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Hello Friends.... 2008 was a dynamic year. Our country finally stood up and said, enough is enough to the biz-as-usual political scene; fires raged in our home state of California, reminding many of the temporary nature of “things” and the eternal value of life; Sugarcult finally toured Australia and among many other more significant milestones: "Chinese Democracy" even came out (by the way, it’s actually not that rad). But there’s always hope for another chance at rock n roll redemption!…

For now it’s time to stuff our smiley faces with comfort food and scurry off into the sentimental and cozy cocoon of whatever holiday traditions fit your vibe, so as to emerge rejuvenated into a new improved year like a post-apocalyptic butterfly ready for action!

What about Sugarcult? Aside from Australia and various one-off shows, the four of us have spent the better part of 2008 indulging individual projects. I believe this will only make us stronger when we do return; so, hopefully there will be some new Sugarcult music coming down the pike in 2009. So what have we been up to, you ask? Well, here’s a brief run down and have fun seeking it all out online too, if you’re interested in learning more: -Tim: Producing songs for some great up-and-coming bands (my personal faves are: Them Terribles, and Vogue In The Movement) -Airin: making a record with Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, an experimental band that also features enigmatic IMA Robot singer Alex Ebert. Airin also just returned from a UK tour filling in on bass for the band Oh No Not Stereo. -Kenny: started his own custom drum company, LTD Drums, and put out an amazing record with his country-rock band Good Man Down. -Me (Marko): put out a record & toured Japan and Texas with side-band The Playing Favorites; doing some writing and having a blast doing my DJ gigs (possible DJ tour in works for 2009…stay tuned!)

As I type this, I’m getting emails from our Japanese record label to approve final artwork changes for Sugarcult "Rewind 2001-2008 CD + Live in Japan DVD". Some might say a “best of +rarities” collection, released in Japan no less, is a sign that a band has jumped the shark, but we thought it best to get our retrospect on right about now; after 10 full years of being Sugarcult. So where do we go now anyway? Rock n roll is cyclical by nature; always rising and falling, following and leading. Who knows what the future will bring. It’s complicated. Inspiration strikes like lightning. We could force ourselves to conjure something up for the sake of selling some all-over-print hoodies, but that would only disrespect the legacy that we’ve worked hard to build and maintain. In doing this collection, it’s given us an excuse to look back on our past, and I have to say: We feel proud of our body of work so far and the fact that through it all, our aim has stayed true! Ultimately, it all comes down to the fans. Not to sound like a grandiose award acceptance speech, but we definitely want to acknowledge that NONE OF THIS would have been possible without YOU!

Your record collection is the soundtrack to your life. I strongly encourage you to take a long drive some time or, even better, spend an evening alone, dim the lights, put your headphones on and give a listen to our records: Start Static, Palm Trees & Power Lines, and Lights Out and see where they take you. Chances are some old memories will be rekindled and you might hear some things in a different way. Music speaks to you differently as you evolve in life, so it’s kind of interesting to go back and revisit the records you discovered early on. Bouncing Off the Walls may have been the jam back in 2001, but now a song like Lost In You or I Changed My Name might resonate more. Knowhati’msayin?

Anyway, please keep the Sugarcult heartbeat pounding by continuing to tell all of your friends about our band. Burn mixes, share files, sing outta tune versions of Pretty Girl around the fireplace, if nothing else, at least buy our records for holiday gifts instead of horrible sweaters! See you out there… Holiday Cheers and a Kick Ass New Year, Marko and the Sugarcult Family