bluegrass
Festival in June '98. With the release of the CD the debate over the name of the song
will finally be put to rest.
4.3 What songs do String Cheese Incident play?
Go to , here you'll find a link to a list of songs
the String Cheese Incident performs live. Note there is a file sorted by song title, as
well as a file sorted by song origin (cover / original). Thanks again to Mitch
Hendrickson for hosting the IncidentaList web site.
4.4 Who has played with the String Cheese Incident?
Go to , here you'll find a link to a list of guests
that have graced the stage with the String Cheese Incident. Note there is a file sorted
by date, as well as a file sorted alphabetically by guest. Thanks again to Mitch
Hendrickson for hosting the IncidentaList web site.
4.5 How did the String Cheese Incident get their name?
In 1993 there was a band in Crested Butte, Colorado called the...
Blue String Cheese Band> (6 months)
String Cheese Conspiracy> (1 week)
String Cheese Incident
A friend in Crested Butte came up with the phrase Incident in describing the band's live
show. The name String Cheese Incident seemed a little less threatening then the String
Cheese Conspiracy.
This information came from Michael Travis in Ketchum, ID. 12-15-97.
4.6 Incident in Jamaica:
As of 3-3-98 the word from Mr. John Greer is:
String Cheese Incident will be playing at Alfred's in Negril, Jamaica on May 24th and
25th. These two shows will be in the evening. In truly Jamaican style, these shows will
be completely FREE! E-mail John for more details on the Jamaican adventure.
And here in 1999 we know that SCI did indeed go to Jamaica and return over that fateful
Memorial Day weekend when many of us IncidentaList members gathered in Negril for a week
of fun and cheese.
4.7 The story behind the song, "Little Hands":
On 7/14/98, at the Blue Bird in Bloomington, Indiana, Bill Nershi gave this introduction
to the song "Little Hands" that he wrote. It appears on the CD "String Cheese Incident
Live":
"We're gonna do a tune that I wrote on a backpacking trip I did with my good buddy, Sean
McNamara, back around the Moab area, down around Indian Creek, which is a really good
climbing spot over in Utah. We went to a place called Cathedral Butte, and went down,
way down into this canyon and found a bunch of Indian ruins, some old kivas and some
arrowheads and yucca rope and stuff like that. One thing: we went into this cave, we
went into this dwelling that you could tell they were making like tor...I don't know what
they were doin'...they were making like tortilla stuff. They were rolling corn and you
could see the worn out rocks. Above your head, you looked up and there were all these
hand prints on the ceiling of people that lived there. I don't know, it was like their
signature, that they lived there. They would get a bunch of white paint of some sort on
their hands and put their little hand prints up there and I wrote this song about that."
Winding down the dusty trail from Cathedral Butte.
Walking towards the canyon floor playing Anasasi flutes.
Eagles flying overhead beneath the desert sky.
Makes me thing 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 down the road.
The earth, the sun, the moon and the stars, meant so much back then.
But years go by and though you try you can't bring them back again.
4.8 Transporting the String Cheese Incident. (by John Greer 4/99 & EEE)
?/95 - 10/96 (?) Jean-Claude Band Van
JCVB was donated to the cause by Neil and Ruth Travis after we lusted over her fine lines
at their house on out very first trip through cali. we did a gig at the Travs place in
tarzana on easter. several months later the van was ours. we often set her up as a mobile
tequila bar, most notably outside of the Sweetwater. the management of the bar "loved" us
running outside w/ friends during set break to get blasted on tequila. hula-hooping in the
road in mill valley... Keith and i built a bunk-deck in the van in Nederland so that we
could lay down in shifts. we still drove the van and one truck for a while before that.
then, we got trailer and all got in one vehicle. yikes. when we first took Kyle out, one
of us had to sit on a cooler between the two back captains chairs!
10/96 (?) - Present Bussy
During this period, we began to dream big! looking into more advanced vehicles it became
obvious that for serious miles, one should have a diesel pusher, the name given to diesel
vehicles with a rear engine. after looking for several months i heard that CB was getting
rid of two ski shuttle busses. several of my buds drive these busses, so i asked them
which of the two was the better. hands down they said, was the "Aspen Leaf" bus. Kang and
i went to look at it, spent hours with the mechanic and gave her a test drive. it was
fate! our home town provided the bus. considering the conversion process was the next step.
Tearing the seats out of Bussy wasn't easy. The ski bus had been cleaned for years by
simply hosing it out, allowing the mud and grime from many ski boots to flow around the
floor of the bus, working it's way down into the holes where the seats were attached. Long
story short: we ripped the seats out by blasting the bolts apart with pneumatic hammers
because they wouldn't back out. After this escapade the band was coming to town for a
wedding. After this wedding Bussy made her first voyage around town with a substantial
part of the wedding party rolling around in the back of the bus. We hauled up to the
Gothic trailhead and howled at the moon for a while and then back to town. The next
morning I awoke and surveyed the scene. There were bottles of wine and champagne rolling
around in the back of the bus and the carpet stunk of elderberries.
Trying to get our steed legal was the next hurdle. Kang and i took the bus to a truck
scale in order to verify that she weighed less than 26,000 pounds. She did! We got a CB
cop to "verify" that she was a converted motorhome so that we could get that type of
registration, meaning that anyone could drive her without a CDL. He styled us on the
verification and we proceeded.
