The Sugargliders
| The Sugargliders | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Melbourne, Australia |
| Genres | Indie pop, Indie rock |
| Years active | 1989–1994 |
| Labels |
Summershine Sarah Records |
| Associated acts | The Steinbecks |
| Past members |
Josh Meadows Joel Meadows |
The Sugargliders were an indie pop band from Melbourne, Australia, comprising brothers Josh and Joel Meadows and a changing lineup of other players. Between February 1989 and June 1994 they played more than 90 live shows in Australia and the UK and released ten singles and one compilation album. After disbanding The Sugargliders the Meadows brothers re-emerged in The Steinbecks.
Josh Meadows was 19 years old and his brother Joel was 16 when they first started playing gigs in Melbourne pubs under the name The Sugargliders. The brothers were fans of Billy Bragg, The Housemartins, The Smiths, Aztec Camera, Lloyd Cole and Orange Juice, and these influences were evident in their guitar-based pop. Their early songs featured simple arrangements, with only sparse drum or drum machine backing and lyrics that dealt with political subjects as often as they did with unrequited love.
The Sugargliders got their start playing support for Melbourne bands Captain Cocoa, Ripe and the Fish John West Reject. They developed a devoted following through regular live performances, a constantly evolving set of original material and the support of Melbourne independent radio stations and street press. The band's sound developed with the addition of Marc Fulker on drums (in 1991–1992) and Robert Cooper on bass (1992–1994).
The band became known for its unique blend of sparse, melodic pop and lyrics that were described as "disarmingly naïve" and "like eavesdropping on another's secrets". Steve L Burt wrote that "The last person to comment so incisively, and with such a sense of having been hurt, on boy-girl stuff may have been the early Elvis Costello; but where he always blamed his ex-girlfriends, the Sugargliders always blame themselves".
They released three singles for hip Melbourne label Summershine Records in 1990 and 1991 and one for UK's Marineville before finding a home at legendary Bristol pop stable Sarah Records in 1992.
The Sugargliders toured England in late 1992, playing shows with Sarah Records label mates Boyracer, Heavenly, Blueboy, Brighter and others. While in London they recorded their seventh and most well-known single "Ahprahran", a melancholy lament about inner Melbourne suburb Prahran, with producer Ian Catt.
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