Review: String Cheese Incident at Salvage Station — Night 2
Beginning my second night with String Cheese Incident at Salvage Station, I was wondering what might be different after Thursday’s show. From the get-go, I was pleasantly surprised — the crowd was bigger and much more energetic, the band was jamming harder, and those two sides fed off of each other. There were also more costumes, more children with hearing protection, and more CHEESE stickers on everything, ranging from babies to food truck menus to trees.
While I was working, I also tried to join in on the vibe of the event, and the music sucked me in right away. Despite carrying two cameras, I was dancing and jamming from one side of the stage to another. My fellow fans were eager to show off the creative clothes they had donned, ranging from miniature cheese hats to rainbow sequined shawls, and Rob Zombie shirts to glow-stick masks. It also makes me proud to be asked to take someone’s picture, then watch as they grab the person they’re with and hold them close, both enjoying a night to remember.
Another thing that warmed my heart was the camaraderie evident throughout the show. Whether waiting in line at a food truck or the restroom, people I had only just met were eager to strike up a conversation, offer advice, or lend a helping hand. It was an overtly welcoming community that made me feel at home.
I would not have considered myself a fan of SCI prior to this three night run, but the vibe, music and community welcomed me with open arms. While half a world away there was a new King being crowned, this group was not stuck in the past, but firmly looking to the future — even making a point to acknowledge the diverse crowd.
Jam bands have a reputation for “noodling” all night long, but SCI consistently keeps the melody moving via small nods or signals the musicians give each other to transfer the lead from one player to another. The two drummers made sure that there was never a pause in the danceable beat, while the front line seamlessly traded the spotlight, allowing each member’s voice to shine.
Frontman Michael Kang takes center stage while constantly changing instruments. One minute, he’s playing an electric mandolin — which accents the deep bass drive with twangy accents — and the next, he’s moved to violin, bringing in elements of bluegrass. Not to be pigeonholed, he also knows his way around a guitar.
Kyle Hollingsworth sits on the side, surrounded by numerous keyboards. He moves from one to the next to keep the melody changing, adding plinky pianos and warbling organs as appropriate. As a pianist in a past lifetime, I love to hear the keys punch through straight to my soul — and I’m pretty sure I even saw him do a little turntable scratching.
Billy Nershi mostly plays an acoustic guitar, which helps to keep the music folksy and accessible. With his curly white hair framing his face, he constantly takes on a new look everytime the psychedelic light show touches him.
Keith Moseley plays bass all night long, and I don't remember seeing him change the four-string he played all evening. He provides the foundation of the groove that can be felt in your chest, especially when right up against the stage.
Jason Hann is the newest member of the band, having joined way back in 2006, and provides additional percussion ranging from bongoes to electronic drum pads. He’s also playing a late night show May 6 after SCI at the Asheville Music Hall with his older project — EOTO.
Michael Travis is the main drummer and sits behind a massive kit with many varieties of drums, rototoms, and cymbals. Since he’s perched above the rest of the band, he takes on a sentinel vibe while keeping time and laying down danceable beats.
You could be excused if you don't know the names of the band members, but each one plays a different role that’s felt in the music. Each musician seamlessly moves into the foreground and then fades into the back as another takes over.
What began as an assignment to cover a band I vaguely knew of has now turned me into an avid fan, dancing until my legs were weak and returning the next day to do it all over again. I’m looking forward to the trilogy conclusion this evening — for which tickets are still available — and eagerly await the next time SCI plays Asheville.
(Photos by Arlo Abrams)
