The Canadian band, Big Sugar, was originally Toronto-based. The band, formed in 1992, is composed of members Garry Lowe (bass, vocals), Gordie Johnson (guitar, vocals - left), and Kelly Hope (keyboards, sax, vocals). Their albums Big Sugar (self titled, 1992), Five Hundred Pounds (1993) Dear MF (1995), Hemi-Vision (1996), and Heated (1998) have been hits with the Canadian population.

The name Big Sugar could mean a lot of things; one of which could be sugar cane - a nod to Jamaica and the band's heavy dub influence, brought in by band member, Garry Lowe, who Johnson claims has been "playing reggae since before was born."

The band's first professional gigs were in clubs, backing up a wide range of singers. Juggling all styles of music has meant that Big Sugar's line-up is constantly evolving, but on 1996's Hemi-Vision and the new Heated, the band has gelled into the core trio of Johnson on guitar and vocals, Kelly Hoppe on a variety of instruments, including keyboards, saxophone and melodica, and Garry Lowe on base. Hoppe and Johnson have worked together ever since Hoppe hired the young Gordie to play in a blues cover band.

This line-up has brought Big Sugar it's greatest success, with the Canadian #1 single "The Scene" and the Top Ten hits "Better Get Used to It" and "Diggin' A Hole" (all of which are included on the American release of Heated). In addition, album sales for Hemi-Vision surpassed the platinum mark while Heated is already at gold and counting.

The Official Big Sugar Website