Returning to the Northeast for the first time in almost three years, when the String Cheese Incident announced that they were playing a two-night run at Port Chester’s The Capitol Theatre, you had to know that these shows were going to be special. Traveling on the heels of Song In My Head, their first studio album in nine years, a successful Hulaween experience down at Spirit of The Suwannee Park in Live Oak, FL, and seemingly some of the best energy amongst members of the band in recent history, as well as several well-received shows leading up to The Cap performances, everything just added up. These were going to be shows that should not be missed. Let’s get right into it, shall we?

Things got started early with a solid first set on Night 1, featuring a funked-out “Flying North East Jam,” bookended by “Birdland.” “Somtimes a River” is one of those tunes that you could throw into any set as a welcome addition, while “Indian Creek” brought out some solid pickin’ from Billy Nershi. Cheese opened things up from the first note of the set, and let it flow until the end of a Kyle-led “Close Your Eyes.”

As if we didn’t already know that The Cap was “the Place,” the boys go and open up the second set of Night 1 with “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” that absolutely lit people up. “Valley of the Jig” set the dance floor on fire, as we got our much needed taste of that dirty, trancey Cheese that is simply delectable. And then what is perhaps the ‘Cheesiest’ song of all time brought out a “Smile” from ear to ear on everyone’s face. “Joyful Sound” led into the bust-out of the night, which you had to know was coming, considering the history of the venue….”Shakedown Street.” SCI knows their history, and certainly know their audience, as “Shakedown” brought a tasteful touch to the evening’s festivities. The nightcap of “Restless Wind” left us yearning for more, with many of us already anticipating Night 2.

Fast-forward almost 24 hours, we are back at The Cap, libations in hand (many of us several deep at this point), and prepared for yet another evening with our close friends Billy Nershi, Michael Kang, Kyle Hollingsworth, Keith Moseley, Michael Travis, and Jason Hann. A “Johnny Cash” opener? As Andy Kaupfman‘s character Latka (yes, click on the link) used to say, ‘Thank You Very Much!’ Now, not to say the set wasn’t good, because it was, but perhaps ever-so-slightly disjointed might be the word. Whereas the first set of Night 1 was flawless from beginning to end, Night 2 Set 1 had more moments than anything else. Things really came back together during the super-funky “Climb,” and by the time Todd Stoops from Kung Fu came out to show us his chops on a set-closing “Rosie,” everything was back in its right place, and looking like a monster Set 2 had been ordered for a special delivery.

“Texas,” aaahhh yes….good ol’ “Texas.” The story of getting caught in a ‘small-town Texas town’ with a ‘cabinet full of mushrooms and a cooler full of beer,’ which, to be honest, sounds like an absolute nightmare….but makes for a great story and song. The Nershi-penned tune warmed the crowd back up after setbreak. “Pack It Up” showcased Kyle’s skills on the keys, and had you feeling like you were walking down a city street in the 70’s to the soundtrack of Shaft. I don’t know why, but when Keith sings, I love it. “Can’t Stop Now” was a good ol’ time, but as the song ended and Michael Kang went over to his violin, it was as if you knew what was coming next. As the song hadn’t been played in several shows, you just had to know that The Cap was getting a “Rivertrance” one of the two nights. Oh, and we got it, alright. Things got friggin’ weird, as everyone decided to fly their freak flag during the song that has become synonymous with Cheese; and would you expect anything else? The synergy amongst everyone in the room was palpable, and turned into one sexy-as-hell dance party. “Just One Story” ended the set on a high-note (as if we weren’t high enough already).

Giving another nod to the history of The Cap, the band paid homage to the Jerry Garcia Band by playing “Tore Up Over You.” If Cheese ended things there, nobody would have argued, but then they go all-out on us and play a beautiful rendition of Paul Simon‘s “Under African Skies” into “Whiskey Before Breakfast” a tune made famous by Norman Blake. It was a fitting end to a successful two-night stint at what I consider the best venue in the Northeast, reminding all of us just what SCI is all about at their core – that beautiful mountain music called bluegrass. Let’s hope that we don’t have to wait another three years to get them back – as it stands right now, we won’t.

 

– Chris Meyer

[All Photos courtesy of Scott Harris Photography] For a full gallery of pictures, CLICK HERE.

 

String Cheese Incident 11/11/14 Capitol Theatre

Set One
Search, Birdland, You’ve Got the World, Sometimes a River, Indian Creek, Song In My Head > Give Me the Love, Close Your Eyes

Set Two
This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) > It Is What It Is > Valley of the Jig, Smile, Joyful Sound > Shakedown Street > Desert Dawn

Encore
Restless Wind

[setlist courtesy of Friends of Cheese]

 

String Cheese Incident 11/12/14 Capitol Theatre

Set One
Johnny Cash > Got What He Wanted > Beautiful, Hotel Window > Climb, Big Shoes > Rosie(1)

Set Two
Texas, Pack It Up, Rhythm Of The Road > Can’t Stop Now, Piece Of Mine, Rivertrance, Just One Story

Encore
Tore Up Over You, Under African Skies > Whiskey Before Breakfast

Notes
(1) with Todd Stoops from Kung Fu

[setlist from Friends Of Cheese]

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