sugarcult August 26, 2002 penny aracde Rochester, NY

by Renee clark

Fans of all ages flocked to the Penny Arcade on the night of August 26th for one of 94.1 the zone's Freeloader show featuring Sugarcult.

Sugarcult is made up of four guys from Santa Barbara California, including lead vocalist/guitar player Tim Pagnotta, Guitar player Marko 72, Bassist/vocalist Airin and drummer/vocalist Ben Davis.  Sugarcult have been all over America and just wrapped up a three-week jaunt with Less than Jake then flew over here to the east coast to do a few shows before they head back to the west coast to do shows in Colorado and California.   Their 2001 album release Start Static has spawned hit singles such as “Stuck in America,” “Bouncing off the Walls,” and their latest single “Pretty Girl.” 

Now getting back to the show.  After opening band Third Estate finished their set they left their equipment on the stage for Sugarcult to borrow.  As the guys were tuning their instruments they took time out to pose for pictures and sign dollar bills, t-shirts and certain obvious parts of a girl’s anatomy.  They then pressed on setting up, as it was getting closer to the time for them to perform. 

As one went closer to the stage the temperature grew higher and the crowd grew younger but the energy remained the same no matter where you stood.  The lights dimmed and the guys all ran on stage and started off their set with the first track of start static called “You’re the One.”  They then went on to perform “Hate Every Beautiful Day,” Lost in you,” and “How Does it Feel.”  Tim had to stop periodically in-between songs to wipe off sweat because of the intense heat that was generating in the little club.  He even stopped to order a Gin and Tonic and to dedicate the song “Daddy’s Little Defect” to a 16-year-old girl who was reaching out and groping him during the show.  Sugarcult put on a astonishing show and couldn’t have ended their set any better, than with opening band Third Estate joining them on the stage for a cover of the Ramones “I Wanna be Sedated.”

After their performance Tim, Marko, Airin and Ben all went to the floor and took time to sign more autographs and pose for more pictures with their fans.  Check out www.sugarcult.com for more tour dates and information on their new DVD, which is due to hit stores in October.