1) What got you involved in music in the first place? Did you always want to be in a rock band?

Hell yeah!  I've always been infatuated with rock n roll.  When I was little I thought Rick Nielsen from Cheap Trick; Angus Young from AC/DC; and the guys in Kiss were like cool superheroes, as I grew up I realized they were also great players and songwriters; at first you want to be a rockstar; then you want to be a musician, by being in a band you get to be both; it's fun and fulfilling at the same time.

1a) Did you go to right into your music career or did you go to college?

I started my first band before we could even play our instruments; early on it's more of a gang-mentality way of hangin out with your pals from school or your neighborhood.  That's where it starts.  You don't really "go into" music like other careers, you just keep doing it and eventually, if you work hard and get lucky, it can become your "career".  I went to college as well, but I still had a band and recorded and played shows as always.

2) How did you guys all get together?

It's a long story go to www.sugarcult.com, I met the band when they were a trio they were opening for my old band and we hit it off.  Eventually, I switched instruments (from bass to guitar) so I could join Sugarcult.

3) What do you like/hate most about touring?

I love meeting new people, travelling, and playing live.  I'm not a huge fan of long drives, bad weather, and I fucking hate all the junk food you end up eating!

4) I know you guys have been on the road a while...How do you cope with being on the road for so long?  What keeps you sane?

The show each night is the carrot you chase all day long, that gets you through the long hours of driving, getting lost on unfamiliar roads, etc.  Playing live is a high that is worth anything to achieve.  We also read a lot, take pictures of cool things, make friends with other bands we tour with, and occasionally drink some alcohol!

5) What sets you apart from other up and coming bands?

Our songs, our sound, our history and how we look; other than that we are just another band out there working as hard as possible to bring our music out of the garage and into as many people's stereos as possible.

6) What are your influences? (it can be at a music level or personal)

Bands that work hard and defy categorization.  Can you simply call the Beastie Boys a "rap group"?  No. Can you simply call Madonna a "pop singer"? No. Can you simply call Sugarcult a "punk group"? No. Our sound is influenced a lot by music from the late 70's (Elvis Costello, the Clash, the Ramones, Cheap Trick, etc) and modern rock (Foo Fighters, Green Day, Superdrag, etc).  We are our own thing.

7) How do you get your ideas to write your songs?

You just pick stuff up through daily life and add it to a stockpile of ideas you've developed over the years through experiences, exposure to culture, art, movies, records, books, etc.  That becomes the clay with which you sculpt songs out of.

8) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully happy wherever I am, cause life's too short to waste time being unhappy.

9) What's the craziest thing a fan has done for you?

We've had fans drive across the country to see us for one show; fly across the country; make us really cool presents; a girl in Northern California had a "I love Marko 72....Sugarcult" license plate frame made and put on her car!!!!  A girl in St. Louis had me draw a picture on her back and got it tattooed on!  Fans rule!

10 )I know its hard to choose but what is your favorite song on the latest album?

The hidden 12th track "Underwear", it shows that we have a whole other side to us that may or may not come out more in future recordings.

11) Has the success of this album increased the demand for your previous recordings?

Yeah, we just released a limited edition (only 2000 copies) collection of our old songs called "Wrap Me up in Plastic", they are almost sold out already.

12) How long did it take you to record/write your latest album?

About 2 months to record; the writing was done over a period of 2 years as a local Santa Barbara, Ca club band before we started touring.

13 )How supportive have your family/friends been of your success?

They all miss us, but they are happy that we are doing what we love and finding some success with it all.  I love it when my mom or my sister or one of my good friends comes to a show, so they can relate to what I get to experience almost every night.

14) What made you choose the Ultimatum label?

Ultimatum is the perfect label for us; they need us as much as we need them so it's a balanced relationship.  They're big enough to support us as we grow, yet independent and small enough so that we don't get lost in the shuffle like a lot of bands at huge major labels, where if you're not as big as Korn and Mariah Carey you get tossed out in the dumpster.

 15) Do you have any advice for other bands who are looking for labels??

Think globally act locally. Do as much as you can on your own, and remember that "getting signed" isn't the holy grail, it doesn't mean you've "made it". No one desearvs success, it must be earned by tireless hard work, dedication passion, and  above all good songs, so put down your Guitar Magazine, pick up your guitar and go listen to the Ramones and the Beatles, book some shows, support your local scene and have fun!

Cheers                                                                                                                                                          Marko 72/sugarcult guitar

~ Renee