Sugar (American band)
American alternative rock band
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sugar are an American alternative rock band. Originally active between 1992 and early 1995, they are led by the singer and guitarist Bob Mould (ex-Hüsker Dü), alongside bassist David Barbe (ex-Mercyland) and drummer Malcolm Travis (ex-Human Sexual Response).[2] Following thirty years of inactivity, the band reformed in October 2025.
Sugar | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Brooklyn NY, Boston MA, Athens GA, US |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1992–1995,[1] 2025–present |
| Labels | Rykodisc Creation (UK) |
| Members | Bob Mould David Barbe Malcolm Travis |
| Website | sugarcopperblue.com |
Career
After frontman Bob Mould departed from Hüsker Du, he released two solo ventures, the critically acclaimed Workbook as well as Black Sheets of Rain. Mould parted ways with Virgin Records in 1991, and toured the world as a solo performer while writing and performing dozens of new songs. Mould enlisted David Barbe and Malcolm Travis as the rhythm section for future recording sessions.
In early 1992, Mould, Barbe and Travis rehearsed thirty songs in the back of a tire shop in downtown Athens, Georgia. The band was named in a Waffle House restaurant in Athens, when Mould spotted a sugar packet on the table where he and the other two band members were sitting. Their first concert was on February 20, 1992, at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia.
Later in 1992, the band released the album Copper Blue on Rykodisc in the US and Creation Records in the UK.[3] Copper Blue was named Album Of The Year 1992 by NME.[4] The music videos for the singles "If I Can't Change Your Mind" and "Helpless" received extensive air time on MTV shortly after the album's release.[1] The single for "If I Can't Change Your Mind" had moderate success in the UK Singles Chart.[2]
In the spring of 1993, they released Beaster, an EP of material recorded during the Copper Blue sessions. The album proved to be more aggressive than the content on Copper Blue.[1] After an abortive attempt to record a second album, the band regrouped and released File Under: Easy Listening in September 1994. It reached No. 7 in the UK Albums Chart.[2]
The band played their final show in Sendai, Japan in January 1995. Barbe wished to spend more time with his growing family. Travis took over the drumming slot in Kustomized. Mould continued performing as a solo artist. A b-side compilation album, Besides, was released in July 1995.
Mould spent the summer of 2012 touring and playing Copper Blue in its entirety, marking the first time he had performed Sugar's material live since the band split up.[5]
In October 2025, several social media accounts were created under the name "Sugar Copper Blue," featuring short archival clips of Sugar shows. All three members of Sugar notably followed the Instagram account, fueling reports of a rumored reunion.[6][7] On October 15, 2025, the band's newly-created website announced live shows in London and New York City in 2026, together with a new song called "House of Dead Memories."[8]
Discography
| Sugar discography | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | 2 |
| EPs | 1 |
| Live albums | 1 |
| Compilation albums | 3 |
| Singles | 8 |
The discography of Sugar consists of two studio albums, one EP, one compilation album, one live album, two boxsets and eight singles.
Albums
EPs
Compilations
Live albums
- The Joke Is Always on Us, Sometimes. (Edsel, 2013)
Box sets
- A Box of Sugar (Edsel, 2013) – 5xLP
- Complete Recordings 1992-1995 (Edsel, 2014) – 5xCD
Singles
- All singles were released on both Creation and Rykodisc; except where indicated.
| Title[13] | Year | Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Alt [9] |
NZ [11] |
UK [12] | |||
| "Changes" (Creation) | 1992 | – | – | 77 | Copper Blue |
| "Helpless" (Rykodisc) | 5 | 37 | – | ||
| "A Good Idea" | – | – | 65 | ||
| "If I Can't Change Your Mind" | 1993 | – | – | 30 | |
| "Tilted" (Creation) | – | – | 48 | Beaster | |
| "Your Favorite Thing" | 1994 | 14 | – | 40 | File Under: Easy Listening |
| "Believe What You're Saying" | – | – | 73 | ||
| "Gee Angel" (Rykodisc) | 1995 | – | – | – | |
| "House of Dead Memories" (Granary/BMG) | 2025 | – | – | – | House of Dead Memories |