Our maiden voyage was meant to test Bussy's basic functioning as a workhorse and we went
to Vail and on to Salt Lake City. We kept blowing the hose off of the turbo and we tried
several band-aid solutions on route. I remember Billy working out the lyrics to Rhythm of
the Road that day, sitting in the back against the huge pile of gear. We didn't have a
trailer yet, so we just piled all of the equipment in back. Besides the turbo line, the
bus seemed to be doing quite well. We made it to SLC and played the Black Diamond party.
Back in Colorado, I took the bus down to Denver to get the trailer hitch welded on. After
buying out first trailer I drove back to Boulder in rush hour! Pulling into Billy's back
yard, I began to design the bunk setup in the bus. With only a handful of days to go until
we were leaving for the first East Coast tour we had to get busy. With the help of a guy
named Billy Schuler we built the bunks and bulkhead into Bussy in four days, sunup to
sundown. We custom-ordered futons for the bunks a friend Page sewed some curtains. My main
criteria was that I wanted the bunks to be substantially bigger than those on a tour bus.
People should be able to raise their arms above their heads and stretch in bed, so I
designed the bunks to accomodate a human and a big area for duffle bag and personal effects.
The basic bunk setup complete, we were able to head East, after two great shows at the Fox
in Boulder. The first night out into Nebraska I got the bus stuck in some sand. we had
lots to learn about driving a bus.....
We had the bus like that for more than a year before Frank Vallerio did some nice finish
work on the front compartment.
The ski tubes have stayed on mostly because they're really hard to remove, but also they
remind us of home. They have been occasionally used to haul skis.
EEE footnote:
Bussy used to haul the trailer with all of SCI's sound and stage equipment. Since we've
hit 1999 the band has taken to bringing a rented truck on the road for the gear,
lightening Bussy's load a bit. Bussy's broken down several times over the years, leading
to other adventures we will not chronicle here... but she has always bounced back...
4.9 What does "TWLWMYD" stand for?
This is an acronym for, "That's What Love Will Make You Do", the outstanding song
written by Thigpen & Banks, and performed by many artists. When SCI plays the tune Mike
Kang takes the lead vocals, and it often features some large jams led by Mike on electric
mandolin.
4.10 The story behind the song "Climb".
This is a song written by Michael Kang, debuted in Asheville, NC. on 5-8-98. It is a
song about striving forward in life, and draws from Mike's experience as a rock climber. John
Greer made the following response to the IncidentaList after some harsh comments on the
cheesy nature of Climb's lyrics.
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 09:40:13
Reply-To: john greer
Sender: The IncidentaList
Subject: Climbing......
heynow friends of the cheese,
This leads me to CLIMB. Michael Kang, at one time an avid rock climber and still an avid
telemark skier, wrote that song to celebrate the spirit of those who aspire to climb peaks,
to see further, to push themselves and their comrades to new heights. It is certainly a
metaphor for all achievements. But, on a very real level, Kang has lost three very special
friends during the five years since the SCI ball got rolling. CLIMB is dedicated to the
memory of these friends, and to inspire all of us to continue to do what we need to feed
our souls. one love, greer;-]>
4.11 Comparing String Cheese Incident to Phish, the Grateful Dead, etc.
Please tread carefully on this subject as many people have strong opinions about all of
these bands, and those opinions need to be respected. Also remember there are MANY other
forums to discuss the Grateful Dead and Phish... this is the String Cheese Incident List.
This topic has come up again, and again, and again... and I'm sure (regretfully), it will
continue to rear its head as new people sign on to the list and fall into the human
nature of comparing and trying to decide who is "best". One thing most of us have agreed
upon is all of these bands are composed of incredibly talented musicians who create music
with a spirit of improvisation, and though opinions may differ, this is usually the
foundation we can fall back on. Remember that every person is entitled to their own
opinion on ALL music.
WARNING: Discussing Phish and the Grateful Dead can create long threads on the list that
are NOT very cheesy.
4.12 How did the IncidentaList start?
The list started in October 1997 when several members of the Leftover Salmon listserve
decided it was time to create a space where the Cheese could stand alone. Take a look
back in the Netspace Archives and you can look at the first posts to the list as they
founding members enthusiastically joined the list creating this community.
4.13 Discussions on how vending and touring will affect our community.
Take a look in the Netspace Archives from February 1, 1999 - Februrary 21, 1999 and
you'll get a whole lot of opinion on how vending could affect the String Cheese Incident
experience we know and love.
4.14 What's up with Travis singing Late In The Evening?
For some reason this is Travis' song to sing. SCI has been playing it very sporadically
for years. In 1997 they played it once. In 1998 as the year went on people began asking
for it and the band has begun to pull it out occasionally. A big "LET TRAVIS SING" chant
will sometimes draw this out. Look for a wacky vocal jam in the middle led by the
Starfruit Commander himself, Homer Travis McGee.
4.15 Who sings the lyrics to "Wake Up"?
"Wake Up" was written by Bill Nershi, but is usually sung by Michael Kang. On rare
occasions as a special treat Billy will sing "Wake Up". This first came about in
Telluride at the Quonset Hut 6/21/97 when Michael forgot the lyrics and Billy had to
step in and finish the song. That was met with such enthusiasm by many fans that the
band decided to start having Billy sing "Wake Up" to mix things up every now and again.
