It was a bittersweet performance as Cravin Melon gave a final farewell concert Friday night at Marrz nightclub located in downtown Wilmington. After eight years of hits, the band has decided to break up. Cravin Melon has been performing at various venues across this nation from California to New York. Their hits have been broadcast on MTV and radio stations worldwide. However, the band members have now decided that it’s time to call it quits.

My initial intentions were to go and see Cravin Melon perform for the final time. The first performance that I witnessed by Cravin Melon was at the “Lawn Party” at N.C.State back in 1997, where the band truly put on a fantastic gig. At this show, however, I was star struck by the opening act Moe Black. When I arrived, the band was about halfway through their show. They covered songs from the RollingStones to Sting’s “King of Pain.” They also played several songs off their new self-titled album, which is due out in April. I learned that they are originally from Charlotte but relocated to Wilmington. Their musical influences range from Dave Matthews Band to jazz great Herbie Hancock. Moe Black displayed a remarkable talent for live performing. They plan to tour venues in Atlanta and Charlotte in the future, in hopes of landing a label deal. I can’t wait to see them again.

I also talked to Cravin Melon and found all the band members very open-minded and willing to let their story to be heard. Jimbo, the lead guitarist, was quite a character.

“It’s time to draw this all to a conclusion,” Jimbo said. “Every band decides before long that it’s time to close, so now it’s time for Cravin Melon to say that’s it.”

Personally, I don’t understand why they are breaking up. Their songs still play on the radio, and, frankly, I think they still have what it takes to be one of the most renowned bands that this nation has ever seen. Jimbo noted that all the band members were great friends and still had plans to write and record songs together. However, there will be no more Cravin Melon.

The keyboardist, Chad, feels a little differently about the break-up of the band. Chad, who is from Salisbury, NC, has only been playing with the group for about a year. He sarcastically implied that he was being shafted because he had just joined the group. However, he mentioned that he loved playing venues and recording new music with the band and could always reflect on all the memories that he shared with the band.

After wishing them the best of luck in the future, I left the backstage area and witnessed one of the greatest live performances that I have been fortunate enough to see. They really got the audience involved in the set while covering several tunes from the Steve Miller Band to Bob Marley. The fans screamed feverously as they played several of their hits such as “Sweet Tea” and “The Great Procrastinator.” They really demonstrated that they truly belong with an eminent group of great performers.

The lead singer Doug and bassist Rob accepted my compliments on the performance with a handshake and agreed that a break-up was in the best interests of all the band members. Nevertheless, it still baffles me as to why a great band can call it off after only eight years. Maybe there was a little symbolism in the performances Friday night. Cravin Melon is quitting, but the torch is now passed on to Moe Black. Do you think they can carry it? I think so.