Thursday, July 22, 2010

Way Back Home

What you need to know:

With all the great music that comes from Colorado one band stands above the rest.String Cheese Incident. They will be playing a three night sold out run at Red Rocks this weekend the 23rd-25th of July. For those who are unfamiliar with the band it consists of Bill Nershi on guitar, Michael Kang on mandolin (electric and acoustic) and guitar, Keith Moseley on bass, Kyle Hollingsworth on piano, organ, and accordion, Michael Travis on drums, and Jason Hann on percussion. Their music has a lot of scope ranging from bluegrass to rock to reggae to electronica. They began as a folk/bluegrass/rock band but have constantly been evolving at the dismay of some members (cough, Billy!). Because of this the band finished their last tour at Red Rocks in August of 2007. The band got back together to play the Rothbury Music Festival July 3rd 2009. This was my first live cheese show and I was lucky enough to be on the stage for the entire first set before being asked to leave for dancing too much at the start of the second set. What am I supposed to do? Pretend I’m at a DMB concert and do the white guy sway and head nod? Like that’s even an option with the jamming puncturing my ears. It actually worked out for the best though because during their second set String Cheese provided one of the most visually stimulating and participatory shows I’ve ever been to. Just to give you an idea here is my favorite song and possibly the best moment of my life:


I’ve always been into the jam band scene but lately have needed something a little heavier. Recognizing I'm a skinny white ass, rap was ruled out. Due to my love of life and lack of tattoos death metal is out of the question. This is where electronic music comes in. I have been mildly obsessed with it since early 2008 starting with Daft Punk and Justice. Since then I’ve explored all avenues of electronic music and can respect each for what it is. One genre I really like is dub step. It originates in the grimy garages of England and is based off a two beat heavy bass rhythm. When I say heavy bass, I mean feel your body shake bass. It is the focal point one could say of the music. There are many side projects of String Cheese Incident such as the Emmitt Nershi Band, Kyle Hollingsworth Band, Zilla, and likely the most popular act of them all; EOTO. EOTO is Michael Travis and Jason Hann doing a totally improvised dub step show with Hann on the drums and Travis throwing down all kinds of lines and loops that make your body distort with every twitch he throws. It is a dance party to say the least with them throwing the bass hard at you. Take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KxhsUwLj5w.They will be doing the official String Cheese Incident pre party tonight at The Gothic. Wish I could go but with three nights of cheese ahead of me, a dismal bank account, it just isn’t in the cards. I think I might listen to their Three20South set that I saw this pass February and try to unsuccessfully relive that great night.

That’s all I’ve got for now, I really appreciate taking your time to read what I’ve got to say and hopefully I’ve sparked an interest for you. Next time I’ll let you know how SCI was as well as what should be next on your plate.

No comments:

Post a Comment