If you see Billy sing "Wake Up", you're seeing something special.
4.16 Who's writing all these great original songs?
All the guys in the band write the original music we love. Billy wrote most of the
lyrics in the early days and is still the most prolific songwriter in the band, but
all of the guys, Kyle and Michael Kang especially, write songs that the band performs.
4.17 The evolution of Black Clouds.
Black Clouds has always had a "middle" section. In the earlier years in 1996 it was a
jam similar in feel to "Rhum 'n' Zouc". In the summer of 1997 SCI started to slow down
the middle portion and Kyle began taking a solo that then led to a solo by Billy, which
jammed back into Black Clouds. This became known as the 'AFM' jam because of the
similarities in the jam to the song "Angel From Montgomery" by John Prine to some ears.
After discussions with the band we now realize this 'AFM' jam is really the same
progression of notes as Black Clouds, just played much, much, slower; giving it a feel
similar to 'AFM', but that is not really 'AFM'.
To confuse matters more there have been two occasions when Kyle has indeed played "Angel
From Montgomery" in the middle of Black Clouds as a tip of the cap to those 'AFM'
inquiries by fans. Those shows were 1/23/98 Fort Collins, CO. and 3/28/98 in Oylmpia, WA.
4.18 What is a "FOC"?
A "Friend Of Cheese"; which is a moniker that any fan of the band can hang their hat on.
A Friend Of Cheese is a friend indeed.
4.19 Who makes the amazing batik backdrops and t-shirts for SCI?
Austin Shaw has been the primary creator of the batik artwork that has become the focus
of much of SCI's stage setup, but of late the folks at Terrapin Productions, and artist
Michael Everett have also taken an active hand creating several hanging "jellyfish" to
compliment the "waterfall women" that Austin created for the band in 1998. The most recent
addition by Austin is an amazing batik of Michael Everett's "Round The Wheel" cover art,
which is almost to magnificent to describe. It so a large square tapestry that SCI only
uses in a theater setting right now as the area behind the stage needs to be tall enough
to display the whole tapestry.
Austin Shaw is also the creator of the old style String Cheese Incident batik t-shirts
(that they no longer sell) depicting a circular batik design of the mountains in winter.
Two tapestries that Austin made for the band have a season of the year as a theme. For
everyone with "A String Cheese Incident", the live CD by SCI, the cover is a photograph of
Austin's winter tapestry. When the band was playing small bars, depending on the time of
year they would bring the appropriate backdrop. There is also a spring tapestry with
flowers blooming in the meadows and the white capped mountains in the background. In 1998
Austin made four "waterfall women" for the band which were long tapestries that had batik
waterfalls flowing down, but if you looked closely at the waterfalls there was actually a
woman's body there. These are really mind blowing piece of art by Austin in my opinion.
Bill Nershi made a batik tapestry in the fall of 1997 which was used to compliment Austin's
batik backdrops. Billy's was a mountain theme on black with streaks in the background for
the sky. It was used the winter of 1997 primarily. I have not seen it in the last year.
In the spring of 1999 I have also noticed another Austin batik that has been showing up on
stage, sometimes coming off of Travis's drum riser. The batik is orange in the background
with a forest of birch trees in Austin's style.
When I go to see an Incident I always feel they bring a piece of the mountains with SCI
to anywhere they may be playing in the country. The tapestries, hula-hoops, and mountain
music are just some of the ingredients that make up a String Cheese Incident.
4.20 Who is Terrapin Productions and what is their role in our community?
Terrapin Productions has become very closely tied with SCI and this community through
their hard work and dedication putting on great shows in Albuquerque, NM at the
El Rey Theater, and the now famous Wool Warehouse.
Sandy and Norm Ruth, along with artist Michael Everett are the heart of Terrapin
Productions. Michael's artwork goes back to his days working with the Grateful Dead
and many others, before turning to the Cheese to create incredible artwork in the form
of shirts, posters, and album art like Round The Wheel.
4.21 What is the story behind the song, "100 Year Flood".
Billy wrote this song in 1996 living through a flood that took place in New York State
in the county that some of the Nershi clan reside in. Three messages shown below help
to give some background; from Ellie (Billy's sister), Dave (Billy's brother), and a FOC
who live in Schoharie County.
******
Winter of '96, too much snow (and) too much rain would mix,
And when that winter day turned warm, many a town would come to harm,
Out on Chasebrook Road that night, that's where some people lost their lives,
100 feet wide and 50 feet deep, there's a hole where the road used to be...
(The) water's risin', rain's still coming down...
There's a river 5 feet deep running down Main Street...
Grab your children, (better) head for higher ground...
Cause the dam broke loose, (and) the flood's gonna wash away this town...
*****
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 08:45:30 EST
Reply-To: NECEVP@AOL.COM
Subject: 100 Year Flood
Bill's oldest brother Tom (who is my brother, too) lives in Jefferson, NY, which is in
Schoharie County near Stamford. Bill was visiting Tom in 1996 when the flooding occurred.
This was the inspiration for the song. For many years the family has had a summer place
-- which was an old dairy farm -- in Delhi. That's not too far from Walton. This is
upstate New York in the Catskills. This is a beautiful rural area and Bill has drawn many
of his inspirations for songs from there.
