Charlotte, NC surely has something to call their own in SUGAR GLYDER – a dynamic blend of pop, ambience, and grit. Some instant question marks might cross one’s mind, the first being – WHAT IS A SUGAR GLYDER? The answer: a primarily nocturnal marsupial with a pungent odor and bizarre noise habits; somewhat fitting for a rock band touring the country in a van.
The real-life human Sugar Glyder – Daniel Howie, Chris Rigo, Robby Hartis and Bobby Mathews – share this life-advantage in their charismatic debut album The Eyes: They See (TETS), produced by none other than Steven Haigler (The Pixies, Brand New, As Tall As Lions).
Bits and pieces of The Killers and Incubus shine through Howie’s vocals, while the guitar work of Chris Rigo brings forth the pop element of acts like Jukebox the Ghost and Passion Pit. The Eyes: They See, released March 5th, is Sugar Glyder’s first record since their self-produced debut EP Lovers at Lightspeed, which received an unprecedented amount of acclaim after its 2011 release.
Sugar Glyder balances the elements. Too much of anything is a bad thing, and it seems that the 4-piece indie/pop outfit has put together a winning formula, mixing the absolute best parts of just about everything. We asked the guys of Sugar Glyder a few questions after their show at The Masquerade this past Sunday, March 31st. Here’s what they had to say:
What is the strangest thing a fan has done for you at a show?
“We had a fan make us penis-shaped pancakes… That’s pretty strange.”
What is the funniest moment you have had as a band so far?
“In Atlanta… We think. We lost Bobby for the night and then found him in the morning…that is all.”
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
“A bit of stretching and vocal warm ups but that’s about it.”
How do you connect with a crowd?
“We try to put on the best show we can. We try to put as much energy into what we do. A little on stage banter goes a long way too.”
How did you come up with your band name?
“We wanted a band name that sounded good but wasn’t too long. We all like animals and a sugar glider is kind of like a flying squirrel but its a marsupial. They stay up all night, smell bad and make strange noises… We have a little bit in common with those things.”
What is the best way [for you as a band] to write music?
“We write music together as a collaborative effort. We usually bring little “nuggets” of ideas for songs and then work on them together. Sometimes it’s just a bass line, sometimes it’s a little guitar riff and other times it’s a bit more worked out. We always finish things together though.”
Make sure check out Sugar Glyder on Twitter and Facebook! For updates and videos on the band, visit their YouTube channel!
