This offbeat pop band was formed in Reykjavík, Iceland, on 8 June 1986, the date taken from the birth of lead singer Björk's son Sindri. The settled line-up featured Björk Gudmundsdóttir (b. 21 November 1965, Reykjavík, Iceland; vocals/keyboards), Bragí Ólaffson (b. 11 August 1962, Reykjavík, Iceland; bass), Einar Örn (b. Einar Örn Benediktsson, 29 October 1962, Iceland; vocals/trumpet), Margrét "Magga" Örnólfsdóttir (keyboards, replacing original keyboard player Einar Mellax), Sigtryggur "Siggi" Baldursson (b. 2 October 1962, Norway; drums), and Thór Eldon (guitar). Björk's stepfather was in a rock showband, and after early stage appearances she completed her first album at the age of 11. She was also the singer for prototype groups Tappi Tíkarrass then Theyr, alongside Siggi Baldursson. The latter band shot to prominence when Jaz Coleman and Youth (Killing Joke) mysteriously appeared in Iceland in March 1982, paranoid about an impending apocalypse, and collaborated on several projects with Theyr. Björk, Benediktsson and Baldursson then went on to form Kukl, who toured Europe and released two records on the Crass label, establishing a link with the UK anarcho-punk scene that would be cemented when the band joined UK independent label One Little Indian Records.
The Sugarcubes' debut single, "Birthday", and album, Life's Too Good, saw the band championed in the UK press almost immediately. In particular, praise was heaped on Björk's distinctive and emotive vocals. The Sugarcubes ran their own company in Iceland called Bad Taste, an organization that encompassed an art gallery, poetry bookshop, record label, radio station, and publishing house. Björk's ex-husband Thór Eldon, a graduate in media studies from London Polytechnic and the band's guitarist, sired their son Sindri under a government incentive scheme to boost the island's population, the financial rewards for this action allowing him to buy a pair of contact lenses. He then married Magga Örnólfsdóttir (ex-the Giant Lizard), who joined the band in time for their second album. In addition, Siggi Baldursson and Bragí Ólaffson, the band's rhythm section, were brother-in-laws, having married twin sisters. Most bizarre of all, however, was the supposed marriage of Einar Örn and Bragí Ólaffson in Denmark in 1989, allegedly the first openly gay marriage in pop history, although later comments from both men indicated that the report was a record company fabrication.
The next Sugarcubes release Here Today, Tomorrow, Next Week, its title taken from a line in Kenneth Graeme's book Wind In The Willows, was a much more elaborate album, with a full brass section on "Tidal Wave" and strings on the single "Planet". However, compared with the rapturous reception granted their first album, Here Today took a critical pasting. Even label boss Derek Birkett conceded that it was far too deliberate. The press was also quick to seize on the fact that Benediktsson's vocal interjections detracted from the band's performance.
After much touring, the Sugarcubes returned to Reykjavík, where they followed their own interests for a time. Björk collaborated on the Bad Taste album Glimg Glo, while other members of spent time as an alternative jazz orchestra. The band then played a concert for President Mitterand of France, in Reykjavík, and Björk joined 808 State on their Ex:El album and single, "Oops'. The Sugarcubes' third album, 1992"s Stick Around For Joy, found them in favour with the music press and back in the charts with "Hit", but the inevitable happened shortly afterwards, with Björk heading for a critically and commercially rewarding solo career.
The original line-up of the Sugarcubes reunited on 17 November 2006 to play a one-off concert in Reykhavík to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of their debut single.