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 01:03:50 -0500
From: Michael Saez
Subject: 100 Year Flood
I grew up in Schoharie county in upstate NY, 30 miles southwest of Albany. Yes in winter
of 1996 there was an unusual amount of snow in the Catskill Mountains, then on one day in
January it rained so much that floodwaters of the Schoharie Creek washed away roads,
bridges, century-old houses, killed some people. Indeed there was five feet of water
running down main street in the village of Middleburgh. There are a couple of dams along
the river but none ever broke though. There is also a place called Walton somewhere up
there. I was very surprised to hear this song. I'd like to know the story behind their
inspiration for writing it (i.e. were they in the NY area at the time?).
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 19:36:24 EST
Sender: The IncidentaList
From: EF5457@AOL.COM
Subject: 100 Year Flood - 3 Year Anniversary
Today, 1/19/99, marks the 3 year anniversary of the "100 Year Flood" ... I just spoke
with my sister-in-law, who lives in Scoharie County, NY...they had some major downpours
last week, and even had thunder and lightning yesterday, which frightened many people as
that is how the 1996 flood began...There was some flooding in Walton, NY yesterday, but
I don't think it was too serious. However, especially in light of the 3 year anniversary,
I'm sure everyone is taking all the necessary precautions to ensure their safety...
4.22 What is the connection between SCI and hula hoops?
Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 11:23:09 -0600
Reply-To: john greer
Sender: The IncidentaList
Subject: Re: Why Hula Hoops?
>> How did the whole thing with hula hoops start, anyway?>>
Back several years in Telluride, a friend of SCIs started salvaging in-floor heating
tubing from construction sites. he joined these scraps of appropriate length and the
modern, heavier hoop was born. hooping is obvious fun and some local gals picked up on
it. cheryl, beth, kathy and others began taking their hoops to outdoor parties, festivals
and wherever else. fun spreads and so it began!
Everyone in the cheese band learned to hoop fairly early on and we began traveling with
hoops. it is such a visual thing that folks all over picked up on it. memorable hooping
moments spring to mind like hooping in front of the Sweetwater in MIll Valley after the
first SCI gig there. 20 people in the street learning.
I remember Kyle first puzzling at just what was up with us. after some time he
began to get it too. now it may be one of the main forms of "road fitness."
Another memory: Austin texas at Stubb's BBQ, after the first SCI gig, in the light rain,
probably 50 or more people learning to hoop that very night. everywhere the band went,
the hoops came along. it's been spreading ever since.....
It may be the ultimate fitness self-empowerment for the next millenium. for a couple of
bucks and a trip to home depot you can make one. start too big, cut it down 'til its
right and voila! the connectors won't hold on their own generally, so tape over the joint
w/ a strong tape. decorate as you choose and hoop it up!!!
Hope that helps w/ the hula mystery.
take care everyone,
greer;-]>
4.23 How do you make hula hoops?
Hula Hoop making 101:
Here's some info that I've forgotten to share... thanks to Niki & Scot for their
assistance in doing this.... We went to Home Depot one day, and what you need to get
(after careful consideration), is 3/4 inch 200 PSI Poly Tube Pipe.... it's *very*
important you get the right kind of pipe or your hoop quality will suffer.... we bought
and have experimented with several kinds, and this seems to work best... If I were you
I'd just have a hoop making party... a roll of this tubing cost about $25 or something
like that... you can make roughly 15 hoops with that much tubing, so it's not that outta
hand cost wise.
You need a cutter to cut the tubing... you'll want to measure out the size of the hoop
you want, I like mine sorta big, but to each their own... and then cut to that length...
so you need some sort of pipe cutter.
The next trick is connecting the hoops... You'll need to buy connectors (make sure you
get the right size)... these should be right around the pipe. So if you're using the
above example pipe, you'd get 3/4 inch connectors. Get as many as the number of hoops
you plan to make.
You'll also want something to solidify that connection... we used ABS Cement... in black,
made by Oatey... don't get to much though; a little bit goes a long way... We bought an
8oz container and I still have a bunch... Anyway, so you put some cement on your
connector and connect the hoops, and then let the cement dry... extra cement can just be
rubbed off the hoop... but make sure you don't get this cement all over the place... that
could be ugly.
You'll want a roll of black tape too... some electrical tape works well. Once you've
put in the connector with the glue, slap some tape around the seem so it's smooth... In
many cases people skip the glue and just tape over where the connector has joined the
hoop, solidifying the seam, whish usually holds well enough.
Let this dry for a half hour or so and you're good to go... Well, then you need a whole
bunch of stickers to decorate it with... that's the fun part. All of the above cost us
about $50 when we made hoops, and I still have a bunch of the cement left... Good luck!!
4.24 Who is Lester?
Lester "Boom Boom" Babbitt is one the inspirational characters around the SCI world. He
has been friends with the members of SCI since their beginnings in Telluride. He is also
the inspiration to the song "Lester Had A Coconut". Lester is a poet as well, and has
been known to read a poem at the beginning of some shows or sets he attends... Look for
Lester out on the road, and be sure to say hi!
