The Sugarcubes (Icelandic: Sykurmolarnir) were an Icelandic alternative rock band

from Reykjavík formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1992. For most of their career, the
band consisted of Björk Guðmundsdóttir (vocals, keyboards), Einar Örn Benediktsson
(vocals, trumpet), Þór Eldon (guitar), Bragi Ólafsson (bass), Margrét "Magga"
Örnólfsdóttir (keyboards) and Sigtryggur Baldursson (drums).

The Sugarcubes' debut album, Life's Too Good (1988), was an unexpected
international success, and produced their signature song "Birthday". It is credited
as the first Icelandic album to have a worldwide impact and influenced Icelandic
popular music. Their follow-up album, Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!, was released
1989 to mixed reviews. Their third and final album, Stick Around for Joy, released
in February 1992, was better received and produced the successful singles "Hit" and
"Leash Called Love". Rolling Stone referred to them as "the biggest rock band to
emerge from Iceland."[1] Björk would later become an internationally successful
solo musician and the bestselling Icelandic musician of all time.

Contents
1 History
1.1 1977–86: Formation and early years
1.2 1987–88: Life's Too Good
1.3 1989–90: Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!
1.4 1990–92: Stick Around for Joy and breakup
1.5 2006: Reunion
2 Style
3 Members
4 Discography
4.1 Studio albums
4.2 Compilations and remixes
4.3 Singles
4.4 Vinyl and CD boxes
4.5 Collaborations and featuring
4.6 Other releases
5 Videography
5.1 Video albums
5.2 Music videos
6 References
7 External links
History
1977–86: Formation and early years
The members of the Sugarcubes had formerly been in a variety of Icelandic bands.
Björk Guðmundsdóttir had the longest career out of any of the members; she had
recorded an album when she was 11. In her late teens, she joined the Icelandic
post-punk band Tappi Tíkarrass, who released two albums before splitting in 1983.
Drummer Sigtryggur "Siggi" Baldursson was a member of Þeyr, while Einar Örn
Benediktsson and Bragi Ólafsson formed a punk band called Purrkur Pillnikk. By
1984, Björk, Einar Örn and Siggi had formed the group Kukl with keyboardist Einar
Melax, and released two albums on the independent British record label Crass
Records.

The Sugarcubes formed on 8 June 1986 with Björk on vocals, Björk's then-husband Þór
(Thor) Eldon on guitar and Bragi Ólafsson on bass. On the same day, Björk gave
birth to her and Þór Eldon's son, Sindri Eldon.[2] The band's name was assumed by
its fans to be an LSD usage reference.[3]

1987–88: Life's Too Good

In late 1987, the band signed to One Little Indian in the UK and to Elektra Records
in the US. They released their debut album, Life's Too Good, in 1988 to critical
acclaim in both the UK and the US. They first came to notice in the UK when BBC
radio DJ John Peel played "Birthday", which was later voted by his listeners as #1
in the 1987 Festive Fifty, and #23 in the All Time Chart.[4] Their music has been
described as avant-pop,[5][6] and was characterized by a psychedelic post-punk
sound sometimes reminiscent of the B-52's and Talking Heads, whimsical yet
heartfelt lyrics, and the imploring, girlish voice of Björk, accompanied by Einar
Örn's erratic vocal performances. In the last quarter of 1988, The Sugarcubes
toured North America to positive reception.[7] In September, the band played at The
Ritz in New York, a concert attended by David Bowie and Iggy Pop.[7] On 15 October
the band appeared on Saturday Night Live with a performance of their songs
"Birthday" and "Motorcrash".[8]

1989–90: Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!

Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!, the band's second album, was released in September
1989. The greater vocal contribution by Einar Örn on the record was criticized in
many of the record's reviews, which were noticeably weaker than those for Life's
Too Good.[9][7] Not all critics agreed that it was worse than their debut album,
though. Robert Christgau rated it a B+, higher than the B- he gave Life's Too Good.
The singles "Regina" and "Planet" topped the UK indie charts but fared poorly in
the mainstream charts outside of Iceland. After the release of Here Today, Tomorrow
Next Week!, the band embarked on a lengthy international tour. At the end of the
tour, they started to ponder splitting up and went on a hiatus.

1990–92: Stick Around for Joy and breakup

At the conclusion of the tour in late 1990, the band members pursued their own
interests.[7][9] Stick Around for Joy, their third and final album, was released in
February 1992. It featured guest guitarist John McGeoch (formerly of Magazine and
Siouxsie and the Banshees) on the opening track, "Gold". The album received
noticeably better reviews than Here Today, Tomorrow Next Week!, and spawned the
band's first big hit single, the aptly titled "Hit". Further singles "Walkabout"
and "Vitamin" failed to make any chart impact. The Sugarcubes opened for U2 during
the US leg of their Zoo TV Tour in October and November 1992, playing to a total of
700,000 people.[7]

A remix album, It's-It, was released in October 1992 along with a re-release of
"Birthday" which was backed by numerous remixes of the song. One single that was
released from the compilation, the Tony Humphries remix of "Leash Called Love",
reached number one on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs Chart in 1992.[10]

The Sugarcubes disbanded in late December 1992. The members remain involved in the
management of record label Smekkleysa (Bad Taste Ltd). Björk embarked on a solo
career, coming to prominence with albums such as Debut (1993), Post (1995), and
Homogenic (1997).

2006: Reunion
On 17 November 2006 the band had a one-off reunion concert at Laugardalshöll sport
arena in Reykjavík, Iceland, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut
single, "Birthday", with all profits going to the non-profit Smekkleysa SM to
promote Icelandic music.[11] They were supported by fellow Icelandic groups múm and
Rass. Despite this reunion, the group has expressed that it has no intention to
play future shows or record new material.