We organised it way back in October of 2011 and the day finally arrived and we were off to Waiheke on a ferry with our gear. The “tour” was on. International at that, and we were excited to get to the venue with plenty of time to set up and then go grab some lunch and relax for a few hours.

A few more pics from Goldie’s:

Serena, the bride, arranged transport and lodging for us so we just had to get over there Saturday to set up at The Goldie Room.

Serena was without a doubt the most chill bride ever; if she was stressed she didn’t show it. Her groom Paul was gracious and helped us get everything sorted out, then we had the rest of the day free to explore.

We drove to the north side of the island, Onetangi, and had lunch at the BeachFront Restaurant, the free wifi had us tweeting, Facebooking and geeking out. So very not rock and roll.

We stayed at the Larkview Cottage at the bottom of a driveway which put us basically in a paradise with Tui singing and sun shining. Put the rugby on and sleep till show time. Yep.

The wedding was fantastic and we blasted through 2 hours straight with songs and lots and lots of dancing. The happy couple was happy, as was everyone else, and we’re incredibly honored to have been a part of it!

The bride and groom, though blurry here, are pretty clear about their feelings for each other, and we wish them the best!

Two weeks ago we had a slight change of plan – we hired a guitarist/vocalist and decided to let him call the songs, and it was awesome. Amazing.

We played lots of songs we had never done before, and we had never rehearsed with this guitarist/vocalist so we are flying on faith that it would work out and it sure did. Get this, we played Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al” (bass solo included x 3, I just couldn’t resist!) and more.

There are those times when you completely break out of the comfort zone and stretch your ears and trust that everything’s going to work out and it certainly did work out. While we missed the fuller sound and fat 3 and sometimes 4 part harmonies, this gig went well.

We’re playing the Moa again this Friday so check us out on Facebook to RSVP!

Twas nearing the end of the year and not a thing was stirring, except for us band of crazees at The Flying Moa! We ended the year right by playing a moderately busy night with good drink specials and just the hint of summer around the corner. Yes, no jackets required.

Reflecting on the past year, we just want to take a minute to thank everyone for supporting us and for all the pubs who have had us play. We wish you all the best for the coming year!

We played some pub shows that were packed to the rafters, and other private events that showed it’s not just the pubs that can get into it.

Some highlights for 2012:

• We are playing a wedding on Waiheke Island, and are getting more enquiries so please give a shout quick for your next wedding or special event
• We are a band-in-residence every other Friday at the Moa for the near future so there’s no excuse now not to plan ahead and come catch a SugarBang show

From New Zealand’s Sweetest Covers Band, peace out! (See you at the Moa this Friday, ha).

First off, a big SugarBang thank you to all the Facebook fans who showed up to our gig this last Friday! Love seeing Facebook work wonders and do its thing.

We also advertise gigs on Mukuna Gig Guide and Eventfinder so check them out for any of our future gigs. Of course we’ll update the Facebook events page weekly so just “Fan” us and you’ll never miss a gig.

We banged through a more classic rock set, lots of people were wearing black this night, and we unveiled “Another One Bites The Dust” by Queen; what a rocking tune! We don’t play any songs that don’t feel right, and this song is staying in the setlist.

One of my good friends might want us to play her birthday party; will keep you posted on how this goes! Birthday parties and weddings are so festive we love playing these especially.

See you back at The Flying Moa on the 28th of October! Signed, New Zealand’s Sweetest Covers Band, SugarBang.

SugarBang plays the Moa on 2-Sep-2011

SugarBang loves the Flying Moa, it’s our local stomping ground. We love playing here, it’s spacious, the staff are awesome, and the neighborhood, Ellerslie on the edge of St. Johns, is up and coming.

The night started slow but become good and solid with regulars and some new folks. Thanks to Mark for brining his 10 friends, it sounded like you guys were having an awesome birthday celebration!

The band ran through an adapted setlist with lots of new stuff, we’re playing songs like Mr. Brightside by the Killers and Valerie by Amy Winehouse. It’s our mission to keep changing things up so you can see us again and again without hearing the same songs.

