McMaster Silhouette
Thursday, October 8, 1998
BY MICHAEL DOJC

Gordie Johnson, lead singer and guitarist behind Big Sugar, is a down-to-earth guy bereft of any of the pretentiousness that usually accompanies rock'n'roll types. I arrived for my interview a half-hour earlier then we had planned. Gordie was fiddling with his amp and plucking away at his now trademark double guitar. Sound check was in full swing and roadies and event staff were busy making preparations for the concert. Everybody was busy doing something. Me, I was busy looking like I belonged there as I slowly worked my way toward the stage and introduced myself. As soon as I told Gordie my name, he put down his guitar and was ready to talk shop.

. A lot of critics have said that the new album (Heated) is in the same vein as "Gone for Good", one of the poppier songs off Hemivision. Personally I disagree. What do you think?

I think it's the opposite of that. "Gone for good" is more flailing and bashing and crashing. You know-the Who type rock'n roll violence. We don't really do that anymore, we're more focused.

. There seems to be a movement towards reggae on Heated. Was this an intentional departure from blues-rock or a natural progression for Big Sugar?

It's accumulated over the years. It wasn't like we just went into the studio and decided, "Hey you know what, let's do something different." Anybody who's seen us in the last two years would have seen a lot more of it in the shows.

. I have to ask, is "Turn the lights on Baby"-one of the more reggae-tinged songs on the album-about having sex with the lights on?

Well (boisterous laughter)... Yeah, it's pretty straight up, I mean that is something that comes up in everyone's life.

. Let's talk about the single; what is "The Scene" about?

Any scene in general. It's kind of tongue-in-cheek. It pokes fun at people who work really hard at being cool. It sort of says that maybe if you don't try to be cool you probably are. That sort of thing.

. I must say the video is pretty cool? (hint, hint)

Yeah! We shot it in Hamilton [the motorcycle scene].

. Gordie, I see "Round and Round" as the next single, what do you think?

Ah, no I don't think it will be, but there was certainly a lot of discussion about that. It's a really hard call.

. How bout "Cop A Plea"?

I'd like to see that be a single but I don't know, I have to let the record company do something. I think the next single will be "Better Get Used to it". (Yeah Baby! Finally got it out of him)

. I know you like to take old gospel songs and transpose them into blues-rock. Did you use this song-writing technique on Heated?

Yeah for a few songs. Let me tell you [reaches for my copy of the album]. "Where I Stand", "Kicking Stones", "Hammer in my Hand" and even a little on "Heart Refuse To Pound".

. What is next for Big Sugar? Is there a chance of a Big Sugar live album?

[Eyes widen] Yeah, the next album I hope. I'm gonna start getting on my record company for that.

. Besides Big Sugar, what would you say is the hippest trendiest thing in music right now?

Dub music has made a real resurgence in England. House DJ mixers are getting into reggae and dub music. It's so outside right now. I don't think it's in danger of becoming real mainstream unless we release our dub record and it goes all the way which it probably will. we got like two records of Big Sugar dub.

. Right now rock'n'roll music seems to be at a stand-still. Where do you see rock music going or is the scene really dead?

I don't really pay attention to rock n' roll as a movement or a scene. I think rock music is dead. I think people are shocked at the notion of how loud we play. It's rock and roll for Christ's sake! When did people start walking around with their little tiny amps? It's just become amateurish.

. So you're more into the '70s style rock show?

Yeah. I went to rock concerts in the 70's, I loved it. I mean I'm not trying to recreate it. It strikes people as something different right now which is good for me because I plan to do it anyway. Like it or not here I come! Luckily people like it.

. Do you have any plans to break into other markets like the States?

There are negotiations going on now. There are a few contenders. This year we will make a more concerted effort to break onto that scene. It just doesn't make any sense to tour if you don't have the label support.

Sugar Bytes:

Cars: "I like the old Dodge and Plymouth muscle cars from about 1967. I've got a 1960 Dodge charger and an old Mercedes but the Chrysler stuff is the real deal."

Coffee: "I do actually take a little bit of sugar in my coffee if its bitter but I like not to have to put it in."

Meat: "I'm not only a meat eater, I'm a meat owner" (Gordie has a cattle ranch in Alberta).

Gary as the strong man in the band: "He never beat anybody up in the band but he was born in Kingston Jamaica. Yeah he was born tough. He's tougher than tough. He doesn't have to assert himself physically often to intimidate others. He's real peaceful man, really rasta and non-violent."