Sugar Ray

This article is about the band Sugar Ray. For the boxers, see Sugar Ray Leonard or Sugar Ray Robinson.
Sugar Ray is a rock band from Newport Beach, Orange County, California.

Early Years

Sugar Ray formed in 1992 with the name Shrinky Dinx, later changing it (upon threat of lawsuit from the Milton Bradley Company, maker of the Shrinky Dinks toy) to Sugar Ray after the boxer Sugar Ray Leonard.

The debut album, Lemonade and Brownies, was released in 1995, though it failed to produce a major hit. Their early work was strongly influenced by funk metal, pop, and alternative rock.

Mainstream Success
Fly
Sugar Ray's first mainstream hit came in the summer of 1997 with their song "Fly", which was released on the album Floored and featured reggae artist Super Cat. "Fly" was notable for not sounding anything at all like the rest of the tracks on the album and received frequent radio play. Although the single was something of an anomaly, those familiar with the first album would have recognized the obvious R&B influence on the band. As a result of the success of "Fly", Floored sold extremely well and was certified double platinum. However, by the end of 1997, critics skeptical that Sugar Ray could put out another successful song labeled them a one-hit wonder.

14:59
was the sardonic reply to these accusations, with the title implying that their fifteen minutes of fame were not quite up—their "fame clock" reading 14:59. "Every Morning", which received widespread comparisons to "Fly", rose to similar success in late 1998. Their follow-up single "Someday" received extensive airplay during 1999 as well. 14:59 outsold its predecessor and was certified triple platinum.

Sugar Ray and In the Pursuit of Leisure
Their 2001 self-titled album Sugar Ray produced another hit with "When It's Over" and reached the same level as their previous singles. Sugar Ray's 2003 effort In the Pursuit of Leisure, and the first single from that album, "Mr. Bartender (It's So Easy)" received a lukewarm reception. In 2005, Sugar Ray released a greatest hits album, with two new songs, including the single "Shot of Laughter".

Current Status
As of January 2006, Sugar Ray was released from their contract with Atlantic Records. The band is currently taking personal time off and writing new material. The official web site announced "our new song 'Into Yesterday' due out on the 'Surf's Up' movie soundtrack June 5th, 2007" and "Surf's Up: A true story; Hang Six In Theaters June 8 2007."

Band members
* Mark McGrath - vocals, guitar
* Rodney Sheppard - guitar
* Murphy Karges - bass - (born Matthew Murphy Karges, 20 June 1967)
* Stan Frazier - drums
* Craig Bullock (DJ Homicide) - turntables

Former members
Leor Dimant (DJ Lethal) - turntables (1995-1996)

Discography
So far Sugar Ray has released exactly one album every two years starting in 1995, June being the most frequent month for release.

Date of Release Title Label U.S. Billboard Peak RIAA Certification
April 4, 1995 Lemonade and Brownies Atlantic Records
June 24, 1997 Floored Atlantic Records #12 2X Platinum
January 12, 1999 14:59 Atlantic Records #17 3X Platinum
June 12, 2001 Sugar Ray Atlantic Records #6 Gold
June 3, 2003 In the Pursuit of Leisure Atlantic Records #29
June 21, 2005 The Best of Sugar Ray Atlantic Records #136

Hit Singles (in chronological order)
* "Mean Machine"
* "Fly" U.S.: #1 (airplay)
* "Every Morning" U.S.: #3 UK: #10
* "Someday" U.S.: #7
* "Falls Apart" U.S.: #29
* "Abracadabra"
* "When It's Over" U.S.: #13 UK: #32
* "Answer The Phone" U.S.# 40
* "Ours"
* "Mr. Bartender (It's So Easy)" #12 (Video)
* "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" U.S. #70
* "Chasin' You Around"
* "Shot of Laughter" U.S. #50
* "Under the Sun"