Sugar Ray

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This article is about the band Sugar Ray. For the boxers see, Sugar Ray Leonard or Sugar Ray Robinson.


Sugar Ray
Background information
Also known as	Shrinky Dinx
Origin	Newport Beach, California, United States
Genre(s)	Post-grunge, Ska punk
Years active	1992–present
Label(s)	Atlantic
Website	http://www.sugarray.com/
Members
Mark McGrath Rodney Sheppard Murphy Karges Stan Frazier Craig Bullock (DJ Homicide)

Sugar Ray is a rock band from Newport Beach, Orange County, California.

1 Biography
2 Band members
3 Former members
4 Discography
- 4.1 Hit Singles (in chronological order)
5 External links

[edit] Biography

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

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

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 notable 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 (some called it "constant") radio play. Although the single was somewhat 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.

Their 1999 album 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. This album, which outsold its predecessor and was certified triple platinum, proved that Sugar Ray was not a one-hit wonder after all. Sugar Ray was also set to play at Woodstock '99, but had to cancel due to illness.

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".

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. Hopes of a 2007 album and corresponding tour remain high.

[edit] Band members

Mark McGrath - vocals, guitar
Rodney Sheppard - guitar
Murphy Karges - bass
Stan Frazier - drums
Craig Bullock (DJ Homicide) - turntables

[edit] Former members

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

[edit] Discography

Album Cover	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	Double platinum
	January 12, 1999	14:59	Atlantic Records	#17	Triple 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