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Sugar Ray

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Sugar Ray
Sugar Ray performing on July 4, 2024
Sugar Ray performing on July 4, 2024
Background information
Also known asShrinky Dinx (1986–1994)
OriginNewport Beach, California, U.S.[1]
Genres
Years active1986–present
Labels
Members
Past members
Websitewww.sugarray.com
Sugar Ray performing in 2008

Sugar Ray is an American rock band formed in Newport Beach, California in 1986 that currently consists of Mark McGrath, Rodney Sheppard, Dean Butterworth, and Kristian Attard.[2] Originally playing heavier nu metal and funk metal style music, the band shifted styles to a more radio-friendly pop sound after they achieved success with "Fly" (1997). The band then achieved success with "Every Morning" (1999), "Someday" (1999), "Falls Apart" (1999), "Answer the Phone" (2001), and "When It's Over" (2001). The band has released seven studio albums: Lemonade and Brownies (1995), Floored (1997), 14:59 (1999), Sugar Ray (2001), In the Pursuit of Leisure (2003), Music for Cougars (2009), and Little Yachty (2019).

History

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Formation and Lemonade and Brownies (1986–1996)

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The band members grew up in Orange County, California. Rodney Sheppard played in several reggae bands and worked with future Good Charlotte drummer Dean Butterworth. In the late 1980s, prior to Sugar Ray, Sheppard and Stan Frazier played together in a band under the name The Tories. Later additions Murphy Karges and Mark McGrath changed the band's name to Shrinky Dinx (initially "Shrinky Dinks").[3] After signing with Atlantic Records, the name was changed to Sugar Ray, after Sugar Ray Leonard, upon threat of a lawsuit from the Milton Bradley Company, maker of the Shrinky Dinks toy.[4]

The band's debut album, Lemonade and Brownies, was released in 1995 and though it was not a commercial success, it did earn the band recognition in alternative music circles. It included the song "Mean Machine", which peaked at No. 45 on the Radio & Records active rock chart.[5]

Floored (1997–1998)

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The band's first mainstream hit was "Fly", released in May 1997. It was included on the album Floored and featured reggae musician Super Cat. "Fly" did not sound anything at all like the rest of the tracks on the album and received frequent radio play, reaching number 1 on Billboard's Airplay List. As a result of the success of "Fly", Floored sold well and achieved the RIAA certification of double platinum. By the end of 1997, critics were skeptical that Sugar Ray could put out another successful song and labeled them a one-hit wonder.[4] The same year, Sugar Ray was featured in the movie Fathers' Day, starring Billy Crystal and Robin Williams.

Sugar Ray played on the Vans Warped Tour in 1997.[6]

14:59 (1999–2000)

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14:59, released in January 1999, was the band's reply to suggestions that they were a one-hit wonder, with the title implying that their 15 minutes of fame were not quite up — their "fame clock" read 14:59.[7]

"Every Morning", which was widely compared to "Fly", had similar success during the spring of 1999, reaching number 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. When asked about the band's change of style, bassist Murphy Karges said, "We never had any credibility. Nobody ever gave us any so how could we lose any?"[8]

Their follow-up single "Someday" also enjoyed extensive airplay later that year and reached number 7 in the U.S. "Falls Apart" reached number 29 in early 2000. 14:59 outsold its predecessor and was certified triple platinum.[9]

The band toured in support of the album, and were scheduled to perform at Woodstock '99 but McGrath fell ill, with nodules on his throat, and they cancelled.[10][11][12]

In 2000, Sugar Ray did a cover version of John Cale and Brian Eno's song "Spinning Away" for the soundtrack to the film The Beach.[13]

Sugar Ray (2001–2002)

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Sugar Ray, released in June 2001, included "When It's Over", which reached number 13 in the U.S.[14] "Answer the Phone" peaked at number 33 on the US Adult Pop Airplay chart and number 39 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart in late 2001.

Due to the band's popularity, the band made a cameo appearance in Scooby-Doo in 2002.[10]

In the Pursuit of Leisure and The Best of Sugar Ray (2003–2005)

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In the Pursuit of Leisure, released in June 2003, contains the band's cover of Joe Jackson's "Is She Really Going Out With Him?".[15] ProHoeZak guested live with the band in 2003 having appeared on "Mr. Bartender (It's So Easy)".

In 2005, Sugar Ray released a greatest hits album, The Best of Sugar Ray, with three new songs, "Shot of Laughter", "Time After Time", and "Psychedelic Bee".

Inactivity and Music for Cougars (2006–2009)

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The band then went into a period of relative inactivity. In September 2004, Mark McGrath became an anchor on the television show Extra.[16][17]

In January 2006, Sugar Ray was released from their recording contract with Atlantic Records.