4.25 How did Kyle join the band?
Kyle was playing keyboards in a Boulder based band called Durt in the mid 90's. He
first sat in with String Cheese Incident at the Fox Theater in April of 1996. For the
next several months he played with String Cheese intermittently, including historical
Incidents in Telluride at the One World Cafe 4-14-96, and again at one of the band's
biggest shows to that date; Main Stage at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, 6-20-96,
where the cheese blew away 4000 festivarians. Kyle ventured out on a test tour with
SCI in September covering the west coast from San Francisco to Montana. Throughout the
tour the band referred to this time as their courtship of Kyle, and that they hoped he
would join the band. On that tour the caliber of music rose to a level that was even
surprising the band. The addition of Kyle led to Kang and Billy stretching out and
stepping up their play as Kyle began to really know the songs and get comfortable with
where he fit in the music. After the September tour Kyle officially agreed to join the
SCI and they went on a tour of the East Coast. By spring tour in Colorado incredible
shows at the Fox Theater in Boulder, and the Sheridan Opera House in Telluride, made it
obvious the band had taken the music to a whole new dimension.
4.26 Details about Mike Kang's mandolin setup.
These are some random posts pulled out of the IncidentaList. This is pure speculation by
some knowledgeable fans, and should be taken as such.
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 1999 23:12:30 -0800
From: frenchprof
Don't know if this has been posted yet, cause I have a lot of catching up to do on my list
reading, but I got the brief opportunity to ask Michael about his new instrument, and I
asked him if it was a mandola. He said it's an Octave Mandolin, or Bizuki(sp?). I also
told him I noticed he had it capo'ed up a lot. He replied with a small chuckle that he
doesn't really know how to play the bizuki yet (yeah, right!) so he generally keeps it
capo'ed up to a mandolin.
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 1999 18:14:19 EST
From: GrtphlCO@AOL.COM
on the mandolin topic, I happen to know that his acoustic is called a red diamond, its
custom made by a guy in NC, I have the name somewhere, when I find it, I'll give it to
whomever needs it if they email me. I also know that he uses a seymor duncan pickup
in the main mando, he has an ernie ball volume pedal, mesa boogie accellerator pedal, I
believe a digitech footboard, and a couple other pedals, I have those written down
somewhere as well, please email me if yoiu need it. Keep oncheesin on, Noah Pawliger.
Date: Sat, 27 Mar 1999 00:37:22 +0000
From: mikey
I didn't know he used an accellerator, I thought those were for the MesaBoogie Revolvers
(like a leslie). I could have sworn I saw *at least* two of the Ibanez Tube Screamers
(green TS-9's) in his rack, but I could be mistaken. Still not sure about the
multi-effect unit in the rack. Anyone get a good look at this recently?(I beleive it
used to be an Alesis box of some kind of another.)
About his electric mandolins: He's played a few over the years. Itused to be a Berenger
and Taproot 5-string mandos. He's recently started playing a semi-hollow body 5-string
mandola(?), but I really don't know anything about that one. There's some great resource
pages on electic mandolins -http://little.fishnet.net/~mrmando/ElecMandos/ - and you can
look for Mike Kang under the players section for more infomation. I would love to see an
article/interview with Mike talking about the equipment he uses, but maybe it's a secret
- *shhhhh* mikey - mailto:fiddler420@usa.net
4.27 Defeating MIME when emailing the IncidentaList.
I'm doing this on Microsoft Outlook on an NT4 server, but it should work in any
environment(I think).
1. Take the Incidentalist address and add it to your personal address book.
2. A properties box will appear with four tabs at the top.
3. Select the SMTP-General Tab.
4. Choose the Send Options button in the bottom right hand corner of that Tab.
5. Check the box that says I want to specify the format for messages to this
recipient.
6. Choose Plain Text/UUencode.
7. Choose the OK button and you should be good to go.
Thanks to Barry Welch and Trey Joyner for their efforts to slay the MIME dragon.
4.28 String Cheese Incident acronym's dictionary.
Songs played by String Cheese Incident that are frequently abbreviated as:
BBB - Blackberry Blossom
CAYA - Come As You Are
LFB - Lonesome Fiddle Blues
MLT - My Latin Tune
OTR - On The Road
ROTR - Rhythm Of The Road
RTW - Round The Wheel
TWLWMYD - That's What Love Will Make You Do
Other SCI related acronym's:
FOC - Friend Of Cheese
SCI - String Cheese Incident... (in case you missed that)... <8v)
4.29 "Kang is my co-pilot" stickers on the Simpson's.
A creative FOC made the "Kang is my co-pilot" stickers, and one ended up in a Simpson's
epsisode.
4.30 What is the "Black Furry Possum", and why do all my tapes say Blackberry Blossom?
Blackberry Blossom is a traditional bluegrass song that SCI does an instrumental version
of, and in the middle they always go into a free-form improvisational jam that's completely
different every time, before coming back out into the Blossom melody again to finish the
song/suite. The free-form jam in the middle is jokingly referred to by the band members
as a quest to find the "mythical creature", the "Black Furry Possum" (possibly a reference
to a couple of Phish songs titled "Big Black Furry Creatures from Mars", and "Possum", but
this may also be coincidence).
Thanks to Rob Winkler for the explanation.
