With 11 songs in the 2025 Sickest 100 countdown, Sugar Tongue have cemented themselves as one of Adelaide's most exciting bands. Here's their story.

When the votes were tallied for the 2025 Sickest 100, one name appeared more than any other: Sugar Tongue. The Adelaide four-piece landed an astonishing 11 songs in the countdown, including "Reefa Dragon" at #11. For a band that formed writing five songs in a week for a Battle of the Bands they'd entered "completely unprepared," it's a remarkable rise.

From Backyard BBQs to Battle of the Bands

Sugar Tongue's origin story is as authentic as their music. Frontman Tom and guitarist Leo (Alex Lang) have been friends since childhood – bonding over The Offspring CDs their dads played on repeat. What started as jam sessions at backyard barbecues gradually evolved into something more serious.

The turning point came in 2022 when they entered District Sky City's Battle of the Bands. There was just one problem: they didn't have enough original songs. "We were accepted completely unprepared and quickly had to make up five original songs within just over a week," the band recalls. That pressure-cooker creativity became their signature approach.

The Sound: Surf Rock Swagger with a Reggae Heartbeat

Sugar Tongue's sound defies easy categorisation. They describe it as "surf rock swagger with a reggae heartbeat and a pop sting" – a blend that draws from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus, Pearl Jam, Bob Marley, and Sublime. The result is infectious: laid-back reggae pulses meeting garage-tinged psychedelia, all wrapped in hooks that stick in your head for days.

Their debut album Tongue Twister, released in November 2025, showcases this versatility across 11 tracks. Mixed and mastered entirely in-house by Leo – their "in-house wizard" – the album captures "that blend of bedroom grit and dream" that defines their sound.

Sickest 100 Domination

Sugar Tongue's 2025 Sickest 100 performance was nothing short of extraordinary. Their 11 entries included:

  • #11 – Reefa Dragon
  • #20 – Yenoh Redrum
  • #23 – Until you got me High
  • #24 – Islands of Halcyon
  • #25 – Poison Lips
  • #27 – Tessellation
  • #28 – Spliff Vision
  • #35 – Wheel of Fortune
  • #39 – Rest
  • #45 – SLOW MOTION
  • #48 – Gotta Get Away

This followed their strong showing in the 2024 countdown, where they placed seven songs including "Stone Cold Chilla" at #33 and "Gasoline" at #35. Combined, that's 18 Sickest 100 appearances in just two years – a testament to their connection with Adelaide's music community.

The Adelaide Scene

Sugar Tongue are deeply embedded in Adelaide's local music ecosystem. They're regulars at iconic venues like The Gov, Grace Emily Hotel, and Lowlife Basement Bar. Their live shows have earned a reputation for transforming venues into "sweat soaked, smoke hazed, beer splashed sermons."

On Adelaide's scene, the band says: "Adelaide's got a magic scene that's hard to explain. It's like no other in Australia! It's chill but alive, small enough to know everyone, but big enough to never get bored."

The DIY Spirit

What makes Sugar Tongue's success even more impressive is that they've done it entirely independently. "Being indie means you're the manager, marketer, and merch guy all at once," they explain. "It's certainly exhausting, but it means every win hits harder and is more meaningful."

Leo handles all production, mixing, and mastering in-house. There's no major label backing, no industry machine – just four mates from Adelaide making music they love and watching it connect with people.

What's Next

Fresh off the Tongue Twister release and their Sickest 100 triumph, Sugar Tongue have big plans for 2026. They're planning an east coast tour, a Perth run, and "manifesting some festival stages." For a band that went from writing five songs in a week to dominating South Australia's biggest local music countdown, anything seems possible.

As they put it: they're here to spread their "message of peace and love through music" – one sweat-soaked gig at a time.

Follow Sugar Tongue on Instagram, stream on Spotify, and catch them at a venue near you.