High Plains Reader
Sugar Free Allstars, Atkins Approved Music
October 2007

In a genre that is defined by guitar solos and long improvisational jam sessions the Sugar Free Allstars have created something completely original and all their own.  With only two members, one of which plays the drums and accompanies the vocals, and one who plays a Hammond B-3 organ called "Mama" or sometimes "Satan", the saxophone and lead vocals these guys create a sound that remains untapped by many others. "Being a duo is not the norm and especially when you have no bass player or (god forbid) no guitar player. I think people like the music because it's quirky and different but still catchy and fun at the same time. It's good-time groove music with some substance behind it." Remarked Chris Wiser, the lead singer and organ player for SFA.

As a band of two, the Sugar Free Allstars play "Funky Organ Rock, Groove Music".  The key word being music.  "It's funny because we don't really view ourselves as a jam band, but the same crowds like what we do. Maybe what we have to contribute is the minimalizing of the music a bit more. To us the groove and the song are most important…the soloing/improv is secondary." Acknowledged Wiser.  The fact that SFA tries to make songs is very apparent in the nature of their music.  "We tell people that the Sugar Free Allstars is what you get if G. Love's drummer and Booker T put together an organ duo, then bumped it up a notch or two, and threw in a little Cake/Ben Folds sarcasm for good measure…" stated Wiser. This sarcastic wit is heard in songs like "Buddhist in a Beemer" and makes the audience smile, if not laugh aloud, as they shake their booties on the dance floor.

After playing here in April and with a new CD that has yet to be titled coming out in mid to late November, SFA is excited to come back to Fargo and introduce the crowd to some new music as well as share some old favorites.  "We hope to have a rocking show and hope we see some familiar faces and see some new ones. And just have a good rock time with plenty of debauchery."  Commented Dr. Rock the drummer and backing vocals of SFA.  After playing Fargo SFA will continue their touring schedule that will bring them all the way down to Texas and back up to there home state of Oklahoma.  "We like to travel to places where no one knows us and we can see if we can stand on our own two feet... err I guess that's actually our own four feet. (8 if you count the Hammond B-3). I think we are up to playing in 15 or so states. And a European tour is in the works…if I can just figure out this passport thing." Declared Dr Rock. 

With all the touring that the Sugar Free Allstars are doing, be sure to catch them as they pass through Fargo, because they will not be back for a while and no one will want to miss their unique style and humor. "The main thing that makes us different is we haven't been convicted of a felony, accused but never convicted. I think a lot of people like us because we don't take ourselves too seriously. We like to have fun and I have found very few people who don't." mentioned Dr. Rock.  So, if you like to have fun, be at the Nestor on the 12th for the Sugar Free Allstars.

-Spencer Palder