Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
The Sugar B's. 25th Anniversary: 200-2026.
Back in the cold December of 2000, three Hartlepool lads—Tony Kramer (guitar), Mick Purves (drums), and Dave Kirkwood (bass)—plugged in, turned up, and lit the fuse on what was meant to be a three-month R&B experiment. But once the amps roared and the rhythm hit, there was no turning back.
🔥 Early Sparks:
Tony and Mick had already cut their teeth in the club scene of the late '80s and early '90s. They brought in John Hand on harmonica and vocals, and the first incarnation of The Sugar B’s was born—raw, bluesy, and soaked in British ‘60s R&B swagger. Their debut gig at The Queens in Hartlepool in March 2001 kicked off a wild ride through the North East pub circuit.
🎤 Finding the Voice:
With Tony itching to shred more and sing less, the band brought in powerhouse frontman John Robson in late 2001. The lineup was locked in, and the band laid down The Misunderstood Album in 2002—live covers, loud and loose, straight from the pubs. Alex O’Grady joined the chaos later that year, adding brass and bite with her incredible Sax skills.
The Sugar B's. 25th Anniversary: 200-2026.
Back in the cold December of 2000, three Hartlepool lads—Tony Kramer (guitar), Mick Purves (drums), and Dave Kirkwood (bass)—plugged in, turned up, and lit the fuse on what was meant to be a three-month R&B experiment. But once the amps roared and the rhythm hit, there was no turning back.
🔥 Early Sparks:
Tony and Mick had already cut their teeth in the club scene of the late '80s and early '90s. They brought in John Hand on harmonica and vocals, and the first incarnation of The Sugar B’s was born—raw, bluesy, and soaked in British ‘60s R&B swagger. Their debut gig at The Queens in Hartlepool in March 2001 kicked off a wild ride through the North East pub circuit.
🎤 Finding the Voice:
With Tony itching to shred more and sing less, the band brought in powerhouse frontman John Robson in late 2001. The lineup was locked in, and the band laid down The Misunderstood Album in 2002—live covers, loud and loose, straight from the pubs. Alex O’Grady joined the chaos later that year, adding brass and bite with her incredible Sax skills.
