Pudding may be something your mom used to pack in your lunch when you were younger, but to bass player Jarrett Nicolay, it's more of a musical adjective.

Nicolay, a member of the jam band Virginia Coalition, used "pudding" to describe the band's sound, saying their music is a mixture of many different styles and influences due to the diversity of the members.

"We all come from different backgrounds musically," he said. "When you put it all together, we hope it's appealing."

Virginia Coalition, known as "VACO" to fans and friends, will be bringing the "pudding" to town Monday for their first headlining show in State College, at Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave.

Hailing from Alexandria, VA, the band has become known for its unique sound and captivating live shows, performing songs that combine the styles of funk, rock, go-go, pop and country.

Each member writes his own part for each song, and the result is a funky, wild fusion of sounds that will appeal to fans of all genres.

VACO's last full-length album, Townburg, released in April 2000, helped them gain popularity around Washington D.C., and launched a touring rate of over 250 shows a year. One of the songs found on the album, "Luminiferous Ether," can also be found on the Bands for America Compilation, released last December following the Sept. 11 tragedy. Other bands on the album include O.A.R., String Cheese Incident, Jack Johnson and Dispatch.

With almost two years having passed since Townburg, fans are now anxiously awaiting a new album, tentatively set to be released in mid-September.

Nicolay said the band has taken its time getting back into the studio, and didn't want to be rushed into recording a new album right away.

"We wait until we're in the mood to do it, not obligated to do it," Nicolay said. "We're really just taking our time."

When not setting aside time for the studio, these Virginia boys are enjoying themselves touring the East Coast, playing anywhere from three to five shows each week and enjoying the free beer and meals that are frequently offered by the venues where they play.

"It's a very cool way to see the country, meeting all the people and playing the music," Nicolay said of touring. "We've wanted to do this since junior high."

And while the band members enjoy playing and touring the United States, in the future they hope to find themselves in an even bigger venue.

"The moon," Nicolay said when asked where the band plans to be in five years. "We want to be the first band to perform on the space station."

As for the music fans of State College unsure about whether or not to come to the show, Nicolay gave this piece of advice:

"It beats sitting around the house. We try to at least be entertaining, cause we have a good time and we just want to pass that on."

Furious Styles will be opening for this all ages show.

Doors open at 8 p.m. with VACO playing at 11 p.m. Tickets cost $6.