Sugar Baby Loves Talk New Single, Future Plans And More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Photo Credit: Supplied By Lisa Davies Promotions
Sugar Baby Loves are two founder members of the 70’s Glam Rock band The Rubettes, namely Mick Clarke (Bass and vocals) and John Richardson (drums and vocals). They are joined by Mark Wright (guitar and vocals) and Steve Etherington (keys and vocals). Their new single ‘Born To Do It’ and we wanted to talk to the band and they kindly obliged:
Who is in Sugar Baby Loves, what do they play and how did you meet?
a. John Richardson – Drums & vocals
b. Mick Clarke – Bass & vocals
c. Mark Wright – Guitar & vocals
d. Steve Etherington – Keys & vocals
John & Mick met in 1973 when they were in a pub band together with Paul Brewer (became Paul DaVinci, who sang lead vocals on Sugar Baby Love). This was the 1st incarnation of who would be The Rubettes. Cut forward to the early 2000’s and Seve Etherington was a producer who worked on some of the Rubettes tracks around that time, they got on so well that he and ended up as a full-time member of the Rubettes on keyboards and second guitar. A word-of-mouth recommendation brought in Mark who was a session musician and was asked to join in Oct 2021 as their lead singer & guitarist.
When did you begin songwriting and recording music?
John began writing songs in the early 1960’s with Alan Williams in a duo called Baskin & Copperfield.
Mick began writing in the mid 1960’s while he was in the Tremolos and the Symbols.
Your new single ‘Born To Do It’ is out now. What is the story/inspiration behind the song?
We decided to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Rubettes. It’s a celebration of what they were then and what we are now.
Where did you record the track and who produced it?
Recorded in separate studio locations between Germany and UK
Due to the distance between us we separately recorded our own parts and emailed them to our producer (Mike Voss) in Germany, who also co-wrote the song. With modern techniques this is how many recordings are facilitated these days.
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?
Mick loves his 1969 Sunburst Std Fender Precision Bass.
Mark loves his Sunburst Std American Telecaster & custom-built valve Amp called the ‘Intruder’ which was designed and built for him by Cliff Brown of 633 Engineering.
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
From Mick & John – Dagenham – Easy-going working-class suburb.
Do you have any plans for live shows in Europe/UK in 2024?
We’ve started again as a new band from scratch since last year. So we do have a few European dates but due to the court case where we lost the name, we’re in the process of getting known again by releasing new records.
You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?
John has written a musical film which is looking for a producer. Its called Jouney into the land of Drumfullness. Its about a 1950’s child abandoned in a cardboard box and from that difficult situation, how he deals with the challenges of growing up without parents. To add to his problems he’s a mixed race 1950’s child. Through music and drumming he finds his way.
Which of your tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?
a. Honey Love
b. Pass – were never angry
c. Born To Do It
Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?
a. John – Don McClean, Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Otis Reading, Little Richard, The Beatles
– Recommends ‘Perfect’ by Ed Sheeran, They Must Be Thieves, The Darkness and Polish guitarist extraordinaire Marcin.
b. Mick – much the same as John with addition of Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, The 4 Seasons & Stevie Wonder.
– Recommends Vince Gill.
c. Mark – Loves all the afore mentioned but would add The Eagles, Prince, The Eurythmics, Paul Simon, Bon Jovi
– Recommends Tommy Emmanuel
d. Steve ???
How do you look after your voices?
Not very well..x But plenty of water before and during a show. If we listen to Steve we’d all warm up before every gig. But we don’t always listen…
Do you have any further music releases planned for 2024?
As a band we hope so – we do have more material and are in the process of working on our album “Heartbreak Avenue”. We hope it will be ready with maybe another single to go with it.
What makes The Sugar Baby Loves happy and what makes you unhappy?
Happy – Seeing our records getting played and making our fans proud – we love the Praise.
Unhappy – Pot Holes, Traffic Jams & Flight Delays
Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Lisa Davies Promotions
Sugar Baby Loves new single ‘Born To Do It’ is out now. Stream/Download here: https://social.tunecore.com/linkShare?linkid=DMhRtzXKZYu_s9z3r5WKlA
For more information visit their official website here: https://sugarbabyloves.com/