In mid-2007, their previously unreleased song "Into Yesterday" was used on the Surf's Up movie soundtrack, and the band made brief tour in Asia in August 2007 where they headlined Singfest.

Jason Bernard, a music producer and friend of the band brought them a deal to sign with his label, Pulse Recordings, and the band recorded their next album, Music for Cougars, released in July 2009.[18] The first single was "Boardwalk".[1] Some critics noted that McGrath aimed to lower people's expectations for the album during its promotion by saying things like: "I know people aren't sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for a Sugar Ray album, but that wasn't the point."[1]

Lineup changes and 1990s nostalgia touring (2010–2017)

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Craig "DJ Homicide" Bullock left the band in 2010.[19]

In 2011, the band had what McGrath described as not "the highest-grossing year for Sugar Ray".[20]

Murphy Karges and Stan Frazier left in 2012, one not wanting to tour anymore, and the other taking a job with Aaron Rodgers. This left Rodney Sheppard and McGrath as the remaining original members.[21] Percussionist Al Keith, bassist Justin Bivona, and drummer Jesse Bivona, were hired as replacements.[21]

In a lawsuit filed in October 2013, Karges and Frazier claimed that McGrath forced them and Bullock out of the band to be able to claim a higher share of revenues.[22]

In 2012, McGrath worked with Art Alexakis, frontman and vocalist of Everclear, on starting up a 1990s nostalgia tour, the "Summerland" tour, which included Marcy Playground, Gin Blossoms, and Lit.[23][20][24]

Percussionist Al Keith (Khalil Al-Rashad) injured his foot in July 2012 at Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California, during the song "Fly". He was absent from shows until August 2012. The tour was deemed a success, and McGrath initially spoke of the possibility of it becoming a yearly event.[24]

McGrath announced a "Mark McGrath & Friends" tour, in which the band would perform alongside other 1990s alternative rock bands Smash Mouth, Spin Doctors, and Vertical Horizon, on a cruise ship, though the plans were cancelled, with the idea losing support after the Carnival Triumph cruise ship disaster.[25][26]

McGrath and Alexakis disagreed on the future direction for the "Summerland" tour, leading to Sugar Ray leaving its 2013 incarnation in favor of starting a rival nostalgia tour called "Under the Sun", which ran from 2013 to 2015.[27][20][28]

For the tour, drummer Jesse Bivona and bassist Justin Bivona were temporarily replaced by drummer Dean Butterworth and bassist Serg Dimitrijevic, as the Bivona brothers' band The Interrupters are opening for Rancid.

McGrath released an EP as a solo EP entitled Summertime's Coming in 2015.[29]

Drummer Jesse Bivona and bassist Justin Bivona left Sugar Ray in 2016. Drummer Dean Butterworth became a full member in fall 2014, while bassist Kristian Attard became a full member in 2016.

Little Yachty (2019–present)

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In June 2019, ten years after the band last released music, Sugar Ray signed with BMG Rights Management and signed a talent management agreement with APA.[30][31][32]

In July 2019, the band released Little Yachty. The album title is a reference to both the rapper Lil Yachty and the fact that McGrath views Sugar Ray as a "yacht rock" band.[33][34][35]

In September 2025, the band performed at an NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers.[36]

Musical style

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Sugar Ray's sound originally fused hair metal and hardcore punk with sampledelic hip-hop, new wave, disco, and dub.[4] This sound has been predominantly categorized as nu metal[4][37][38][39][40][41] and funk metal,[42] as well as alternative metal,[43] hard rock,[44] punk rock,[37] punk metal,[4] and rap metal.[45] Music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the band's early sound as a fusion of metal, funk, reggae, and rap.[46] He also stated that after the success of their hit "Fly" they "no longer tried to ape the Red Hot Chili Peppers."[47]

Regarding the band's first two albums, singer Mark McGrath stated, "we were the Chili Peppers with zero talent. [...] Out of necessity we kind of became known as a metal band, a little pre nu-metal type rap rock thing before there was rap rock."[28]

Sugar Ray shifted to a pop rock sound following the mainstream success of "Fly",[48] beginning with their third studio album, 14:59 (1999).[40]

The band's later music has been categorized as skate punk,[49] pop,[40] and alternative pop.[4]

The band's overall sound, throughout its shifts in style, has been characterized as alternative rock.[50]

