7 Songs We’d Love To Hear Live At The Sugar Hiccup Reunion Tour

 The ‘90s was a golden era for OPM; an entire decade that spawned one great band after another. One of these bands is Sugar Hiccup,, perhaps OPM’'s greatest contribution to dream pop. The band, formed in 1994, is named after a Cocteau Twins song. Its signature sound bears similarities with that of the Scottish dream pop band, with ethereal vocals slithering through dreamy musical patterns. The band turns 30 this year and will have a reunion tour to celebrate the milestone.

Meldoy Del Mundo

Vocalist and lead guitarist Melody del Mundo, who is now based in the US and has since formed The Mellow Dees, will be flying in for the tour, which will have four stops: Manila, Baguio, Cebu, and Singapore.

Produced by GNN Entertainment Productions and The Flying Lugaw, the Manila leg will feature long sets by the quartet, with founding members Czandro Pollack and Melody del Mundo, drummer Mervin Panganiban, and Iman Leonardo on bass. Mervin will play the Manila and Singapore shows while Wendell Garcia will pound the skins in Cebu and Baguio.  

Czandro Pollack

The first show will be held on October 19 at 123 Block in Mandala Park, Mandaluyong City. Supporting acts include Aunt Robert, The Purest Blue, Taken By Cars, and Barbie Almalbis.

The band will also perform at Cuba Libre in Clark Quay, Singapore on October 20; Canto Bogchi Joint in Baguio City on October 25, and Cebu on October 26. 

Mervin Panganiban

Sugar Hiccup will play classics from the early albums Oracle and Womb, and from 2017’s Closure and the recently released EP, A Photo of Us Two, which features album art by National Artist BenCab.  

While the cult hit ‘Five Years’ remains the band’s most revered song, more than a handful of other songs in Sugar Hiccup’s discography deserve to be performed live during the reunion. Here are seven songs, and the stories behind them, as told by Czandro and Melody.  Give them a listen.

1| “Womb”

This song, from the album of the same title, is quite literal. It’s about a fetus inside her mother’s womb. The narrative is told from the fetus’ point of view. The twist is that it’s about to be aborted.

2| “Moden De”

The band was surprised by how this song resonated with their fans, even if its lyrics mean nothing. The words are actually gibberish but blend so well with the music, making it a thoroughly engaging track. The chorus lines are from Russel.

3| “Us”

This song is about a conflicted relationship between two people who love each other but whose relationship isn’t meant to last. 

4| “Siesyatnebonsotneicosyolim” (Awa) 

The song defines what people—especially younger folks—might have felt during the 1896 revolution. It represents children wailing for their lost families and the gloom that overpowers them.

5| Saturnine Nevermore

This carrier single of the album Closure is about finding and getting everything one needs in one’s lifetime, and the contentment that comes with it. There is a feeling of resignation and the suggestion that one can leave the physical world anytime.

6| My Remorse 

This haunting song, with an arresting video released during the pandemic is about the adversities one encounters throughout life that lead to grief and despair.

7| Brave

This track from A Photo of Us Two is about how fearful one can be, and how much that person needs to gather the strength to overcome everything causing one’s fears.

A Photo of Us Two is available through Eikon Records.

Limited copies of Closure and A Photo of Us Two on vinyl will be sold at the venues. The band is also selling 30th anniversary commemorative shirts in partnership with Team Manila, designed by Melody’s brother, Marcel Ramos.

Follow Sugar Hiccup on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for updates.