The Sugarcubes
| Industry | Music / Entertainment |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Kukl |
| Founded | 1986 in Reykjavík, Iceland |
| Founder | Björk Guðmundsdóttir, Einar Örn Benediktsson, Þór Eldon, Bragi Ólafsson, Sigtryggur Baldursson, Margrét "Magga" Örnólfsdóttir |
| Defunct | 1992 |
| Fate | Disbanded |
| Successor | Solo careers (notably Björk) |
| Headquarters | Reykjavík , Iceland |
Area served | International |
Key people | Björk Guðmundsdóttir (vocals, keyboards), Einar Örn Benediktsson (vocals, trumpet) |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Number of employees | 6 (final line-up) (1992) |
| Parent | Smekkleysa (Bad Taste Ltd) |
The Sugarcubes () were an alternative rock group originating from Reykjavík, Iceland, established in 1986 and disbanded in 1992. The primary members consisted of Björk Guðmundsdóttir (vocals, keyboards), Einar Örn Benediktsson (vocals, trumpet), Þór Eldon (guitar), Bragi Ólafsson (bass), Margrét "Magga" Örnólfsdóttir (keyboards), and Sigtryggur Baldursson (drums). Earlier lineups included Friðrik Erlingsson on guitar and Einar Melax on keyboards.
Their first album, Life's Too Good (1988), unexpectedly gained international acclaim and featured the well-known track "Birthday". This release was the first Icelandic record to achieve worldwide recognition, significantly impacting the country’s popular music landscape. Their second album, Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week! (1989), received a mixed critical response, while their final studio work, Stick Around for Joy (1992), was met with more favorable reviews and contained hit singles such as "Hit" and "Leash Called Love".
Described by Rolling Stone as "the largest rock act to emerge from Iceland," the band’s lead singer Björk later rose to international prominence as a solo artist and became Iceland’s top-selling musician.
1977–1986: Origins and formative period
Prior to The Sugarcubes’ creation, its members were involved with several Icelandic music groups. Björk had already recorded an album at age 11 and was part of the post-punk band Tappi Tíkarrass, which released two albums before disbanding in 1983. Drummer Sigtryggur Baldursson played in Þeyr, while Einar Örn Benediktsson, Bragi Ólafsson, and Friðrik Erlingsson performed with punk outfit Purrkur Pillnikk. By 1984, Björk, Einar Örn, and Sigtryggur had joined forces with keyboardist Einar Melax to form Kukl, producing two albums under the independent British label Crass Records.
The Sugarcubes officially came together on 8 June 1986, featuring Björk, Einar Örn, Þór Eldon (guitar), Friðrik Erlingsson (guitar), and Bragi Ólafsson (bass). Significantly, Björk gave birth to her son Sindri Eldon on that same day. Their initial live appearance as "Þukl" took place in July 1988 during Reykjavik’s N'Art Festival; by August they performed under the name Sykurmolarnir (the Icelandic term for Sugarcubes) at the Roxzý nightclub. Despite some beliefs associating their name with LSD usage, it actually reflected their intention to form a "cute" pop ensemble distinct from their previous musical endeavors.
1987–1988: Release of Life's Too Good
Toward the end of 1987, The Sugarcubes secured contracts with One Little Indian in the United Kingdom and Elektra Records in the United States. Their debut album, Life's Too Good, launched in 1988 to widespread critical praise across both continents. The band’s breakthrough occurred when BBC radio DJ John Peel championed the track "Birthday," which topped his 1987 Festive Fifty list and placed #23 on his All Time Chart. Their innovative avant-pop style blended psychedelic post-punk elements with playful lyrics and Björk’s unique vocal delivery, enhanced by Einar Örn’s unconventional contributions. In late 1988, The Sugarcubes toured North America to positive acclaim, highlighted by a notable show at The Ritz in New York City attended by figures such as David Bowie and Iggy Pop. On 15 October of that year, they performed "Birthday" and "Motorcrash" on the television program Saturday Night Live.
1989–1990: Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!