Awards and nominations

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Award Year Nominee(s) Category Result Ref.
BMI Pop Awards 1999 "Fly" Award-Winning Songs Won [51]
2001 "Falls Apart" Won [52]
2002 "When It's Over" Won [53]
Billboard Music Awards 1999 Themselves Top Duo/Group Nominated [54]
Top Hot 100 Artist - Duo/Group Nominated
Top Hot Top 40 Artist Nominated
Top Adult Top 40 Artist Nominated
Top Modern Rock Artist Nominated
"Every Morning" Top Hot 100 Airplay Nominated
Top Hot Top 40 Track Nominated
Top Adult Top 40 Track Nominated
Top Modern Rock Track Nominated
Billboard Music Video Awards 1999 "Every Morning" Best Pop Clip Nominated [55]
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards 1998 Floored Favorite Group – Modern Rock Won [56]
International Dance Music Awards 1998 "Fly" Best Alternative 12" Won [57]
Online Music Awards 1999 Themselves Favorite Rock Group Nominated
Teen Choice Awards 2000 Themselves Choice Rock Group Nominated [58]
"Someday" Choice Single Nominated
2001 North American Tour Choice Concert Nominated [59]
Mark McGrath Choice Male Hottie Nominated
2005 Choice TV: Male Personality Nominated [60]