=================================================================================================
5.0 Questions about recording String Cheese Incidents.
5.1 Will String Cheese Incident allow me to audio tape their live shows?
Yes, but depending on the venue, there may be restrictions on where you can tape and how
many microphone stands are allowed to be put up by tapers. There will be no SOUNDBOARD
feed given. The band is offering a pathchbay for any tapers, set up through the
generosity of Marc Nutter at Sonic Sense, that gives an audience feed that the band will
always be able to run and offer to tapers. Please see section 5.9 for specific
information provided by Marc regarding the equipment involved with the patchbay. Tapers
who wish to use their own taping rigs should get to the show early and speak with Steve
Beatty to find out where the taping section will be on that particular night. Tapers will
not be allowed to put microphone stands just anywhere. Please be patient as SCI grows
into playing venues where a taping section can be laid out simply and consistently on a
nightly basis in the best possible spot available.
The String Cheese Incident strongly supports and encourages taping and trading of live
Cheese.
5.2 What about video taping?
Video Taping Policy for The String Cheese Incident
In order to video tape a String Cheese Incident show we ask that you adhere to the
following guidelines:
1. All requests must be emailed or faxed to Jeremy Stein at least one week prior to the
Incident.
email : stein@madisonhouseinc.com
Fax : (303) 544-5879
2. Requests must include all of the following information:
1) Type of camera(s) you are using.
2) Information regarding your experience in this field.
3) Your intentions for use - such as television shows, news, band archive, etc.
4) All of your pertinent contact information.
5) Format that you will be sending us as a copy of your work (Hi 8, VHS, etc).
5.3 How can someone without any live tapes get some?
The best way to get some live tapes is to go to a String Cheese Incident show. Bring
two 90 minute Maxell XLII blank tapes in a self addressed bubble padded mailer. Purchase
the correct amount of postage and put it on or in the mailer. The idea is for the taper
to simply make your tapes and be able to drop them in the mail with no hassles. During
the set break, or before or after the show, go and find the tapers (usually around the
soundboard, or identifiable by their microphone stands) and ask them if they'd be willing
to spin you a copy of the show when they get a chance. Use your judgement with who you
ask and remember be gracious, without their help we would not have all of these great
tapes to listen to. Most tapers confronted with someone so prepared (with blanks and
postage, etc) will not turn you down.
Or watch the IncidentaList for the abundant tape offers made by generous list members.
5.4 What are some particularly good shows to get?
There are so many incredible shows from 1997 & 1998 floating about; here's just a few:
3-20-97 Telluride, CO. Sheridan Opera House
5-25-97 Felton, CA. Shadey Grove
6-20-97 Telluride, CO. Quonset Hut
6-21-97 Telluride, CO. Quonset Hut
7-4-97 Bear Valley, CA. High Sierra Music Festival (3 shows)
8-9-97 Alta, WY. Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival (many guests)
12-30-97 Santa Cruz, CA. Palookaville
2-24-98 Telluride, CO. Sheridan Opera House (3 sets)
3-13-98 San Francisco, CA. Fillmore Auditorium
3-14-98 San Francisco, CA. Fillmore Auditorium
6-19-98 Telluride, CO. Quonset Hut
6-20-98 Telluride, CO. Quonset Hut
7-4-98 Quincy, CA. HSMF - Mainstage & Big Top
9-26-98 Boulder, CO. Boulder Theater (with Peter Rowan & other guests)
12-12 & 13-98 Akumal, Mexico
3/18-20/99 San Francisco, CA. Fillmore Auditorium
These are all legendary Incidents.
5.5 Can you take pictures at an Incident?
Photography Policy for The String Cheese Incident
The String Cheese Incident welcomes anyone to photograph to live shows. It is very
important to understand that flash photography is prohibited. We are sure that you
understand how distracting this can be to the band. Suggestion: For many shows you will
need to use film with speeds rated at at least 800 (or higher). Also keep in mind that
holding cameras up in the air near the stage can be distracting to the crowd.
Some venues have a photographers pit in front of the stage. Usually this is designed to
create space between the crowd and the stage, as well as a space for press photographers.
In order to enter this area, or any area directly surrounding the stage, you must obtain a
photography pass. Requests should follow the guidelines as presented in the video taping
policy.
Finally, please understand that our policy may not be the same policy as some of the
festivals that we play. In such cases you must contact the festival in question regarding
their policy.
5.6 String Cheese Incident's view on CDr and taping mediums.
This is a post from Jon O'Leary, SCI's sound engineer:
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 16:58:31 -0000
Reply-To: jonomix@frii.com
Sender: The IncidentaList
Subject: Re: VHS Branches?Tapers PLEASE read!
OK, Let's get this good news out there for all the tapers and traders.
POLICY for TAPING, RECORDING or TRADING SHOWS
String Cheese Incident does not care what form of Medium you want to store your music on.
It's your choice!This means you can use; CDR, DAT, VHS, ANALOG, HARD DRIVE, BETA1/4 INCH,
BRAIN CELLS, WHATEVER!!!
Our policy is that you should not SELL our music!!!!
Trading music is great, we love it!!
SELLING what the artists have spent their lives trying to create is immoral, as well as
illegal. Please report any CDs that are bootlegged FOR SALE to Madison House
303-544-9900. That's all we ask. JonO.
