In a world where real music is often sacrificed for flashy videos and gimmicks, it’s always nice to find a band that breaks free of any mold to find a sound all their own. And it’s even better when you find them on your own college campus. This band I speak of is Mad-Sweet Pangs, an organic rock/jam band that formed three years ago here at UD on one fateful winter day when the stars were aligned, the wind blowing due west, and the smell of cinnabuns filled the air. Ok, maybe I don’t know anything about the weather or the wind that day, but I’m told cinnabuns were definitely involved. Either way, Dustin and Chris, two lifelong friends, joined forces with Jordan, Ross and Justin and history was made, or at least the band was. But by the sound of their music, I wouldn’t be surprised if one day they do make history. Gathering influence from a multitude of artists, the Mad-Sweet Pangs create a unique sound that would be pleasing to any music lover. Their debut album, “Stumbling Through Blydepoort Canyon”, consists of songs rooted in both rock and bluegrass. The fusion of these two sounds keeps the record interesting with no two songs ever sounding the same, (a problem I feel with some mainstream artists who get stuck in one type of sound and where you don’t even know the CD player changed to another song because they all sound the same. I won’t name any names here but I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. Ok, back to the real music.). With an array of songs like “Time to Time” and “Extremes Revealed” which you can’t help but move to, all the way to “Angel By Black Water” and “D’Artagnan” which will make you want to gather your guitar and your can of beans, hop on your horse and ride out into the sunset, Mad-Sweet Pangs have definitely found the right way to take two forms of music and combine them into an innovative sound.


Besides being good musicians, the boys themselves can only be described as one big family. They eat together, they live together, and they even grow their own vegetable garden together. But with all their time devoted to music and nurturing their vegetable garden, it can be hard to find the time for relationships. So for all of you girls out there who might be interested in dating a Mad-Sweet Pangs member, be warned that music is like another woman who might win in terms of time spent with the boys. But if you are willing to take that risk, there are a few fine fellas available who might enjoy hanging out with you. (I apologize in advance to Mad-Sweet Pangs if this causes any creepy girls to start stalking you. Again, sorry.)


So how do I know all this information you ask? Well I was lucky enough to hang out with some of the guys at one of their shows and get the real story behind being in a band; drugs, sex and rock n’ roll. Well, I don’t know about the first one. And in terms of the second one, again not so much information there. But the third one, I definitely got to experience. As it happens, Mad-Sweet Pangs are also enthusiastic philanthropists and the show I went to happened to be a benefit concert. The event: Deli-Fest. The cause: To help raise money for Mama Daff, owner of one of the best restaurants on campus Daffy Deli who needs an important foot operation but unfortunately does not have the medical insurance to pay for it. So what do you do in such a situation? Get together your fellow band mates and other UD bands and participate in a benefit concert at East End Café. The result? A night of great music, great people and a great cause. With Daffy Deli t-shirts being sold for $10 and a cover charge of $10, all proceeds of the night went to helping out one of UD’s most beloved restaurant owners. What more could you ask for in a band?


So what does the future hold for Mad-Sweet Pangs? Currently they are performing in the Delaware/New York/ Pennsylvania region with hopes of branching outward to the rest of the country. My advice for all UD students, get to know this band’s music now. A) Their music is good. B) You’ll get to say you knew them before they became famous. If you’re too broke or cheap to buy a CD, definitely check out one of their shows, you won’t be disappointed.    continue >>