The Sugarcubes (Icelandic: Sykurmolarnir) were an Icelandic alternative rock band from Reykjavík formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1992.
For most of their career, the band consisted of Björk (vocals, keyboards), Einar Örn Benediktsson
(vocals, trumpet), Þór Eldon (guitar), Bragi Ólafsson (bass), Margrét "Magga" Örnólfsdóttir (keyboards) and Sigtryggur Baldursson (drums). They were the biggest group ever to emerge from Iceland, which helps explain their off-kilter sense of melody. Their 1988 debut "Life's Too Good" attracted terrific reviews and became a college radio hit, but they never were able to recapture that sense of excitement.
According to group legend, the Sugarcubes formed on June 8, 1986, the day that vocalist Björk gave birth to her son. Prior to that day, the members of the group had been in a variety of Icelandic bands.
Björk had the longest career out of any of the members. By 1984, Björk, Einar Örn Benediktsson and Siggi Baldursson had joined forces, forming KUKL with keyboardist Einar Melax. KUKL — which means witchcraft in Icelandic — was a noisy, artsy, post-punk band that released two albums on the independent British record label Crass. In 1986, KUKL evolved into the Sugarcubes, adding Björk's then-husband Thor Eldon on guitar and Bragi Ólafsson on bass.
In late 1987, the band signed to One Little Indian in the U.K., Elektra Records in the U.S. The
Sugarcubes released their debut album "Life's Too Good" in 1988 to critical acclaim in both the U.K. and the U.S. Birthday, the first single from the album, became an indie hit in Britain and a college radio hit in America. In particular, Björk received a heap of praise, which began tensions between her and Einar Örn.
"Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!", the band's second album, was released in September 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". Not all critics agreed that it was worse than their debut album, though. Robert Christgau rated it a B+, higher than the B- he gave "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 end of the tour, they started to ponder about splitting up and went on a hiatus.
The album featured a greater vocal contribution by Einar, which was criticized in many of the record's reviews, which were noticably weaker than those for "Life's Too Good". 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 band members pursued their own individual interests.
"Stick Around for Joy", the band's third album, was released in 1992. Before the record appeared, a collection of remixes called It's It was released in Europe. "Stick Around for Joy" received better reviews than "Life's Too Good", but the album failed to yield a hit single. It featured guest guitarist
John McGeoch (formerly of Magazine and Siouxsie and the Banshees) on the opening track "Gold". The album received noticeably 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. The Sugarcubes opened for U2 during the US leg of their Zoo TV Tour in October and November 1992, playing to a grand total of 700,000 people. Following its release, the Sugarcubes disbanded. In 1993, Björk launched a critically acclaimed and commercially successful solo career that was based in dance music.
On 17 November 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 "Birthday" with all profits going to the non-profit Smekkleysa SM to promote Icelandic music.
MEMBERS
Björk Guðmundsdóttir – vocals, keyboards
Einar Örn Benediktsson – vocals, trumpet
Sigtryggur Baldursson – drums, percussion
Þór Eldon – guitar
Bragi Ólafsson – bass
Margrét "Magga" Örnólfsdóttir – keyboards (1989–1992, 2006)
Einar Melax – keyboards (1987–1989; replaced by Margrét Örnólfsdóttir)
Fridrik Erlingsson – guitar (left the band at the time of the first album release)
THE SUGARCUBES - LIFE'S TOO GOOD 1988
TRACKS
01. Traitor 3:08
02. Motorcrash 2:23
03. Birthday 3:59
04. Delicious Demon 2:43
05. Mama 2:56
06. Coldsweat 3:15
07. Blue Eyed Pop 2:38
08. Deus 4:07
09. Sick For Toys 3:15
10. Fucking In Rhythm & Sorrow 3:14
11. Take Some Petrol Darling 1:27
12. Cowboy 3:26
13. I Want... 2:14
14. Dragon (Icelandic) 3:07
15. Cat (Icelandic) 2:56
16. Coldsweat (Remix) 3:16
17. Deus (Remix) 5:12
Total length: 54:52
MP3 @ 320 Size: 128 MB
Flac Size: 355 MB
HERE TODAY, TOMORROW NEXT WEEK! 1989
TRACKS
01. Tidal Wave 2:56
02. Regina 4:05
03. Speed Is The Key 3:18
04. Dream TV 3:12
05. Nail 3:18
06. Pump 4:25
07. Eat The Menu 3:44
08. Bee 2:26
09. Dear Plastic 3:23
10. Shoot Him 2:10
11. Water 3:01
12. A Day Called Zero 2:38
13. Planet 3:23
14. Hey 3:22
15. Dark Disco 1 3:01
16. Hot Meat 3:26
MP3 @ 320 Size: 120 MB
Flac Size: 358 MB
STICK AROUND FOR JOY 1992
TRACKS
02. Hit 3:56
03. Leash Called Love 3:42
04. Lucky Night 4:03
05. Happy Nurse 3:37
06. I'm Hungry 4:33
07. Walkabout 3:48
08. Hetero Scum 3:08
09. Vitamin 3:41
10. Chihuahua 3:31
MP3 @ 320 Size: 89 MB
Flac Size: 264 MB
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