SUGAR Ray, the band that ruled the late 90s with hits like Fly and Every Morning, has returned to the stage – but not everyone is thrilled with their comeback.
The band, fronted by Mark McGrath, recently performed at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach, California.
This marked one of their first major appearances in years.
While some fans were ecstatic to see the group again, others expressed disappointment at their performance, with many suggesting that they have gotten worse over time.
The backlash began when Sugar Ray posted a tongue-in-cheek video to Instagram featuring a snippet of their performance, paired with the self-deprecating caption: “When you lose the grade 5 talent show.”
The video, which seemed to poke fun at their own musical abilities, quickly received some harsh criticism from followers.
One unimpressed viewer commented: “When you leave your voice in the 90s.”
Another chimed in with: “Pick a key… any key.”
A third was even harsher, writing: “I’d call the cops if this was playing in my backyard.”
Someone else added: “Sounds like he needs cardio.”
The mixed reception of their performance just goes to show that in the world of music, it can be difficult to pick up where you left off.
The group was originally made up of Mark McGrath, Rodney Sheppard, Murphy Karges, and Stan Frazier.
They achieved success in the late 1990s and early 2000s with their blend of rock and pop.
Sugar Ray’s 1997 hit Fly first catapulted them to fame, as it dominated the charts and went on to become a summer anthem.
However, as the years passed, the band faded from mainstream attention and their later music failed to replicate their early success.
They eventually disbanded, only reappearing for nostalgia themed events.
That said, Mark McGrath did have his own moment in the spotlight recently when he appeared on The Masked Singer in 2021.
