For those of you who missed the recent “Ladies Night” show featuring The Spartan Dischords, be jealous. Every minute of the show was filled with great entertainment. Whether it be the jokes and stories or serenading the crowd with ballads, the ladies in attendance at the Pasant Theatre couldn’t take their eyes off them.

A subset of the MSU Men’s Glee Club, the acapella comedy troupe The Spartan Dischords were created in 1981 and they’ve been rocking stages, dorms, bars and sororities ever since. The guys had a couple of pretty hectic weeks leading up to the show. They held auditions to fill four spots, added new songs to their repertoire and determined the concept for the show.  They practiced three times a week, performed in nine dorms and gave private mini-concerts to five sororities. No only did girls all over campus fall in love with their sweet voices, but that promotions heped them sell out their concert about a week before show time.

Let’s remember the new guys, too. Imagine their stress. “We learned a repertoire of 18 songs in a little less than four weeks. It was definitely intense. The show turned out to be amazing though. We’ve put in so much work over the last few weeks with practices and promotional gigs that it was wonderful to have that pay off with a great show,” said new Dischord member John “Zangief” Abud.

This concert was added in 2004 as a Valentine’s Day- themed CD release concert for their “Happy Hour” LP. They kept the concert in their yearly schedule, becioing their traditional “Ladies Night” offering. Nicholas “Boots” Giacona, the group's president, explains, “While we always take special care to mind out audience, it is at this concert that we really put everything into appealing to out primary demographic... uh... ladies.”

Many also know this show as their “Singles Awareness” concert. “I think this show is special because it comes at a time when everyone has Valentines Day stress on their minds. Hopefully the show serves to alleviate some of this stress and keeps people smiling. Ladies Night is our attempt to create an intimate concert setting where the audience can truly feel loved. I think we do a decent job,” says Giacona. At least the girls in the audience seem to agree. 

“I first heard about them through the dorm gigs and I was really impressed so I had to come see the show. My friends really like them and said they’re always really funny,” says sophomore Courtney Ford. Two of her friends, sophomores Ricci Ittner and Katy Bigsby, are also fans and I’m not ashamed to confess that I’ve  developed a teeny obsession for them myself.

Another reason the guys are so popular is the clear bond they have with each other. “Even better than the show is the relationship the guys " said Abud. "We aren’t just about performance, we really love spending time with each other. I didn’t realize it at the time, but when I got the call about making the group, I made 12 best friends. I’ve only been a Dischord for a month, but if I need something, I don’t call my parents- I call one of the guys.”

Honors College Academic Specialist Andrew McLemore, a former Dishcord who is now their vocal coach, announced an upcoming concert. In April, there will be a concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Spartan Dischords, bringing back all the alumni to join in the performance. So look out for them. I’m sure it’ll be another pleasurable performance.