Sugarcandy Mountain: the forerunners of Lambada rock.

In the bowels of a building on Abbott Street, Vancouver's newest band - Sugarcandy Mountain - practices to become, "the biggest, fucking band in the world." So, with earplugs firmly in place, I had the unique chance to listen to a live performance of Sugarcandy Mountain.

With Micheal DeBedoya, John Schubert and Adam Popowitz on guitars, and ex-Sing Sing Dead Man member Flavio Monopoli on drums, Sugarcandy Mountain combines a purely ‘60s sound with a strong Latin beat. "Ballads are fine," explained Simon Fraser student Flavio, "but we like to make people dance." "We're definitely the forerunners of "lambada" rock," added Micheal. Certainly Keep It, Blast and Shining are all great dance songs, songs that vibrated the walls and drowned out the sounds of other bands playing in nearby rooms. But the group also explores the intense, emotional side to human behavior with the haunting ballad Hands in the Dark.

Sugarcandy Mountain, although banding together in the spring of 1994, did not actually start recording and performing until the early fall of the same year. "But once we started performing, everything went uphill from there." said Flavio, pleased with the amount attention the band has received from the Vancouver music scene. "We've released a tape, and we're in touch with a director to create a music video. The response is great." Staring at his cold pizza John remarked sarcastically, "Yeah, we're more popular than Jesus!"

Along with John Lennon, The Beatles, Jim Morrison and Salsa comprise only a few of the MSG-pizza-fueled band's musical influences. The group various musical influences result in a purely acoustic sound that flows well with Michael's smooth, liquid voice. The driving beat of the band's music is reinforced by a co-operative effort to write songs. "It is important that everyone contributes in the (song-writing) process," said Flavio. "It brings the band together musically."

Between school and music, Sugarcandy Mountain practices together often in order to develop and refine their strong, ‘60s style groove. "It prepares us for the 'glamorous' world of rock 'n roll." quipped John, rolling his eyes as he stared about the 'dungeon' room the band practices in. But with their keen sense of humour and great music, Sugarcandy Mountain will continue to play and perform until they achieve even greater success. - Monique Harvey - The Peak, 10 March 1995.