Mad Cow String Band

The Mad Cow String Band formed in Davis in 2003 and for the ensuing years have honed their craft, keeping their enthusiastic fans dancing to their brand of high energy string band music. Somewhere along the way, the raw, youthful enthusiasm they poured into their music morphed into a unique sound that mixes bluegrass, old-time, and country. As they huddle around an old radio-style microphone, the boys captivate crowds with their tight instrumentation and soaring harmonies during their rowdy and exciting shows. You can experience Mad Cow's infectious energy on their album, Live at the Delta of Venus, which was described in The Big Takeover as having "nice harmonies, great chops.fingers on fire.very impressive and fun." These boys are sure get you up off your seat when they roll through your town!



While its members are showcased in other bands, including The West Nile Ramblers and Lady A and the Heel Draggers, the strength of the Yolo sound causes Mad Cow to coalesce for special shows. Though they are somewhat elusive and spread their talents to other Northern California bands, the opportunity to experience these skilled and entertaining artists together as the Mad Cow String Band is worth every effort.



Click the album cover below to buy our album, Live at the Delta of Venus:



Full Review of "Live at the Delta of Venus" by The Big Takeover - Issue 60

On their debut recording Davis, CA’s Cows have the intense loose feel of a jug band, though they use a string bass rather than a jug for the bottom end. Recorded live with their fingers on fire and lots of talk about beer, the five of them trade off on banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass, vocals and are joined by Keith Cary on lap steel. They’ve got nice harmonies and great chops and on the 11-� minutes of string fury that is “Whisky Before Breakfast” they even include a banjo head drum solo. They cover bluegrass tunes by Bill Monroe, folk by Eric Andersen, country by Mickey Newbury and gypsy jazz by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli, plus some old-time traditional tunes and originals. Very impressive and fun.