Band members

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Timeline

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Discography

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 Prince, David J. (May 4, 2009). "Sugar Ray Returns With 'Music For Cougars'". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Sugar Ray Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More |..." AllMusic. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  3. ↑ Chao, Eveline; Weingarten, Christopher R.; Geist, Brandon; Spanos, Brittany; Grow, Kory; Epstein, Dan; Greene, Andy (July 22, 2015). "25 Worst Original Names of Famous Bands". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Huey, Steve (2002). "Sugar Ray – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  5. ↑ "Active Rock Top 50" (PDF). Radio & Records. June 23, 1995. p. 60 – via WorldRadioHistory.com.
  6. ↑ Carroll, Rob (February 25, 2026). "Bet You Forgot These 15 Artists Played Warped Tour - Eminem, Katy Perry + More". Loudwire. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  7. ↑ Huxley, Martin (September 30, 1999). "Sugar Ray: An Unlikely Road to Stardom". Broadcast Music, Inc.
  8. ↑ Boehm, Mike (January 11, 1999). "Sugar Ray: 2-Hit Wonders". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Sugar Ray to perform pre-race concert at Phoenix". ESPN. Phoenix. August 21, 2017.
  10. 1 2 Stevens, Kyle (December 1, 2016). "Mark McGrath Sets the Record Straight on Scooby-Doo and Woodstock '99". HuffPost.
  11. ↑ "Every band that was supposed to play Woodstock '99 but didn't". Daily Sentinel. August 6, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Xzibit, Busta Rhymes On New Tha Liks Album". Billboard. January 24, 2001.
  13. ↑ Arcand, Rob (February 10, 2018). "Please Enjoy This Sugar Ray Cover of Brian Eno and John Cale's "Spinning Away"". Yahoo. Spin.
  14. ↑ "Sugar Ray Cruises In 'Pursuit Of Leisure'". Billboard. April 8, 2003.
  15. ↑ Cinquemani, Sal (June 7, 2003). "Review: Sugar Ray, In the Pursuit of Leisure". Slant Magazine.
  16. ↑ "'Extra' Sweet: McGrath To Co-Host TV Show". Billboard. September 3, 2004.
  17. ↑ Devenish, Colin (October 14, 2004). "McGrath Does "Extra" Work". Rolling Stone.
  18. ↑ Prince, David J. (June 8, 2009). Linden, Sheri (ed.). "Rock band Sugar Ray back in the ring as indie act". Reuters.
  19. ↑ Frazer, Neill (July 13, 2025). "Where Are They Now? : 90's American Rock Band Sugar Ray". Outloud Culture.
  20. 1 2 3 Greene, Andy (February 12, 2013). "Mark McGrath: 'I Understand Why People Don't Like Me'". Rolling Stone.
  21. 1 2 "It's been almost a decade since Sugar Ray has". Orange County Register. June 23, 2012.
  22. ↑ Reynolds, Matt (October 22, 2013). "Sugar Ray Members Sue Mark McGrath". Courthouse News Service.
  23. ↑ Spillane, Sean (July 24, 2012). "Sugar Ray part of Summerland Tour coming to Mohegan Sun Arena – Connecticut Post". Connecticut Post. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014.
  24. 1 2 Ryan (September 21, 2012). "Looking Past Summerland 2012 with Sugar Ray and Mark McGrath". Alternative Addiction. Archived from the original on September 24, 2012.
  25. ↑ Makarechi, Kia (March 1, 2013). "Mark McGrath Cruise Canceled After Carnival 'Poop Cruise' Fiasco, The '90s Weep". HuffPost.
  26. ↑ Payne, Chris (February 28, 2013). "Mark McGrath Cancels Cruise, Citing 'Poop' Ship". Billboard.
  27. ↑ Greene, Andy (March 25, 2013). "2013 Summerland Tour Unites Everclear, Live, Filter | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  28. 1 2 Garro, Adrian (June 5, 2015). "Embracing Nostalgia with Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray (Interview) – Rock Cellar Magazine". Rock Cellar Magazine. Archived from the original on July 14, 2018.
  29. ↑ Dionne, Zach (June 19, 2015). "Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath Is Crowdfunding His First Solo EP". Fuse. Archived from the original on June 20, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Mark McGrath, Sugar Ray Sign With APA". Variety. June 4, 2019.
  31. ↑ Mims, Taylor (June 4, 2019). "Mark McGrath and Sugar Ray Sign With APA". Billboard.
  32. ↑ Cirisano, Tatiana (May 30, 2019). "Sugar Ray Signs to BMG For First New Album In a Decade". Billboard.
  33. ↑ McCammon, Sarah; Bowman, Emma (July 28, 2019). "Sugar Ray's Mark McGrath Just Wants To Have Fun". NPR.
  34. ↑ Shaffer, Claire (May 30, 2019). "Sugar Ray Announce First Studio Album in 10 Years". Rolling Stone.
  35. ↑ Graff, Gary (June 6, 2019). "Sugar Ray Shares 'Little Yachty' Cover Art & Track List: Exclusive". Billboard.
  36. ↑ "Sugar Ray to Perform Special Halftime Show at Home Opener". Arizona Cardinals. September 9, 2025.
  37. 1 2 Lopez, Michael (October 26, 2010). "Top 10 Sell-Out Songs: You Can Actually Hear Artistic Integrity Disintergrate". Phoenix New Times.
  38. ↑ McGill, Dunstan (April 13, 2012). "The Charming Humility of Sugar Ray". The Tangential.
  39. ↑ Jensen, K. Thor (April 27, 2011). "Sugar Ray – Lemonade And Brownies – Pornographic Album Covers". UGO Networks.
  40. 1 2 3 Jenkins, Craig (November 18, 2016). "Bruno Mars's 24K Magic Is a Fun Trip Back to Early '90s R&B, and You'll Probably Hear It at Weddings Forever". Vulture.
  41. ↑ Hyden, Steven (October 1, 2013). "Indie Rock's Tuneful Death Rattle". Grantland.
  42. ↑ Barilla, Lucille (July 3, 2026). "Mark McGrath Almost Quit Sugar Ray Over The Song That Defined Summer 1997". Yahoo Entertainment. Parade.
  43. ↑ Carter, Brooke (February 6, 2016). "What Happened to Sugar Ray – 2017 Update". Gazette Review. From [Floored], their success as an alternative metal band only went up...
  44. ↑ Boehm, Mike (June 28, 1997). "Sugar Ray, 'Floored,' Lava/Atlantic". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  45. ↑ Boehm, Mike (June 2, 1995). "Album Review: Sugar Ray—Witless Juvenilia With a Beat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  46. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Floored – Sugar Ray – Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  47. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Sugar Ray - Sugar Ray Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic.
  48. ↑ Schulte, Stephanie (April 5, 2016). "SPA: Sugar Ray brings '90s nostalgia to Palm Springs with free show". The Press-Enterprise. Archived from the original on November 1, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  49. ↑ Farber, Jim (January 17, 1999). "A Sugar Ray Knockout Punksters Score on 14:59 with a Melodic New Combination". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 8, 2026.
  50. ↑ Wenzel, Nick (September 23, 2014). "Sugar Ray Serenades Students, Alumni". The Emory Wheel.
  51. ↑ Newman, Melinda (May 29, 1999). "Warren Big ASCAP Winner". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 8. Retrieved May 5, 2026 – via Google Books.
  52. ↑ "BMI's Pop Awards 2001 Song List". Bmi.com. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  53. ↑ "Pop Awards Winners List". Broadcast Music, Inc. May 14, 2002. Archived from the original on December 21, 2025.
  54. ↑ "Rock on the Net: Billboard Year-End Chart-Toppers: 1999". Rockonthenet.com.
  55. ↑ "Pop". Billboard. October 16, 1999. p. 94 – via Google Books.
  56. ↑ "Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Nominees Announced". PRNewswire. December 17, 1997. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015.
  57. ↑ "Winter Music Conference 2012 - WMC 2012". Wintermusicconference.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Stream Live News, Sports, and Entertainment". Archived from the original on August 9, 2001.
  59. ↑ "Surf's up!". Seventeen. Vol. 60, no. 7. July 2001. pp. 131–132. ProQuest 1870597993.
  60. ↑ "Breaking News - FOX Announces Nominees for "The 2005 Teen Choice Awards"". Thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
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