The Sugarcubes
Iceland's first internationally successful rock band, formed June 8, 1986 (the day Björk gave birth to her son Sindri) from the art collective Smekkleysa/Bad Taste as a tongue-in-cheek pop band meant to generate money for the collective. Members included Sigtryggur Baldursson from new wave band Þeyr, Einar Örn from punk outfit Purrkur Pillnikk, and Björk from Tappi Tíkarrass—all veterans of the Reykjavík underground. Their 1988 debut Life's Too Good sold over one million copies and shocked everyone by becoming a college radio hit, proving Icelandic music could compete globally. Played The Ritz in New York with David Bowie and Iggy Pop in attendance, then appeared on Saturday Night Live two months later. Disbanded 1992 after Björk launched solo career, needing a different environment to implement her specific creative ideas beyond the band's democratic structure.
Listen
Featured in
Discography
Life's Too Good
Iceland's first internationally successful rock album, selling over one million copies after its 1988 release and establishing that Icelandic artists could compete globally with their distinctive avant-pop sound. The band was founded as a tongue-in-cheek pop band for the art collective Smekkleysa/Bad Taste to generate money, but what they created succeeded beyond expectations. Singer Einar Örn's contacts in London from his studies helped, as did the timing—they were in the right place at the right moment. Shocked everyone by becoming a college radio hit in America, leading to performances at The Ritz in New York with David Bowie and Iggy Pop in attendance, then Saturday Night Live two months later.