To most people, a band is a band. They tour, do interviews and make music, leaving the business to the businesspeople. However, there are plenty of notable exceptions to this thinking, and The String Cheese Incident is one of them.
Not only one of the most popular ensembles on the – dare I say – jam band scene, The String Cheese Incident is a collective that is well-known for being more DIY than your average punk band. They not only run their own record label, but also oversee their ticketing, merchandising and special events in-house. As bassist Keith Moseley noted to me within our Q&A, it is not just a coincidence that The Grateful Dead operated in a similar fashion.
The String Cheese Incident return to the area with two almost-sold-out shows at the Theater at Madison Square Garden on October 23rd and 24th. The Colorado-based six-piece is not touring in support of a new album at this time, but does have their three-disc Rhythm of the Road: Volume 2, Live In Las Vegas release to show for. A proper studio album is currently in the works, however, with Talking Heads guitarist Jerry Harrison at the helm.
As per a downtown Manhattan tie-in with The String Cheese Incident, I was able to determine that the band’s first two proper New York City shows happened well below 14th Street. Kudos to Keith and crew for being able to playing such big venues over 20 years since their formation.
Photo C. Taylor Crothers
What do you wish more people knew about The String Cheese Incident?
Keith Moseley: The name may be funny, but the music is seriously good stuff!
For someone who hasn’t seen The String Cheese Incident live before, how would you describe one of your live shows?
K: Every incident is a musical exploration with a different setlist, different covers, and different musical and visual improvisation. It is a chance for fans to relax and rock out in a very cool and accepting environment.
You have two shows coming up at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Have you ever seen a show there before?
K: No, but we played the Theater at the Garden on Halloween many years ago.
What do you remember about your first-ever gig in New York City?
K: I think we played a room called the Lion’s Den. There were a couple of other bands on the bill and not much of a crowd for us. Kristin, my wife, was on the road selling merchandise and she was sick that night so we locked her on our bus while we played. The first proper gig we had in NYC was at the Wetlands.
What is it that keeps the band headquartered in Colorado? Is there something that your part of Colorado offers that we may not have in New York?
K: The band started in a little Colorado ski town called Crested Butte. We are all still very into the outdoors and enjoy the skiing, hiking, biking, camping and other outdoor activities that are available here.
Do you like the term “jam band?” Or do you feel your group has outgrown it?
K: We are so much more than a “jam band.” I feel like we are a really good improvisational rock band that has also written some great four-minute songs!
The String Cheese Incident took nine years between One Step Closer and A Song In My Head. Do you think that studio albums are still needed in order for a band to tour?
K: Well, we have certainly toured in the past without a new album to support, but recently we have entered a very prolific period for the band. We have been busy this fall recording new material and hope to have some new music out by the end of the year.
What was it about the Las Vegas show that you made you decide to release it? Was there a particular moment of the show that was a highlight for you?
K: The show that we released was one of the all-time fan favorites, as chosen by the tapers. Much like Cornell ‘77 was a fan favorite for the Dead, this show has become a favorite for our fans.
Are there any new releases slotted for SCI Fidelity Records at the moment?
K: We have been busy in our new studio / rehearsal space in Boulder in September working on new songs with producer Jerry Harrison again at the controls. At this point, I am not sure if it will yield a new album right away, or if we might trickle out the tunes as singles as they become finished.
Besides your label, The String Cheese Incident still oversees Baseline Ticketing and Baseline Gear. Was there a band or artist that especially inspired your group to be so entrepreneurial?
K: The Grateful Dead was an early inspiration for us in that they sold their own tickets and generally seemed to carve their own path. Early in our career we teamed up with Madison House, who was also just getting started, and together we forged a plan to control our own destiny by staying independent. That eventually led to starting our own record label as well as merchandise and ticketing companies.
When you’re not busy with The String Cheese Incident, how do you like to spend your time?
K: I have been helping with my daughter’s soccer and basketball teams, and I love to mountain bike. We have a great live music scene here in Colorado and we like to get out and enjoy some of that as well.
Finally, Keith, any last words for the kids?
K: Have fun and make good choices!
-by Darren Paltrowitz
