Sugarcult
by Rhi*B
Issue 4, Summer/Fall 2004
It seems like it was just yesterday when Sugarcult released their debut album "Start Static." It's hard to believe that they released that album back in 2001, over three years ago! Since the release of "Start Static" the band has been busy playing hundreds of shows in hundreds of cities, dozens of states, and a handful of countries.
On April 13, 2004, Sugarcult dropped their sophomore album "Palm Trees and Powerlines." After waiting three years and having the release date pushed back a few times, loyal Sugarcult fans were ecstatic when the album was finally dropped. "Palm Trees and Powerlines" still has the same catchy beats as "Start Static," yet, the album shows a lot of maturity that usually is seen in a bands 2nd, 3rd or even 4th CDs. Tim Pagnotta, the bands lead vocalist and guitarist admits that most of the songs on PT&PL were written within a month of the band coming off of the road. Sugarcult also consists of Airin on bass, Marko 72 on guitar and Kenny Livingston on drums.
The new songs express deep emotions and feelings that the band experienced while living on the road. The themes of the new songs are mainly deep and sometimes thoughts of depression, but Tim being the writer of the songs opens up and pours his heart out into lyrics. In songs such as "Worst December," Tim sings, "Don't take from me/my heart is barely beating/don't take from me/I'm falling down/All I want to do/Is lie in bed with you/all I really ever need is you/All I gotta do/is give up all I have to be with you."
The actual lyrics are really dark, but the beat of the guitars, bass and drums make it so the song is not nearly as depressing as the lyrics. Towards the end of the song, Tim pushes his voice to its extreme screaming "December's gone it came and went." The meaning of "Worst December" is similar to the song "Lost in You" off of "Start Static." However, the lyrics are much more mature and deeper in PT&PL. During "Lost in You" he sings, "And all the pictures that I've kept/all the things I should have said/it was you and I, but mostly me./Lost in you/and I can't find myself again." By looking at a few lines from two songs, an obvious change can be seen.
After wrapping up a tour with MxPx and Simple Plan, and after releasing a new CD, Sugarcult still has a lot in store for which will become a great year for them. The band plans on following through with all of these plans despite Tim's medical issues. Tim was diagnosed with Tinnitus, which is ringing in the ears. Due to a recent worsening of this, Sugarcult were forced to cancel a few tour dates, and even perform a few shows acoustically. Even so, the band kept their heads up. They described the acoustic shows as "a special experience."
However, while playing at Asbury Park's Skate and Surf Festival, they shocked many by deciding to play electric instead of acoustic. They rocked the stage and all of their fans rocked the crowd. The guitar riffs were amazing along with the steller drum beats and bass chords. As always, Tim's voice was directly on key and back up vocals be Airin and Marko only added to the show.
After all of their hard work, the guys of Sugarcult deserve nothing less then what they are given. Now, after releasing a new album they have tons of plans in store for the near future. Currently, they are headlining their own tour which is visiting most of the United States along with Japan. After that, they are in the line up for Vans Warped Tour 2004.
After all of the touring and playing the Warped Tour, who knows what they will do next. Perhaps another CD, or possibly another tour? It is early in the new year and undecided at this point, but whatever they decide to do will be well deserved. Until then, check them out on their headlining tour, or this summer when Warped Tour stops by your hometown.
For more information, check out their website www.sugarcult.com