5.7 Tips on CDr recording by our guru Colin Gibbons.
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1999 16:36:13 -0800
Sender: The IncidentaList -
From: Colin Gibbons
Subject: CDR and Win95 (NSCI)Content
Hey there FOC,
I wanted to get this out as I know quite a few people have computer burners and have been
struggling with them. I've been burning cdr's for a couple years and have set up several
systems w/ burners, and have been tech support for many of you on the list... in doing so
I've learned a lot of things that will hopefully help a lot of you out. Here is a great
web site that has just about all the tweaks that I can think of on one page, and can be
found bypoint yer browser here-> http://www.celestialaudio.com/win95_info.htm
If you don't have web access email me and I'll send you the text. Another great resource
is the CDR FAQ located at-> http://www.fadden.com/cdrfaq/
Regards,
Colin
5.8 What you can do to help stop bootlegg music.
First and foremost what you can do is not purchase bootleg music. Buying music from
unauthorized sources hurts the musicians you love. Contact ASCAP & BMI to report record
stores that sell bootlegs.
5.9 Information regarding the Patchbay being used by SCI.
These two posts to the IncidentaList by Marc Nutter of Sonic Sense, who has VERY
generously donated the patchbay equipment, explains how this set up works and what is
involved.
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 08:07:55 -0700
Reply-To: Marc Nutter
Sender: The IncidentaList
Subject: Anyone patch from the band mics?
Hi All,
The mics typically being run at front of house are B&K 4011's with Audio Magic cables
through a Lunatec V2 pre-amp and Graham-Patten ADC-20 a/d converter. >From there, we are
using a Graham-Patten DA-14 distribution amplifier ("patchbay") for digital output to
the DAT decks.
Here's hoping everyone is enjoying this system.
Marc Nutter
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 08:30:01 -0700
Sender: The IncidentaList
From: Marc Nutter
Subject: Feedback about mics being used for the audience recording rig.
While I'm not sure which capsules Steve used at the BC show, the correct model number for
the Audix condenser mics is SCX-1 with either a "c" denoting cardioid or an "hc"denoting
hyper-cardioid. In addition to these, we have the B&K 4011's and Earthworks SR77's that
will be used at Front of House as Steve and JonO see fit. In some cases, they may opt to
put some of these on instruments/amps on stage and use the others at FOH.
It is the FOH mics that are run through the Lunatec V2 and Graham-Patten ADC-20 and out
to the splitter ("patchbay"). As I have all of these mics out there, I am very interested
in feedback, especially concerning the Earthworks and Audix. I already know how much I
love the B&K's, but feedback on these is also appreciated. I scan each digest daily but
occasionally miss details.
**If you are posting about the sound quality of the tapes, I would greatly a personal
email to sncsns@henge.com so I am sure to read it and can assure that we are providing
what everyone is liking best.**
Marc
Marc Nutter
Sonic Sense
P.O. Box 61141
Denver, CO
80206
(303) 698-1296
http://www.henge.com/~sncsns
=================================================================================================
6.0 SCI History
6.1 The incident at Shady Grove 5-25-97.
Date: Fri, 5 Dec 1997 19:38:18 -0700
Reply-To: John Greer
Sender: The IncidentaList
Subject: shady grove...
hey now friends,
shady grove was a little nestled ridge-top grove of oak and manzanita that ended the
spring tour nicely in the santa cruz hill country outside of a Ben Lomond. thanks to our
gracious hosts the scene was as kind a tour-ender as anyone could ask for....
the band was as laid-back as i've seen, outside of a jam at bradley's or something.
anyway, as the tape surely tells, musically the band had all kinds of space in the flow..
you know. what the tape won't tell is just how sweet the scene actually was. something
about that sunny, cali family style party.
so, up walks this hairy dude named Diego or Dante or something. thats all i know about
that. i remember that we hadn't tied down one of the speaker stacks and it fell over in
the direction of Kang's instrument stand!! however, nothing was crushed and the Incident
continued... Diego is the mystery guest, but what a killer Land's End!!!! peace, greer
6.2 The origins of the String Cheese Incident.
I have included two different posts to the IncidentaList. One from John Distefano, who
is a friend of the band's and was living in Crested Butte when SCI formed. That focuses
on how the members of the band came together to become the String Cheese Incident. The
other is from SCI's first manager, and forever friend, John Greer. That email discusses
John's involvement as the band grew out of its Crested Butte roots and went forth into
the world.
John Distefano; 4/7/98
Maybe I can shed some light on how SCI got its start.
The Cheese formed in Crested Butte, CO., a small ski town in the Colorado Rockies that
is filled with cool mountain folk and a hot bed of musically inclined artists, famous
extreme skiers, and freaks like us seeking an alternative lifestyle.
As I witnessed it first hand (I was Trav and Billy Nershi's next door neighbor at the
time), here is my version of how String Cheese came together. The history goes something
like this....
In the early 90's, there was a local bluegrass band in Crested Butte by the name of the
Whiskey Crate Warriors that played local venue's (i.e.: Forest Queen Hotel). This band
consisted of various local bluegrass musicians by the names of Ted Bosler
(washboard/mandolin), Alisa Carrol (Acoustic Guitar), Paul Lee (Fiddle), Steve Willis
(banjo), and Keith Moseley (current bassist for SCI), plus various local sit-in's from
time to time (Dave Dupree-harmonica), some of whom became regulars, like Mike Travis
(current SCI percussionist).
