Those of a certain vintage remember the Toronto band Big Sugar. A sonic assault heavy on blues-rock riffs and fronted by the über-cool Gordie Johnson. He of the Hugo Boss-ad looks, hard rockin’ swagger, and a band so loud they could make ears ring for days. Now, it seems Canadian music fans are not the only ones who loved Johnson and his band, especially its breakthrough album Five Hundred Pounds. An American fellow, pretty good guitar player in his own right, by the name of Jack White, is a huge fan.
White, you may recall, is best-known for some other pretty big bands like the White Stripes, Dead Weather, and the Raconteurs. White is also the founder of Third Man Records, through which he is reissuing that classic Big Sugar album.
White credits the album as an early inspiration that influenced his own songwriting and guitar playing style.
“I don’t usually do this but this record means a lot to me, especially when I was a teenager, it’s called Five Hundred Pounds by this band Big Sugar,” says White, in a video promoting the release. “I think this is the best blues-based record to ever come out of Canada.”
White goes on to say that when he got the artwork back it said the original release of the album was 1995.
“I could have sworn I had this record in high school in ’93 so I had to do some memory jogging,” he says. “(And I remembered) I bought the record at their show in Pontiac in 93, and that’s where I got it. I love this record so much.”
The reissue, available right now on black vinyl, marks a significant moment in the band’s history and is already garnering widespread acclaim, leading to a second pressing due to popular demand as well as a local tour by the band in March.
Originally released in the U.S. in 1995, Five Hundred Pounds was not a huge hit for Big Sugar right out of the gate, but has stood the test of time. Produced by Gordie Johnson, the album showcased the band’s exceptional ability to blend blues, rock, and reggae seamlessly.
Tracks like “All Over Now,” “Still Waitin’,” and “Ride Like Hell” exemplify the album’s dynamic range, spanning heartfelt ballads to energetic, blues-infused rock anthems.
To celebrate the occasion, Big Sugar is presenting a special two-set theatrical presentation spanning the band’s illustrious career.
“The theatre setting gives us the opportunity to explore a much wider range of styles while still presenting a Big Sugar rock and roll show!,” says Johnson, highlighting the band’s versatility and enduring appeal.
For more information go to the band’s website here.