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Band's last stand a fitting send-off

Loyal fans help String Cheese call it a wrap

Mark Brown, Rocky Mountain News

Published August 13, 2007 at midnight

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So is this it? Or not?

The String Cheese Incident sent mixed messages on whether Sunday night's finale would be the end of the band. One sign in the crowd at the fourth and final 2007 Red Rocks show was Zen-like: "Don't cry because it's over - smile."

But in the introduction to the show, the announcer said, "When we get together again, we are going to be a force to be reckoned with."

That's for the future. This was now. At 7:43 p.m. SCI launched into a concert that had everyone on their feet with smiles instead of frowns, and they played a breezy, eclectic set that included old standards like Panama Red and covers such as the Beatles' I've Just Seen a Face. The band couldn't have asked for a better Red Rocks night, with a breeze strong enough to quell the day's heat but not enough to ruin the sound.

Fan reviews of the four-night stand were mixed, with some feeling Thursday's opener lacked a bit of energy and high marks for Friday and Saturday's sets, which included songs such as Bob Dylan's Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues and Michael Jackson's Don't Stop Till You Get Enough.

"It's all over the place. Their jams are just incredible," said Dave Colnic, of Turlock, Calif., one of many out-of-town fans who wanted to be part of SCI history.

The visuals were sheer fun, from the giant inflatable octopus and the jellyfish kites the band sent into the crowd to the eclectic costumes fans came up with on their own.

"We dubbed tonight 'White Night' being it's the last show," said Mara Lee, a Boulder costume designer dressed as an angel in white who hit all four shows. "There are going to be a lot of tears. It's just sad. We're a family. You meet so many friends around the country."

Ben Karle and his girlfriend Nicole Baker came from Kalamazoo, Mich., to be part of the final four. She was dressed in a Dance Police cop get-up, he in a shimmering shirt, pants and hat that might have gotten the crap kicked out of him anywhere but at an SCI show.

"It's the place to be the freak you want to be and express the you that you really want and be accepted for the freak you want to be," he said.

Meanwhile, Bill Nershi was playing frantic acoustic guitar runs on Two Dollar Bill, and the crowd was in heaven.

As for fans facing the prospect of a final SCI show, the denial was as palpable as that of some fans who insist there will someday be a Sopranos movie.

"It's a hiatus! It's not the end, just a hiatus, just a break!" one fan insisted.

Either way, a very nice night.