Big Sugar explodes live on disc

by Stephen Cooke

FOR BIG SUGAR, whose reputation is built on the intense power of its live shows centred around the forceful bravado of guitarist frontman Gordie Johnson and anchored by the rhythm section’s fathoms-deep groove, releasing a concert album is a pretty big deal.

But at the same time, Johnson and his bandmates had to pretend like it was business as usual when they stepped out onto the stage of Winnipeg’s Burton Cummings Theatre just over a year ago, in order to preserve the true Big Sugar experience on the Eliminate Ya! Live! CD/DVD two-disc set. “We just had a regular night, we took all the same amounts of chances,” says Johnson, heading to Halifax for a Big Sugar show with guests the Balconies on Friday night at Olympic Hall.

“I think if you know you’re being recorded or filmed, you might play it a little safe. Once you’re aware it’s being recorded for all time, it makes people more cautious.

“So we were all our usual, carefree, adventurous selves that night.”

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Music preview: Gordie Johnson keeps his promise to play Irene’s pub
BY LYNN SAXBERG

The Storm is already brewing in anticipation for Big Sugar’s return to Thunder Bay

by Rachel Reed

THUNDER BAY Entertainment – This Sunday November 11th marks the day of our National holiday Remembrance Day but also marks the return of legendary live performers Big Sugar to Thunder Bay.

Netnewsledger’s Raechel Reed in a telephone interview with Gordie Johnson had a chance to talk to him about the Tour.

The Eliminate Ya Tour is a 2 disc CD/DVD filmed live in front of a sold out crowd of screaming fans at The Burton Cummings Theatre in Winnipeg. Having remixed the audio and editing the DVD Johnson said “we always set a high standard in every show we do. Putting everything together other than 2 songs that didn’t get recorded and just a few technical issues here and there I’m really pleased with it and the DVD looks fantastic”.

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Mix of Six: Big Sugar, lounging around and a time to remember

by Meghan Duffy

Don’t know what to do this weekend (aside from shoveling snow?) Mix of Six columnist Meghan Duffy’s got ya covered, Winnipeg!

Who Wants Some Sugar? As in Big Sugar! Saturday the Canadian blues rock band will be hitting the stage at the Burton Cummings Theatre right after their warm up act – The Balconies. (They’re a rock band with a lead female vocalist who, in a way, reminds me of Heart. They have a great sound, cool vibe, and great stage presence – definitely worth the $46/ticket.) If there is one thing I have noticed over the years about Big Sugar, it’s the fact that their look is always changing. Who knows, Gordie Johnson could be in some cowboy get up, be rockin’ the greasy slicked-back hair look, or even making a shout out to the ‘60s hippie look. Guess you’ll have to go to find out…

Read more online at Metro News

Cool Convo with Big Sugar’s Gordie Johnson

by Frank McGwire

Listen to Frank’s interview with Gordie Johnson on KX96.

Big Sugar always adds spice to the mix
BY STUART DERDEYN, POSTMEDIA NEWS

On Dec. 31, 2003, Big Sugar decided the sound wasn’t sweet anymore.

Lead singer/guitarist Gordie Johnson had moved down to Dripping Springs, Texas, leaving the signature Hugo Boss suits and finely groomed look behind for a cowboy metal makeover. He began working on the power trio concept that became Grady as well as producing albums by The Trews, Wide Mouth Mason and others. Band members went on to various projects and it looked like a chapter in Canadian music history had ended.

Everything changed thanks to The Trews.

“I got up to play with them at the Calgary Stampede a couple of years ago thinking I was playing some of the songs we’d written together and wound up doing six Big Sugar tunes they’d learned inside out, and man, it was really fun and the crowd went mental,” said Johnson.

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AUDIO: Big Sugar LIVE In Studio at ROCK 97.9