See you at the next gig!

SugarBang poster for our New Brew tavern gig

The New Brew gig was AMAZING last Friday night. It was a singles event and they were definitely ready to party. All. Night. Long.

Now to be fair there was no dancing on tables, but there was dancing, and lots of it. The crowd even obeyed commands to “get more to drink” and cheers to “how you doing out there?!”.

This is even more wonderful when you realise that Rosedale and Pickering roads are deep in the heart of Albany, some might even say it’s hard to find because it’s in a residential area.

But this is not the case! Just get off at the Greville exit, go north on Bush Road, right on to Rosedale and turn left on Pickering at the roundabout and you’re there.

New Brew has lots of parking and drink specials. Check out their website here.

We always love playing New Brew and we’re there next on the 10th of September. Are you keen to see this show? Find the event soon on our Facebook page and RSVP!

We’ve played here before, see the blog post about that gig here.

Cheers, SugarBang

The folks at Fort Street Union contacted us a while back and asked if we could help keep people around after happy hour. We jumped at the chance because every band loves a challenge.

And wow, what a beautiful venue!

Thanks to Nomad Hostels for the great images.

So we set up early and their house PA system is immaculate; built in 18″ subs in the stage, and 4 mains speakers aimed at the stage and the dance floor. We had no worries about projecting we just had to bring our gear and our mixing desk.

And can you say “pro lighting rig”?! We can; those lights were fantastic and fully controllable by Hamish, our button pushing drummer.

All went really well and the crowd peaked around 11pm when we played 500 Miles; that song always gets the punters into it! That dance floor was filling up and we could not have been happier.

Thanks to Andrew and staff at Fort Street Union for the quality support!

We got there super early to set up before the AB’s vs. Fiji, and while it was never a close contest the match was well played; a few Fijian tries making it interesting.

Afterward we got right into it, check out the setlist; we tried starting with a new song this time, and what could be more iconic than Summer of ’69? But before the setlist, let’s give a warm welcome to our new awesome singer Juliet Cross! She did a fantastic job and it’s 100% certain she’s a great addition to the band and uber talented.

Set 1:
Summer of ’69
Brown Eyed Girl
Oh My God
Steal My Kisses
I Want You to Want Me
Why Does Love
April Sun
Delirium
Crazy Little Thing
Santeria
Proud Mary

Set 2:
Listen to the Music
I Love Rock and Roll
Sweet Home Alabama
Build Me Up Buttercup
Dreadlock Holiday
Just a Girl
Blister in the Sun
Rain
Dakota
Living on a Prayer
Honky Tonk
Johnny B. Goode (Thanks to one of the bar staff for sitting in on this one!)

Set 3:
Sex on Fire
Hot n Cold
Footloose
You Shook Me
Dani California
Hit me With Your Best Shot
Stuck in the Middle
Leave Me Alone
500 Miles
My Sharona
Sweet Caroline Better Man

We played the New Brew last weekend and had a great time, as always. There was a function in the function room with everyone dressed in black (how gauche!) and lots of people braving the cold on the outdoor patio.

It was our last gig with our singer Kim Sutton, so tears were shed, but we’re moving on with new singer Juliet Cross – we’re very happy to have her!

We’ll be posting band pics soon so keep an eye out for that.

Thanks again to the staff at New Brew for the bar tab and for keeping us feeling welcome everytime we play!

Played The Flying Moa last night and had a great show. We played several new songs too, I’m Yours by Jason Mraz, Lazy Song by Bruno Mars and Superstition by Stevie Wonder. We got dancers on the floor with Dreadlock Holiday and You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC. Bogans in the house!!

We set up on the other side of the room with our backs to the dining area and it just made sense. Before we were hidden away behind a column and two walls. Not very rock and roll!

Special thanks to Simon and Nitika, Friends Clint and Mariana, and Hamish’s girlfriend Tren and her crew for coming along to the show.

We’re looking forward to more gigs in the near future at what we like to call our “home base”.