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Sugarsmacks: Original Mission
To the uninitiated, the Seattle based group Sugarsmacks could come off as a just another in the endless parade of recycled jam bands, slapdash alternative rockers and shoe gazing poindexters. To those in the know however, Sugarsmacks represent a fresh and sorely needed musical approach.
The diverse and discriminating mix of twenty something hipsters, grown-up punks and everyday music fans at their recent Seattle debut show tells the story. There was a real sense that the crowd came to see something new and there’s no doubt that Sugarsmacks delivered.
Anchored by vocalist Astra's powerful voice and evocative stage presence, the band ran through a tight set of originals and atypical covers that cleverly combined soul class with garage trash. It was a striking introduction that clearly impressed the audience. Sugarsmacks distinctly edgy and slightly funky update of classic 1960s soul had even the most jaded scenesters bobbing their heads in approval.
The band came about when Astra met drummer Dan Cunneen (leader of 90s Seattle neo-lounge sensations Nightcaps) in line at the Sonics reunion show at the Paramount Theater in Seattle. (“This dude started talking to me and it kinda creeped me out. But after we talked, I realized his interest was strictly professional, so it was cool,” says Astra with a laugh.) They discovered that they were both musicians with a desire to create an altogether modern band that drew from the past.
In short order, Astra recruited bassist Avtar Crowder (who also plays with Astra in Seattle’s Atomic Bride) and Dan got Garth Brandenburg (fellow Nightcaps alum and current Moonspinners guitar slinger) on board. Within weeks, Sugarsmacks were born.
They began by doing their own raw, stripped down versions of obscure songs by some of their favorite artists like Bettye Swann, Jerry Reed, Tammi Lynn, Lyn Collins and Lee Hazelwood. But, like Astra says, "This ain’t no fucking retro cover band." To that end, Sugarsmacks have penned a number of original songs and added them to their set - songs that point directly to where the band is going.
Sugarsmacks may get their inspiration from the past, but their execution is strictly modern. According to Dan, the key is their shared punk rock roots. “The first time we played together out of nowhere Garth busted into “Neat, Neat, Neat” by the Damned“, he says. “I started pounding away, Avtar jumped in with the bass line. When Astra started belting out the lyrics, I knew right then we were on to something.”
Dan’s right, they are on to something. Their potent blend of classic musical genres puts Sugarsmacks on a thoroughly original mission.
-Herb Neely January, 2009
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