The band's sophomore album, Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!, was released in September 1989 and featured a greater vocal presence from Einar Örn. This shift attracted criticism and led to less favorable reviews compared to their debut effort. Nevertheless, some reviewers, including Robert Christgau, regarded it more highly than Life's Too Good. The singles "Regina" and "Planet" reached the top positions on the UK indie charts, although they did not achieve significant success on mainstream charts beyond Iceland. After completing an extensive international tour promoting the album, the group began contemplating disbanding and entered a period of inactivity.
1990–1992: Stick Around for Joy and breakup
Following their tour at the end of 1990, the members focused on individual projects. Their third and final studio album, Stick Around for Joy, arrived in February 1992 and featured guest guitarist John McGeoch on the opening track "Gold". This release garnered more positive critical reception than its predecessor and included the band's first major hit single, "Hit". Later singles such as "Walkabout" and "Vitamin" failed to chart. In late 1992, The Sugarcubes supported U2 during the US portion of their Zoo TV Tour, performing before audiences totaling approximately 700,000.
October 1992 saw the release of the remix album It's-It, which coincided with a reissue of "Birthday" featuring several remixes. Particularly notable was the Tony Humphries remix of "Leash Called Love", which reached number one on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs Chart.
The Sugarcubes officially dissolved in December 1992. Members continued their involvement with the record label Smekkleysa (Bad Taste Ltd). Meanwhile, Björk embarked on a successful solo career with acclaimed albums such as Debut (1993), Post (1995), and Homogenic (1997).
2006: Reunion
On 17 November 2006, the band reunited for a singular performance at Laugardalshöll arena in Reykjavík, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut single "Birthday". The event's proceeds were directed to the non-profit organization Smekkleysa SM, which supports Icelandic music. Icelandic acts múm and Rass also participated in the concert. Despite this reunion, there are no intentions to pursue additional shows or produce new material.
Style
According to Trouser Press, The Sugarcubes drew inspiration from bands like Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Cocteau Twins, blending in "electronically mutated trumpet and sound effects". Björk’s vocal style varies from a "little girl soprano" to that of a "crazed animal," while Einar takes lead vocals on certain songs with Björk providing backing vocals. Pitchfork categorized the band within the avant-rock genre.
Members
- Final line-up
- Björk Guðmundsdóttir – vocals, keyboards (1986–1992, 2006)
- Þór Eldon Jónsson – guitar (1986–1992, 2006)
- Bragi Ólafsson – bass (1986–1992, 2006)
- Einar Örn Benediktsson – vocals, trumpet (1986–1992, 2006)
- Sigtryggur "Siggi" Baldursson – drums, percussion (1987–1992, 2006)
- Margrét "Magga" Örnólfsdóttir – keyboards (1989–1992, 2006)
- Former members
- Fridrik Erlingsson – guitar (1987–1988)
- Einar Melax – keyboards (1987–1989)
- Tomasz Mertonski – jazz flute (1988–1989)
Studio albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart rankings | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS |
GER |
NLD |
SWE |
UK |
US | |||||||||||||
| Life's Too Good |
|
64 | — | — | 48 | 14 | 54 | |||||||||||
| Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week! |
|
105 | — | — | — | 15 | 70 | |||||||||||
| Stick Around for Joy |
|
74 | 58 | 71 | 29 | 16 | 95 | |||||||||||
| "—" signifies albums not released or unranked in that region. | ||||||||||||||||||
Compilations and remixes
| Title | Album information | Highest chart rankings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | UK | ||
| It's-It |
|
162 | 47 |
| The Great Crossover Potential |
|
158 | 161 |
Singles
1989 "Regina" 141 27 — — 55 1 2 — Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week! "Planet" — — — — 97 — — — Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week! 1992 "Hit" 76 18 — 28 17 — 1 — Stick Around for Joy "Walkabout" — — — — 82 — 16 — Stick Around for Joy "Vitamin" — — — — — — — — Stick Around for Joy "Leash Called Love" — — — — — — — 1 Stick Around for Joy "Birthday Remix" — — — — 64 — — — It's It| Year | Title | Highest chart rankings | Album | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | IRE | NZ | SWE | UK | UK Indie | US Alt | US Dance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1986 | "Einn Mol'á Mann" (Iceland only) (credited as Sykurmolarnir) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | non-album singles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1987 | "Luftguitar" (Iceland only) (credited to Johnny Triumph & Sykurmolarnir) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Birthday" | — | — | — | — | 65 | 2 | - | "—" | "Life's Too Good" |
- |
"Coldsweat" |
- |
- |
- |
56 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
"Deus" |
- |
- |
- |
- |
51 |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
"Birthday" (Reissue) |
- |
- |
41 |
- |
65 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
"Motorcrash" (Released in Continental Europe/US only) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
10 |
- |
Note: The symbol "—" indicates tracks that either did not enter the charts or were not released in those territories.
