The Bob Mould-led ’90s band Sugar has officially reunited, releasing a brand new song and announcing their first tour dates in 31 years.

Fans started to suspect something was happening last week when the band’s social media accounts suddenly became active again and began posting short teasers. While there was speculation about a possible album reissue, longtime fans hoped that the short-lived ’90s rockers could be reuniting.

What Are Sugar Announcing?

It seems that Sugar is beginning the reunion process. The band has released a new song titled “House of Dead Memories,” which already has a bit of history within the group. It comes with a corresponding video. Additionally, Sugar has announced two reunion shows in 2026, set to take place in New York and London.

The new song was actually written by Mould 14 years ago when Sugar considered a reunion for the 20th anniversary of their Copper Blue album. However, that proposed tour never happened as the trio wasn’t feeling it, and Mould decided to revisit the album on his own with his solo group without debuting the song.

“It’s a failed-relationship song, nothing too unique for me,” Mould shared with a chuckle to Rolling Stone. “But the riff is definitely a Sugar-type riff, and it was fun to get the three of us on the floor together to record for the first time in ages.” The actual version of “House of Dead Memories” was the band’s first take at the song.

Who Were Sugar?

Bob Mould was the most recognizable name in the band. He had fronted Husker Du during the ’80s before going solo. He sang and played guitar in the group. The trio also included bassist David Barbe, who had previously played in Mercyland, and drummer Malcolm Travis, whose primary credit prior was with Human Sexual Response.

Throughout their career, the band achieved significant success with singles like “Helpless” from Copper Blue (No. 5, Alternative Airplay) and “Your Favorite Thing” from File Under: Easy Listening (No. 14, Alternative Airplay). The video for “If I Can’t Change Your Mind” also received notable airplay on MTV.

Why Did Sugar Split in the ’90s?

Sugar’s formation was somewhat incidental. Mould had been working on a solo record, recruiting David Barbe and Malcolm Travis as his rhythm section. While rehearsing, they were invited to perform a one-off show in Athens, Ga., and the vibe was so good that they decided to form a band.

However, Sugar’s initial success brought a new level of pressure that the band members had not experienced before, leading Mould to feel overwhelmed with responsibilities.

READ MORE: <span style="text-decoration: underline">Dave Grohl Shouts Out Classic Alternative Songwriting Influence</span>

By late 1994, the strain began to show. Barbe expressed his desire to spend more time with family. Meanwhile, Mould admitted that Kurt Cobain’s death earlier that year had deeply affected him.

“Kurt’s passing really hit me personally,” Mould shared with Rolling Stone. “Sugar were in Atlanta, working in the studio when I saw Kurt Loder pop up on TV saying, ‘Kurt Cobain is dead.’ It was pretty demoralizing. It made me wonder, ‘What is this?’ Kurt’s situation was unique to him but not dissimilar to what happens when young people become very successful and lose track of things. I thought, ‘Wow, this business is sort of harsh.’”

Why Did Sugar Reunite Now and Will It Continue?

Mould revealed that while their previous reunion attempt failed in 2011, he felt a resurgence of interest in revisiting Sugar last year. He noticed renewed enthusiasm from fans and industry professionals alike.

“Fans have always shown interest,” he explained. “But people in the business, whether it was BMG or different promoters around the country, were voicing their support.”

The trio reconvened to play old material this time feeling more aligned. “This second time felt much better for all three of us, personally and as a former band,” Mould explained. “So we started looking at getting back together to do a few things.”

As for what lies ahead, Mould remains cautiously optimistic but is refraining from confirming anything further. “I don’t want to get out too far in front of my skis,” he shares. “People’s reactions will likely guide many possibilities ahead of us—whether it’s more songs or more shows. All three of us are committed to whatever feels right. I just want to see if people are still interested.”

In a press release announcing their reunion, Barbe stated, “Since we last played in 1995, I have worked on hundreds of records and engaged with music people all over the world. When Sugar comes up in conversation, it feels like a misty legend that people either remember from long ago or have only heard about. I am excited for fans to experience it firsthand.”

Travis added, “The return of Sugar is something I’ve dreamed about for a long time. What we accomplished during our brief existence still amazes me—the travel, shows, recordings, and meeting so many supporters who loved us. Getting back to working together again with Bob and David is such a gift; I’m looking forward to what the future holds for us.”

Where Can I Hear Sugar’s New Song + Get Concert Tickets?

Sugar has officially released their new song “House of Dead Memories.” The video can be viewed below while the track is currently streaming on multiple platforms.

The band has announced two shows each at New York’s Webster Hall (May 2-3) and London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town (May 23-24) for 2026. These will be their first performances since January 1995. Ticket information can be found on Sugar’s website.

Sugar’s 1992 debut album, Copper Blue, will also be commemorated with a 4LP box set titled Copper Blue – The Singles Collection, set to be released by BMG on Record Store Day Black Friday (Nov. 28).

Sugar, “House of Dead Memories”

Sugar 2026 Tour Dates

May 2-3 – New York, N.Y. @ Webster Hall
May 23-24 – London, U.K. @ O2 Forum Kentish Town