SugarComa
British nu metal band from Romford, active 1999–2004.
SugarComa (often written as SugarComa) were a British nu metal band from Romford, active from 1999 to 2004. The group was formed by vocalist and lyricist Jessica Mayers, bassist Heidi Fisk, drummer James Cuthbert, and guitarist Claire Simson. They released one studio album, *Becoming Something Else*, in August 2002, and later reunited for a single show in October 2013.
The band came together in March 1999 when Mayers teamed up with Simson, who had previously played in a band called Little Green Pants. Simson’s childhood friend Cuthbert took on drums, and Heidi McEwen (later Fisk) joined on bass. All four were teenagers at St Edward's Church of England School, and they recorded a demo using school equipment. Their name was taken from a Hole song. Their first gig was at The Walthamstow Standard, opening for a Metallica tribute act.
After sending their demo out in alphabetical order, the first label to respond was Abuse Records, run by Reading-based club promoter Sid Siddle. Siddle later partnered with Tony Defries’ management company MainMan and renamed his label Velocity Recordings. Defries had hired Siddle to find a heavy metal girl band. After seeing SugarComa’s fourth show at The Walthamstow Standard, Siddle funded their first single. With producer Iestyn Polson, they recorded the EP *Blisters*, which became Velocity Recordings’ first release in August 2000. *Blisters* was named Single of the Week in both *Melody Maker* and *Kerrang!*; guest reviewer Lauren Laverne called it “fantastic,” comparing it to Duran Duran, Hole, and Metallica. Because the band members were minors, they couldn’t sign a contract without parental consent. Their parents’ lawyers advised against the Velocity/MainMan deal, citing terms below industry standards.
As the band played small venues, they built marketing buzz. They recorded a BBC Radio 1 Evening Session and got airplay from John Peel and Steve Lamacq. Samantha Fox attended one gig. A *Metal Hammer* review of a November 2000 show in Manchester noted the room was packed with A&R reps. In December 2000, SugarComa were announced as support for My Ruin’s 2001 UK tour. They impressed singer Tairrie B and moved up the bill when Snake River Conspiracy dropped out. In early 2001, they played their biggest show yet, supporting Disturbed at the London Astoria alongside earthtone9, then did a few dates with Guano Apes.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Romford, Essex, UK
- Genre
- Nu metal, alternative metal
- Years Active
- 1999–2004; 2013
- Label
- Velocity Recordings, Music for Nations
- Current Members
- Jessica Mayers / Claire Simson / Heidi Fisk (née McEwen) / James Cuthbert
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
SugarComa formed in March 1999 when vocalist Jess Mayers joined guitarist Claire Simson, who had previously played in Little Green Pants. Simson's childhood friend James Cuthbert became drummer, and Heidi McEwen (later Fisk) played bass. All four were teenage pupils at St Edward's Church of England School and recorded a demo using school facilities. The band was named after a Hole song and played their first gig at The Walthamstow Standard supporting a Metallica tribute act.
After sending their demo out alphabetically, the first label to respond was Abuse Records, run by Sid Siddle. Siddle later changed the label to Velocity Recordings and funded their first EP, Blisters, produced by Iestyn Polson. Blisters became Velocity Recordings' first release in August 2000 and was named Single of the Week in Melody Maker and Kerrang!. The band members were minors and their parents, advised by lawyers, declined to sign the Velocity Recordings/MainMan contract.
In spring 2001 they signed with Music For Nations and released the EP What Goes Around. Their debut album Becoming Something Else was released in August 2002. The band faced creative interference from label executives and were unhappy with promotional efforts such as appearing on BBC children's programme The Saturday Show. They "fizzled out" during 2004, never formally splitting up. They reunited for a one-off show on 26 October 2013 at The Jazz Café in Camden Town, with Iain "Slomo" Scott replacing Cuthbert on drums.
Reader's Guide
SugarComa's significance lies in their brief but notable presence in the British nu metal scene of the early 2000s. Their early EP Blisters earned critical acclaim, being named Single of the Week in both Melody Maker and Kerrang!, with guest reviewer Lauren Laverne praising it as 'fantastic'. The band's cover of Britney Spears' "(You Drive Me) Crazy" generated controversy, earning a sardonic Five 'K' review from Kerrang! but costing them credibility within the heavy metal subculture. Their debut album Becoming Something Else was delayed due to 'unforeseen problems with the album's artwork' and was later reissued when The End Records obtained rights to Music For Nations' back catalogue in December 2011. The band disavowed two unsanctioned releases, Never Born (2001) and Life Before Colin (2011), as 'incomplete demos with car alarm noises dubbed over them'. Their 2013 reunion show was moved to a larger venue due to 'phenomenal demand'.
Did You Know?
- The band's cover of Britney Spears' "(You Drive Me) Crazy" was originally conceived as a joke during rehearsals.
- Bassist Heidi Fisk later became a train driver on the London Underground.
More in British Nu Metal Musical Groups 1-20
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced