MARK MCGRATH of SUGAR RAY

Since their 1995 “LEMONADE AND BROWNIES” debut, Sugar Ray became stuck in a biennial cycle of touring and recording, touring and recording.  1997’s RIAA double platinum-certified sophomore effort, “FLOORED,” and its smash follow-up, 1999’s triple platinum “14:59” were trailed by 2001’s self-titled collection and 2003’s “IN THE PURSUIT OF LEISURE”  as well as 2008's "MUSIC FOR COUGARS" and "THE BEST OF SUGAR RAY."  
The band

Since their 1986 inception as The Shrinky Dinks, McGrath took the time to explore new creative terrain – staying in the spotlight as co-host of the nationally syndicated entertainment news program, Extra as well as hosting Don't Forget the Lyrics, while guitarist Rodney Sheppard teaches music to neighborhood kids.  Perhaps more importantly, Sheppard, started a family, in their hometown of Newport Beach.

“It was just the natural course to sort of lay back for a while,” Sheppard says, “We had a good run up to that time and we’d gotten to the point where we welcomed a break.  It just ended up being a bit longer than we thought.”  Sugar Ray was in fact quite active during their hiatus, busting out the hits at private corporate events, county fairs, and countless summer festivals. 

                   


“I’ll be self-deprecating about myself and about the band,” he says, “but we wrote some fucking amazing songs.  We wrote songs that people fell in love to, that people got married to, that people had sex to for the first time.  The songs became bigger than the band.  They’re the world’s property now and we need to be humbled by that.”

Sugar Ray continues delivering the hits live and with the 2012 Summerland tour which combined five great bands from the 90's and their top 10 hits, a big hit.  Sugar Ray has a robust schedule of live dates for 2012 and look forward to seeing everyone out on the road.  “This is my life’s work,” he notes.  “People say, ‘You’re still in the band?’  This is what I do!  I’m gonna be in Sugar Ray till I die!  I’ve been lucky enough to fit a uniform, I’m gonna wear it till the wheels fall off!” http://www.sugarray.com/