Review by KAREN MURPHY

“We’ll probably kick start the tour with a shot of tequila,” says Todd Honey, lead guitarist for SUGAR ARMY. Currently working on developing its second album, the band has decided to take a few weeks off to prepare and perform their In Control Tour in July. “We rehearse about three or four times a week,” Honey says, “but it takes a couple to get ready. We’ll probably put our new album on hold [for that reason].”

A while since the group last last played, Sugar Army is really looking forward to playing its own set list after spending a lot of time playing sessionals on tour with other bands. “Playing sessionals,” Honey explains, “are different from playing your own shows, because people at sessionals don’t generally know all of your songs, so you want to play songs that most people would like, you can’t really play what you want. But when you’re doing your own shows you can play songs that the fans would like. They know your music and like it, otherwise they wouldn’t be paying to see you.”

Excitement is already mounting since ticket sales opened on the 14th of April. Previously touring with KARNIVOOL, GYROSCOPE, and THE BIG DAY OUT, there should be no doubt that Sugar Army has the experience to organise a heart-stopping show. Touring last with The Big Day Out, the band hasn’t done a solo tour since the release of their first album ‘The Parallels Amongst Ourselves’ in early 2009. But with that already behind them, the boys are working hard on their second album, sacrificing some of their live shows in the process. “It will sound a bit indie,” Honey says of the album, “but with some dark alternative rock. We’ve got about 12 songs at the moment, we haven’t finished them all, they’re kind of just like, big skeletons. We’ve definitely gone back towards an EP kind of sound, something a bit more brassy.”

The band still has a lot of studio hours ahead before the second album is complete, but that doesn’t mean the journey so far hasn’t been exciting. “I really enjoy jamming,” Honey says of the writing process, “jamming and coming up with ideas,” which is probably why he is looking forward to the band’s upcoming tour. After spending weeks recording demos the guys can’t wait to brace the stage again.

“I’m really looking forward to playing live again,” Honey says, “we’ve spent a lot of time demoing songs.” Highlighting some of the latest up and coming bands in Perth including BOOM! BAP! POW! and YOUNG REVELRY, the shows are not going to disappoint anyone when it comes to talent. “Some of the bands were just younger friends,” Honey says, “some of them I haven’t even met yet, but I’ve heard their stuff, they’re all just really good. We’ve put in a lot of effort to make these shows quite fun and energetic for the audience, fans can definitely expect a couple of new songs.”

If you want to see the boys on tour catch them at one these four hot spots:

Thursday 1st July – Indi Bar, Scarborough.

Friday 2nd July – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury.

Saturday 3rd July – Amplifier Bar, Perth – BUY TIX

Sunday 4th July – Mojo’s, Fremantle.

Make sure you buy your tickets soon from www.heatseaker.com.au or Planet Video because these shows are bound to sell out fast!

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