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The Sugar Prophets perform at Cowboy Monkey in Champaign on Thursday, March 4th 2010. Photo by James Kyung (James Kyung, buzz Photographer)

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Although it may be relatively new to the scene, the jam band The Sugar Prophets has a long history of playing in the Champaign-Urbana area. Forming last July, members have résumés that include Kilborn Alley Blues Band, The Shades of Blue and Bad Whiskey Blue’s Band. The band is in the middle of a full tour around Illinois right now and is looking towards the future. On March 12, you can find The Sugar Prophets opening for the national touring Americana band Band of Heathens.

buzz: How would you describe your music to a new listener?

Josh Spence: I usually say we’re blues rock jam band, but we’re kind of a little bit of everything. We play a little bit of Buddy Guy and some Paul Butterfield in our sets, but for the most part we don’t want to be pigeonholed. We’re just five guys bringing five different influences and we just see what happens.

buzz: Where does the name come from?

JS: You know what, I don’t really know. I can’t really give you an answer, I was just trying to come up with a name and thinking of something completely different and then it came into my head. First it got mixed reviews from the band but now we can’t imagine any other name. We say we’re spreading the sweet sound of the blues.

buzz: Members of The Sugar Prophets have been in other local bands in the past. How would you compare those bands to this one?

JS: I don’t think you could, I think we’re completely different and that’s what makes us unique. Like I said, we’re a bunch of influences coming together, and when we write our music, the whole band writes the song. Someone may come up with a lick or a chorus or something, but then the band makes the whole song. I don’t think you could compare us to any of those bands that other people have played in. We’re just a different band.

buzz: I saw that you hope to be going into the studio to produce an album? Are you looking forward to that?

JS: We’ve recorded some stuff, but we’re recording our debut album in early April. We’re planning on going to Pogo for it; we’ve got to do some recording there ... we’re looking forward to that.

buzz: What are we going to see from The Sugar Profits in the next few years?

JS: We want to go as far as the music will take us. We would love to tour nationally and play festivals like Bonnaroo and stuff like that. That’s where our goals are right now, and we’re trying our best to reach those.