Gordie Johnson (vocals, guitar)
Al Cross (drums)
Terry Wilkins (bass)
Kelly Hoppe (harmonica, melodica, steel guitar; 1995)
Gary Lowe (bass; 1995)
Stych Wilson (drums; replaced Cross 1995)
Patrick Ballantyne (acoustic guitar; 1995)
Paul Brennan (drums; replaced Wilson 1996)
Gavin Brown (drums; replaced Brennan 1997)
Big Sugar, as a "band" was formed in 1991 with Johnson (Infidels, Molly Johnson, Watertown), Cross (Jane Siberry, Don Freed) and Wilkins (Rough Trade, David Wilcox) though the three musicians had worked together at impromptu jam nights for 5 years at the Hotel Isabella. Wilkins and Johnson were also members of a later day version of Downchild.
With the help of singer Molly Johnson (Alta Moda, Infidels), the band drew the attention of Tom Treumuth's Hypnotic Records who signed them and stuck them in a live-off-the -floor setting to do what they do best - improvise. 50 songs were recorded and 12 were released on their eponymous debut in 1991.
In 1993 the band changed with the exit of Wilkins and they released 'Five Hundred Pounds' which featured musicians including Kelly Hoppe who would later join the band. Their first noteworthy single from the album also spawned an EP called "Ride Like Hell". With little fanfare the CD sold nearly 10,000 copies.
Throughout 1993 and 1994 the band developed its chops and reputation as a musical genre jukebox of improvisation in the clubs - usually at the El Seven Nite Club. The result was a full length live compilation of Big Sugar performing with some of Toronto's hottest El Seven regulars.
By 1995 some new material was demanded by the fans and Big Sugar aimed to please with the 5 song EP 'Dear Mr. Fantasy' - featuring a reworking of the classic Traffic tune. The band at this point was made up of Johnson, Cross, Kelly Hoppe handling the harmonica, melodica, and steel guitar, Garry Lowe on bass, Stytch Wilson on drums and Patrick Ballantyne on acoustic guitar.
In 1996 Big Sugar had mutated once more with their heavy guitar 'Hemi Vision' and had added ex-Odds drummer Paul Brennan. "Diggin' A Hole" vaulted them into the MuchMusic spotlight and their album began some serious sales and gigs were plentiful.
Brennan's stay was short lived and he departed in mid-1997. He was replaced by Gavin Brown.
In 2000, the band released its long-gestating dub project, "Extra Long Life", under the moniker Alkaline.
With notes from Chris Liedtke
Singles
1991 Sleep In Late (Hypnotic/A&M)
1991 Come Back Baby (Hypnotic/A&M)
1991 Ride Like Hell (Hypnotic/A&M)
1993 Sugar In My Coffee (Hypnotic/A&M)
1996 Diggin' A Hole (A&M)
1996 If I Had My Way (A & M)
1996 Opem Up Baby [English] (A & M)
1996 Opem Up Baby [French] (A & M)
1998 The Scene [English] (A&M)
1998 The Scene [French] (A&M)
1999 Turn The Lights On [English]
1999 Turn The Lights On [French]
Albums
1991 Big Sugar (Hypnotic/A&M)
1993 Five Hundred Pounds (Hypnotic/A&M)
1993 Ride Like Hell! [EP] (Hypnotic/A&M)
1994 El Seven Nite Club featuring Big Sugar with Guest Vocalists (Hypnotic/A&M)
1995 Dear Mr. Fantasy (Hypnotic/A&M)
1996 Hemi-Vision (A&M)
1998 Heated (A&M)
2000 Extra Long Life (as Alkaline) (A&M)
Video
1991 Sleep In Late
1991 Come Back Baby
1996 Diggin' A Hole
1996 If I Had My Way
1998 The Scene [English]
1998 The Scene [French]
1999 Turn The Lights On [English]
1999 Turn The Lights On (French]
Compilation Tracks
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