Start Static is the debut studio album by American rock band Sugarcult, released on August 21, 2001 by Ultimatum Music. Produced by Matt Wallace, it was their first album to receive mainstream success. The album's success was driven by hits like "Stuck in America", "Bouncing Off the Walls", and "Pretty Girl (The Way)". Start Static received generally positive reviews from music critics and while the album did not reach the US Billboard 200, it achieved significant success on independent and genre-specific charts, particularly in the United Kingdom. This is the band's only album to feature original drummer Ben Davis; he left the group in late 2003 to seek treatment for alcoholism and was replaced by Kenny Livingston.

Background

Vocalist/guitarist Tim Pagnotta founded Sugarcult in Santa Barbara, California, in 1998 with drummer Ben Davis. Bassist Airin Older joined, followed by guitarist Marko DeSantis. They released two albums, Eleven (1998) and Wrap Me Up in Plastic (2000), and two EPs, Get Street Cred (1999) and Songs About Girls (2000).

The group sent demos to record labels, eventually signing to independent label Ultimatum Music in January 2001. Recording for their next album took place at Rumbo Recorders in Los Angeles, California with producer Matt Wallace The songs tackle the themes of disbelief, escapism and recklessness. "Stuck in America" is about being young and wanting to leave your town. "Saying Goodbye" is about wanting a change of scenery;

Release

On June 18, 2001, the band's next album was announced for release in August; its track listing was also revealed. On July 18, the group revealed the album's title: Start Static. Preceded by the radio single "Stuck in America" on August 6, The band re-recorded "Bouncing Off the Walls" with producer Mark Trombino, which was released as a radio single on February 5, 2002; the CD single featured "How Does It Feel" and "Killing Me". The group filmed a music video for "Bouncing Off the Walls" in Hollywood.

Around this time, they gained exposure when four songs from Start Static appeared in the film Van Wilder (2002), the soundtrack to which featured "Bouncing Off the Walls" and was also released through Ultimatum. The "Bouncing Off the Walls" video, directed by Steven Oritt, premiered on MTV's Total Request Live on April 4, and featured Tara Reid and Ryan Reynolds, both of whom had starred in Van Wilder. The video was released online on August 6; it was filmed in Trinidad by director Orbitt. and was temporarily replaced by Lefty drummer Kenny Livingston in September; Davis officially left the group by Thanksgiving. In January 2003, the band signed to Epitaph Records to release Start Static in Europe. While in London, a second video for "Bouncing Off the Walls" was made, directed by Orbitt, and featured live footage and the band around the city. the CD single featured "You're the One", "No Action" and the music video for "Stuck in America". On March 17, Epitaph made the album available for streaming, before releasing it in Europe on March 24. In 2011, the band played 10th anniversary show for Start Static, which included Davis performing with them.

Touring

Following the album's mixing sessions, the band played a handful of regional shows in May and June 2001. The group had initially planned to only play the first eleven shows of the Warped Tour, until they were added to the remaining dates from late June to early August, save for a one-week support slot for Blink-182 in late July. In January 2002, the band toured with Home Grown on their US tour. Between October and December, the band supported the Ataris on their headlining US tour. On November 28, the band appeared on The Late Late Show, which was followed by a performance on Last Call with Carson Daly. Sugarcult supported Reel Big Fish on their headlining UK tour in January and February 2003.

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| rev3 = Drowned in Sound

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| rev8score = 9/10

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| rev9score = 4/5

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| rev10score = Unfavorable

Start Static was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics. AllMusic reviewer Tom Semioli felt that the band had "mastered the don't-bore-us-get-to-the-chorus approach to near perfection". Rock Hard writer Marcus Schleutermann said that the tracks have a "catchiness of various bravo punk bands, but in contrast, are provided with charismatic rough edges". Ink 19 reviewer Marcel Feldmar said it was "not bad, it’s Get Up Kids fun, all bright and poppy," telling listeners to ignore some of the song titles, "because the tight melodics and fast forward dynamics keep my head moving and my face smiling". Melodic webmaster Johan Wippsson complimented Wallace's production, and said that the "standard of the songs [is] good enough to makes this record interesting". Drowned in Sound Peter White, meanwhile, called the album a "festering wreck of a record, it oozes stolen genius. It doesn’t bolster your senses with never ending mesmerising noise, rather sliding Tom Petty punk glimmers through your radio friendly sockets".

By December 2003, Start Static had sold 300,000 copies. Cleveland.com ranked "Bouncing Off the Walls" at number 76 on their list of the top 100 pop-punk songs.

Track listing

Track listing per booklet.

Sugarcult

  • Tim Pagnotta – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Marko DeSantis – lead guitar
  • Airin Older – bass, backup vocals
  • Ben Davis – drums, backup vocals

Production

  • Matt Wallace – producer, mixing
  • Mike Landolt – engineer
  • Posie Muliadi – assistant engineer
  • Brett Nolan – mixing assistant
  • Ben Davis – additional production, additional engineer; producer, engineer <small>(tracks 11 and 12)</small>
  • Alan Yoshida – mastering
  • Becky Neiman – photography, design
  • Amber Cluck – photography
  • Sugarcult – photography

Charts

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! scope="col"| Peak<br />position

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References

Citations

Sources

  • Official website
  • Pure Volume