As ski towns are notoriously transient communities, a few of the Whiskey Crate Warriors
were leaving town for mud-season or for good, namely Alisa Carrol and Paul Lee, the
Warriors guitar and fiddle player, respectfully.
At the same time, coincidentally, more bluegrass-oriented musicians were moving into
town, namely Michael Kang (current SCI fiddle and mandolin player) and Billy Nershi
(current SCI Acoustic Lead Guitarist), perfect for filling the shoes of those that had
just left the band. So, there you have it....the beginnings of SCI that consisting of
Kang, Nershi, Keith, and Trav.
Date: Thu, 30 Oct 1997 21:57:00 -0700
Reply-To: John Greer
Sender: The IncidentaList
Subject: cheese actually grows......
dear friends,
yesterday was my first post to the chat group and i was somewhat rushed to get out the
door. these fall days in crested butte are very special indeed....
since some tales seem to be floating around out there concerning how each of us became
initially involved w/ the string cheese incident, i thought this might serve as my
introduction. back in '93 there was a little band called the Blue String Quartet which
played regularly at the Forest Queen in Crested Butte. this was a very big snow year, and
the mood in town was full-tilt festive. nothing give skiers a good jag like two months of
continuous snowfall.
I first met billy nershi skiing a peak called Belleview. we were up there w/ a bunch of
friends skiing a fine fresh foot of fluff. classic bluebird day... Kang and I started
skiing together that year too. the band was starting to get it going and became the blue
string band and then the blue string cheese band, and, well, each night began to resemble
a distinct incident.....
during this time the boys were playing between t'ride and CB, as well as Lake City and
Moab. i became their first roadie in Lake City after riding my bicycle 85 miles to their
gig. i think that got their curiosity going. who is this freak? i hope this isn't
boring. i suppose you can just wipe it out if not interested...
to jump back in time: i have been a freak ever since i could. i love to tap that primal
place in my heart which inspires dance. the grateful dead did it for me on many occasions
over the hundred and forty-plus shows i participated in over the years, until ~'90.
needless to say i was a big Brent Mydland fan....what really made it all worthwhile was
the community that was created by all of the creative people attracted to the dead. so
many friends, so many good times....
anyway, the cheese boys always played like such inspired, fun-loving groovers that it
rocked our little forest queen to the foundation. as in t'ride, we grooved really hard
right along w/ the band. they've always provided that variety and energy that just speaks
to my soul. i love them all as brothers and they are MY FAVORITE BAND!!
in '94 the band began touring more extensively in Colorado and began gaining some
attention. you know much of the story from here forward, as we planned the first
California tour. i remember vividly my first conversations with Jeannie at the Sweetwater
in Mill Valley about this funny little band from the hills of Colorado! finally convinced
her to give the boyz a try, and we were off. that first tape was a nice little
representation of the breadth and width of the band's sound at that time. it sure has
come a long way....we used to try and cruise to different ski areas in the Rockies and
work the free lift ticket angle. i remember sleeping on the floor of a pizza joint/bar
in Tahoe after the gig, and waking up three hours later to the cleaning guy blasting
"Heart of Glass" by Blondie really loud even though we were all sprawled across the floor
in plain sight. "Bradley, shut that fucking dog up!" The tales go on from the early
days, days when nobody knew who the band was outside of a corner of the Rockies! what a
couple of years!!! it is with great joy that i have participated in the growth of the
string cheese phenomenon. each Incident is now charged with anticipation and energy and
i know that the boyz love it.
i want to thank everyone out there for participating in this fun, creative sharing of
music and art. i've loved touring with the band and meeting people all over the country
who love the good sounds of the string cheese incident! looking forward to meeting many
more kind folks out there, just yearning to help create Incidents of high energy and
spirituality. peace goes out to all, johng
6.3 Information about the song, "Sand Dollar".
This was posted to the IncidentaList and I thought it pertenant.
Thanks Doug.
Date: Fri, 15 Oct 1999 08:24:17 -0700
Sender: The IncidentaList
From: douglas canady
Subject: Sand Dollar
At the 10-8-99 St. Louis show, Billy told an interesting story about coming up with the
title for this song that I will try and remember. The band was on tour in the Pacific
Northwest (3/98) and Billy and Travis were fooling around with putting a little musical
idea of Billy's to a 5/4 beat which is a different time signature from the norm. They
then went for a hike on the Olympic Peninsula thru the rain forests and down on to the
beach and found a sand dollar lying on the beach. Billy looked at it and saw the 5 points
on it and related that to the time signature for the new tune and suddenly decided to name
the new song "Sand Dollar". It's a perfect title as the song has always conjured up
images of the desert in my mind and feels like theme music for some old western movie.
I might add that the version played in St. Louis wasthe best I've ever heard.
Doug
=================================================================================================
7.0 Future plans for the FAQ:
A more developed band history with stories of legendary Incidents.
Got ideas? Let me know.
=================================================================================================
Author's Note:
The sci-faq.txt was created by Edmund Edwards. All opinions and facts stated within are accurate
to the best of my knowledge. This document was created for use as a reference for String Cheese
Incident fans, and should not be used for any commercial use (karma clause). This document does
not represent the opinions and beliefs of any member or employee of the String Cheese Incident or
Madison House Inc. Neither organization may be held responsible or accountable for any
information contained within.
Edmund Edwards
February 15, 1998
=================================================================================================