Meet the Band: Eroc Sosinski (bass, vocals), Jim Tigue (lead guitar, vocals), Jamie Combs (guitar, vocals), Bob Gerhard (keyboards), J.R. Richley (drums), Jon Darling (percussion)
Wish You Were Dead: The perennial Pink Floyd tribute band, Wish You Were Here, shares a few members with this longtime Grateful Dead cover band. Sugar Magnolia brings the full Jerry Garcia-led effect to Northeast Ohio and beyond several times each year, giving fans intimate and rare engagements since forming in 1995.
Fire On The Mountain: "We're doing it because we love playing the music and sharing it with the fans," Sosinski says. "The guys in the bands are fans themselves, so it was a natural outlet following Garcia's death. For the band — and many others on tour these days — maintaining the Dead's grassroots spirit and dazzling musicianship is an inspirational core."
Live Show Legacy: A hallmark of the Grateful Dead was the band's ability to cultivate a tight-knit symbiosis with fans and shine a light on the idea of the live performance as a source of energy. Sugar Magnolia makes damn sure that people remember those fundamentals and have a good time gettin' down while doing so. This weekend's show will no doubt accomplish all of the above.
Where You Can Hear Them: myspace.com/sugarmagnoliatribute
Where You Can See Them: Sugar Magnolia plays at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19 at Brothers Lounge. — Eric Sandy
