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Sugarcubes
Origin Iceland
Genre(s) Alternative rock
Indie rock
Post-Punk
Electro
Powerpop
Art rock
Years active 1986-1992, 2006
Label(s) One Little Indian
Elektra Records

The Sugarcubes (Sykurmolarnir in Icelandic) were an Icelandic alternative rock band formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1992. They received critical and popular acclaim internationally.

Contents

History

They first came to notice in the UK when radio DJ John Peel played "Birthday", later voted by his listeners as a single of the year.[1] The band's music was characterized by a psychedelic post-punk sound sometimes reminiscent of The B-52's, whimsical yet heartfelt lyrics, and the imploring, girlish voice of vocalist Björk Guðmundsdóttir, who later went on to great success as a solo artist. While not as successful as Björk's solo career would be, the band is still very highly regarded and was the most influential Icelandic group until the rise of Sigur Rós.

The Sugarcubes dissolved in 1992 as different members of the band had realised they all had different ambitions; instead of risking their friendship, the band went on an indefinite hiatus. They remain friends to this day and are all still involved in the management of Smekkleysa/Bad Taste.

On November 17, 2006, the band had a one-off reunion concert at Laugardalshöll sport arena in Reykjavík, Iceland, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut single with all profits going to the non-profit Smekkleysa SM to promote Icelandic music.[2]. They were supported by fellow Icelandic groups múm and Rass. Despite this reunion, the group has expressed that it has no intention to play future shows or record new material.

Line up

Discography

Albums

Year Album UK U.S. Additional information
1988 Life's Too Good 14 54
1989 Here Today, Tomorrow, Next Week! 15 70 Also released in an Icelandic version titled Illur Arfur.
1992 Stick Around for Joy 16 95
1992 It's-It - - Collection of remixes
1998 The Great Crossover Potential 161 - Hits compilation

Singles

Year Song UK singles U.S. Mod Rock U.S. Dance AUS Album
1986 "Ammæli" / "Köttur" - - - - Einn Mol'á Mann (Icelandic 500-only EP)
1987 "Birthday" 65 - - - Life's Too Good
1988 "Coldsweat" 56 - - -
"Deus" 51 - - -
"Motorcrash" (Europe/Asia only) - 10 - -
"Luftguitar" (Iceland only EP)1 - - - - —
"Birthday" / "Christmas" EP2 65 - - - —
1989 "Regina" 55 2 - - Here Today Tomorrow Next Week!
"Planet" 97 - - -
1990 "Tidal Wave" (promo only) - - - -
1991 "Hit" 17 1 - 76 Stick Around for Joy
1992 "Walkabout" - 16 - -
"Vitamin" - - - -
"Leash Called Love" - - 1 -
"Birthday" / "Double Remix" EP 64 - - - It's It
Notes
  • 1 Released under Johnny Triumph's name as track was a duet, not classed as strictly a Sugarcubes release.
  • 2 Jesus and Mary Chain remixes; disc 2 is a live EP.

Vinyl and CD boxes

Collaborations and featuring

Other releases

See also

References

  1. ^ bbc.co.uk (2008). ""Festive 50s"". Retrieved on 2008-10-25.
  2. ^ bjork.com (2006). ""The Sugarcubes bounce back into concert!"". Retrieved on 2006-10-02.

External links

v • d • e
The Sugarcubes
Björk Guðmundsdóttir · Einar Örn Benediktsson · Þór Eldon Jónsson · Bragi Ólafsson · Margrét Örnólfsdóttir · Sigtryggur Baldursson
Former members
Friðrik Erlingsson · Einar Arnaldur Melax
Albums
Management
Árni Benediktsson
See also
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sugarcubes"


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