The Sugarcubes

The Sugarcubes

The Sugarcubes in a promotional band photo
Background information
Origin Reykjavík, Iceland
Genres Avant-pop, alternative rock
Years active 1986–1992, 2006
Labels One Little Indian, Elektra
Associated acts KUKL, Björk, Purrkur Pillnikk, Þeyr
Members Björk Guðmundsdóttir
Einar Örn Benediktsson
Sigtryggur Baldursson
Þór Eldon
Bragi Ólafsson
Margrét (Magga) Örnólfsdóttir
Past members Einar Arnaldur Melax

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.

History

The members of The Sugarcubes had formerly been in a variety of Icelandic bands. Björk had the longest career out of any of the members—she had recorded an album as early as 11 years old, and in her late teens, she joined the Icelandic post-punk band Tappi Tikarrass, who released two albums before splitting in 1983. Drummer Siggi (Sigtryggur) Baldursson was a member of Þeyr, and Einar Örn Benediktsson and Bragi Ólafsson formed a punk band called Purrkur Pillnikk. By 1984, Björk, Einar Örn, and Siggi had formed the supergroup KUKL with keyboardist Einar Melax, and released 2 albums[1] on the independent British record label Crass Records.

The Sugarcubes formed on June 8, 1986, with vocalist Björk, Björk's then-husband Þór (Thor) Eldon on guitar, and Bragi Ólafsson on bass. (That same day Björk gave birth to her and Þór Eldon's son, Sindri Eldon).[2]

The band's music has been described as avant-pop,[3][4] and was characterized by a psychedelic post-punk sound sometimes reminiscent of The B-52's and Talking Heads, whimsical yet heartfelt lyrics, and the imploring, girlish voice of Björk, accompanied by Einar Orn's erratic vocal performances.

In late 1987, the band signed to One Little Indian in the UK, Elektra Records in the US. The Sugarcubes released their debut album, Life's Too Good, in 1988, to critical acclaim in both the UK and the US. They first came to notice in the UK when radio DJ John Peel played "Birthday".[5] It became an indie hit in Britain, later voted single of the year, and a college radio hit in America. "Cold Sweat" and "Deus" were also released as singles and made the lower reaches of the UK charts, while the US single "Motorcrash" went top ten in the Modern Rock charts.

By the time the group recorded its second album, Þór had divorced Björk and married Magga Ornolfsdottir, who became the group's keyboardist after Einar Melax left. Bragi divorced his wife, who happened to be the twin sister of Siggi's wife. It was rumoured that he entered into a civil partnership with Einar Örn, but this turned out to be a hoax.

Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!, the band's second album, was released in 1989. The greater vocal contribution by Einar Örn on the record was criticized in many of the record's reviews, which were noticeably weaker than those for Life's Too Good. The singles "Regina" and "Planet" topped the UK indie charts but fared poorly in the mainstream charts outside of Iceland. After the release of Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!, the band embarked on a lengthy international tour.

At the conclusion of the tour in late 1990, the bandmembers pursued their own individual interests. Stick Around for Joy, the band's third album, was released in February 1992. Stick Around for Joy received better reviews than Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!, and spawned the band's first big hit single, the aptly titled "Hit". Further singles "Walkabout" and "Vitamin" failed to make any chart impact however. The Sugarcubes disbanded in late December of 1992. A collection of remixes entitled It's It was released in October 1992 along with a re-release of "Birthday" which was backed by numerous remixes of the song. The band remain friends to this day and are all still involved in the management of record label Smekkleysa (Bad Taste Ltd).

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.[6] 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

Studio albums

Year Album Chart positions Additional information
AUS
[7]		 CAN SWE
[8]		 UK
[9]		 UK Indie
[10]		 US
[11]
1988 Life's Too Good 64 59 48 14 1 54
1989 Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week! – – – 15 1 70 Also released in an Icelandic version titled Illur Arfur.
1992 Stick Around for Joy 74 76 29 16 – 95
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Compilations and remixes

Year Album Chart positions Additional information
CAN SWE
[8]		 UK
[9]		 UK Indie
[10]		 US
[11]
1992 It's-It – – 47 – – Collection of remixes
1998 The Great Crossover Potential – – 161 – – Hits compilation
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Singles

Year Song Chart positions Album
AUS
[7]		 IRE
[12]		 NZ
[13]		 SWE
[8]		 UK
[9]		 UK Indie
[10]		 US Mod Rock
[14]		 US Dance
[15]
1986 "Einn Mol'á Mann" (ICE only) (as Sykurmolarnir) — — — — — — — — singles only
1987 "Luftguitar" (ICE only) (as Johnny Triumph & Sykurmolarnir) — — — — — — — —
"Birthday" — — — — 65 2 — — Life's Too Good
1988 "Coldsweat" — — — — 56 1 — —
"Deus" — — — — 51 2 — —
"Birthday" (Reissue) — — 41 — 65 1 — —
"Motorcrash" (Continental Europe/US only) — — — — — — 10 —
1989 "Regina" — 27 — — 55 1 2 — Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!
"Planet" — — — — 97 — — —
1992 "Hit" 76 18 — 28 17 — 1 — Stick Around for Joy
"Walkabout" — — — — — — 16 —
"Vitamin" — — — — — — — —
"Leash Called Love" — — — — — — — 1
"Birthday Remix" — — — — 64 — — — It's It
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Vinyl and CD boxes

Collaborations and featuring

Other releases

References and notes

  1. ↑ "Kukl Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
  2. ↑ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "The Sugarcubes | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
  3. ↑ AllMusic
  4. ↑ Vibe
  5. ↑ bbc.co.uk (2008). "Festive 50s". Retrieved 2008-10-25.
  6. ↑ bjork.com (2006). "The Sugarcubes bounce back into concert!". Retrieved 2006-10-02.
  7. 1 2 Australian (ARIA Chart) peaks:
  8. 1 2 3 "swedishcharts.com > The Sugarcubes in Swedish Charts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  9. 1 2 3 UK chart peaks:
  10. 1 2 3 "Indie Hits "S"". Cherry Red Records. Archived from the original on 2009-07-20. Retrieved 2009-04-05.
  11. 1 2 "Billboard > Artists / The Sugarcubes > Chart History > Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  12. ↑ "The Irish Charts – All there is to know > Search results for 'Sugarcubes' (from irishcharts.ie)". Fireball Media. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  13. ↑ "charts.org.nz > The Sugarcubes in New Zealand Charts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  14. ↑ "The Sugarcubes - US Alternative Songs". billboard.com. Retrieved 2016-02-05.
  15. ↑ "The Sugarcubes - US Dance Club Songs". billboard.com. Retrieved 2016-02-05.

External links

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