Getting to Know… Whisky Sugar | Interview

In the 512^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from the Barcelona-based rock band, Whisky Sugar. 

Rock on, Whisky Sugar! The band is composed of John Side on guitar, Rai Storm handling bass and vocals, and Vic Fury on drums. The Barcelona-based band adds, “We write our songs by hand, mining from our own life and the absurdity that is the wider world to make some thoughtful, funny, and sometimes profound tunes that speak to where ours and later generations are headed.” Word.  We get the inside scoop on the band’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and current and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into Getting to Know…Whisky Sugar: Interview No. 512!

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For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes you distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

We’re a rock’n’roll trio from the small town of Belvitge (right next to Barcelona), singing original tunes with a heavy love for hard rock, glam, and grunge. We write our songs by hand, mining from our own life and the absurdity that is the wider world to make some thoughtful, funny, and sometimes profound tunes that speak to where ours and later generations are headed.

Laying this down in front of our audience usually gets a crowd up and rowdy – we’re loud on stage, both caring and care-free about our audience (bring your own vibe), and just hope to make them smile, laugh, and scream. Isn’t that what any band wants? We do!

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Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Whisky Sugar form, and what were some of your goals or visions early?

John and Rai formed the band around the end of 2019. The pandemic struck it hard, but we worked through it and found some drummers. Yes, drummerSSS. One wasn’t quite ready to commit, another had to find work and couldn’t play often, and another was a tennis coach going on PGA tours! We found our guy in early 2023, and that man was Vic Fury! With him, we launched into gigs all over town, shot our band photos, and even performed a New Year’s gig. Our goal has always been to play meld [sic] garage rock, punk, grunge, and glam, and create something that has a melody, something that speaks to people.

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Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or perspectives changed since you first started? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Santi: I don’t know about starting out goals, but right now, I really want to play Reading or Glastonbury in the UK.

John Side: The goals are always the same: come on Friday and play, enjoy some drinks, and talk about the problems around us and the world, it’s our own ritual about music and humanity. I love it.

Vic: My perspective on the band hasn´t changed at all. From the moment the three of us started playing together, I was certain we would continue as a band, whether we succeeded or not

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Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences, and how are they influential?

Santi: There’s enough ink dropped on them to last readers a lifetime, so let me just say, Kurt Cobain or Bob Dylan. Their way of writing, their incredible voices, and their perspective on life are major for me.

John Side: For me people like: Little Richard, Héctor Lavoe, Steven Tyler, John Paul Jones, Bret Michaels, Aretha Franklin, Prince, Ruben Blades, Santana, Phil Collins and a lot more from rock, salsa, blues, rock and roll, bossa nova…… this people create his own sound and personality in music, that’s and inspiration and a way of life for musicians, I love all of it.

Vic: Undoubtedly, my biggest influence has been Queen. Their story, the talent of each member, their lyrics… what they achieved is very inspiring.

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Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

Santi: One time, this guy jumped on stage begging us to play “Johnny B Goode” so he could play guitar to his girlfriend/girl he’s trying to impress? Our own John Side was a good Samaritan and let him have his moment.

John Side: That’s a big one story and a real one, Raí Storm, that’s life.

Vic: The same anecdote that Santi tells that night, I had an incredible toothache, and with the medication I took, sometimes I couldn’t even remember the tunes we were playing!

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To this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

Santi: “Every time I look at You” is one I’m fond of. I just had a relative tell me it reminded them of their first childhood love – that’s kind of what I tried to write about.

John Side: “Lets make it rock tonight” because it’s a real hard rock song and it’s a memory from my musical rookie moment.

Vic: It’s definitely “Out for the World”. From the first time I heard it, it was my favorite song on the album. It’s fun to play, beautiful to listen to, and has very profound lyrics.

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Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left-of-center we should know about Whisky Sugar? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

Santi: I make a mean loaf of Italian bread from scratch.

John Side: I ran a radio show for three years that played iconic movie soundtracks.

Vic: I lived in my camper for two years.

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What is Whisky Sugar currently working on or promoting that you can share? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

 “A Million Miles Away” was released in April 2026.

Our single, “Tannen’s World,” is a breathless, grunge-drenched tune railing at the chaotic state of the world!

 

Check out the music video we shot in the desert for “Breakfast For Millionaires.”

We’re currently playing around town and trying to line up venues for a small European tour (or anywhere really!). Know anyone looking for a hardworking rock’n’roll trio that sings in English, swears in Spanish, makes jokes in Catalan, and occasionally prays in Hindi? Hit us up for a world tour!

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Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward.   

Thanks so much, Musical Hype. Here are our band links: Instagram; YouTube; Spotify; Apple Music

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Getting to Know… Whisky Sugar: Interview No. 512 (2026) [📷: Whisky Sugar]

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