Sugar (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Sugar

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Img_capt = Publicity photo distributed by Creation, 1992. L-R: Travis, Mould, Barbe
Img_size =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = USA
Genre = Alternative rock
Post-punk
Years_active = 1992–1995
Label = Rykodisc
Creation (UK)
Associated_acts = Hüsker Dü
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members = Bob Mould
David Barbe
Malcolm Travis
Notable_instruments =

Sugar was an American alternative rock band of the early 1990s led by former Hüsker Dü vocalist/guitarist Bob Mould. Ex-Mercyland bassist David Barbe and ex-Zulus/ ex-Human Sexual Response drummer Malcolm Travis rounded out the trio. Mould envisioned Sugar as a similar musical venture to Hüsker Dü except with him writing all the songs and calling all the shots. Their sound was more radio-friendly than that of Hüsker Dü, though with similarly dark undertones.

Their first live show was February 20, 1992, at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, GA, after a few weeks warming up in R.E.M.'s downtown practice space. It was a "secret" show, not advertised in the local media, bumping Athens band Roosevelt from headliner to opener. Word got out and the club was packed.

Later in 1992, the band released the album "Copper Blue", which was named Album Of The Year 1992 by the "NME". The following year they released "Beaster", an EP of darker material recorded during the "Copper Blue" sessions. The single "If I Can't Change Your Mind" was a moderate UK hit.

After a first abortive attempt to record a second full-length album, the band regrouped and recorded "" quickly in the spring of 1994 and released it that fall. A B-side collection, "Besides", followed in 1995. Mould broke the band up later that year because Barbe wished to spend more time with his growing family and expand his solo career. Travis then took over the drumming slot in the band Kustomized.

Discography

Albums, EP

*"Copper Blue" LP (Rykodisc, 1992)
*"Beaster" EP (Rykodisc, 1993)
*"" LP (Rykodisc, 1994)
*"Besides" compilation LP (Rykodisc, 1995)
*"The Joke Is Always On Us, Sometimes." Live disc, incl. w/ "Besides"

ingles

*"Changes" (Creation, 1992)
*"Helpless" (Rykodisc, 1992)
*"A Good Idea" (Rykodisc, 1992) UK:#65
*"If I Can't Change Your Mind" (Rykodisc, 1992) UK:#30
*"Tilted" (Rykodisc, 1993) UK:#48
*"Your Favorite Thing" (Rykodisc, 1994) UK:#48
*"Believe What You're Saying" (Rykodisc, 1994) UK:#78
*"Gee Angel" (Rykodisc, 1994)

External links

* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:zrfibkh96akx Sugar's AMG entry]