Vinyl and CD Box Sets
- 1989 – 12.11 (issued by One Little Indian Records)
- 1989 – 7.8 (released through One Little Indian Records)
- 1989 – CD.6 (distributed by One Little Indian Records)
- 2006 – The Complete Studio Albums Box – a triple CD set compiling the primary English studio albums, commemorating the 20th Anniversary reunion concert (One Little Indian Records)
Collaborations and Guest Appearances
- 1987 – Snarl II (Erðanumúsík), Icelandic compilation credited to Sykurmolarnir
- 1987 – Luftgítar (Smekkleysa), album by Johnny Triumph
- 1987 – Skytturnar (Gramm), soundtrack composed by Friðrik Þór Fríðriksson
- 1988 – One Little Indian - Greatest Hits Volume One (One Little Indian)
- 1990 – Hættuleg hljómsveit & glæpakvendið Stella (Megas)
- 1990 – World Domination or Death Volume 1 (joint release by Smekkleysa and Workers Playtime PLAY)
- 1990 – One Little Indian - Greatest Hits Volume Two (One Little Indian)
- 1990 – Rubáiyát: Elektra's 40th Anniversary (Elektra Records)
- 1993 – Welcome to the Future (One Little Indian)
Additional Releases
- 1988 – Sugarcubes Interview Disc (issued by One Little Indian)
- 1998 – Avengers (soundtrack) (WEA/Atlantic) featuring Annie Lennox’s rendition of "Mama"
- 1998 – Music Inspired by the Motion Picture: The Avengers (BIG EAR)
Video Collections
- 1989 – Live Zabor, VHS featuring live performances and interviews from 1988/89
- 1991 – The Video (Sugarcubes video album), available on VHS and laserdisc, a compilation of music videos
- 1992 – Murder and Killing in Hell, VHS capturing a live concert at Manchester Academy, UK
- 1992 – Sykurmolarnir – Á Guðs Vegum, Icelandic VHS containing live shows and remix material
- 2006 – The DVD (One Little Indian), an expanded re-release of 'The Video'
- 2006 – Live Zabor DVD (One Little Indian), reissued edition
Music Videos
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | "Luftgitar" (with Johnny Triumph) | The Sugarcubes |
| "Ammæli" (Icelandic version of "Birthday") | Friðrik Þór Friðriksson / The Sugarcubes | |
| "Birthday" (English version) | Kristín Jóhannesdóttir / Saga Films | |
| "Birthday" (English, Live) | Andy Lee / Martin Hart | |
| 1988 | "Cold Sweat" | Óskar Jónasson / The Sugarcubes |
| "Deus" | Óskar Jónasson / Myndbandagerd Reykjavikur | |
| "Motorcrash" | Óskar Jónasson / Frost Film | |
| 1989 | "Regina" | Óskar Jónasson / Þorgeir Gunnarsson |
| "Planet" | Óskar Jónasson | |
| "Eat the Menu" | Hyja Bio / Þorgeir Gunnarsson | |
| "Tidal Wave" | Hyja Bio / - | |
| 1991 | "Hit" | Óskar Jónasson |
| 1992 | "Hit" (Version 2) | Pedro Romhanyi |
| "Walkabout" | Pedro Romhanyi | |
| "Vitamin" | The Sugarcubes |