Sugar Ray Return From Obscurity With New Album And Summer Tour

California-rooted alternative rock band Sugar Ray is gearing up for a poolside performance at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. Tonight's gig is part of a pre-release promotional campaign for their upcoming album "Music for Cougars."

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Sugar Ray edged on the charts in the 90s with a handful of certifiably mainstream hits such as "Fly", "Every Morning", "Someday" and "When It's Over." Tracks from best-selling albums "Floored" and "14:59" enjoyed platinum status and extensive airplay.

Previously signed with Atlantic Records, the group is currently contracted with Pulse Recordings. "Music for Cougars" marks the first release under their new label partnership.

Inspiration for the record came from demographical cues. Spiky-haired lead singer Mark McGrath told his former Extra co-host Dayna Devon that a pattern began to emerge at concerts. "A friend was like 'Look at your audience'. It was all cougars!", he confessed. "So it was kinda like DING!"

After a low key, rather unproductive decade, the 5 member band is reunited and eager to reclaim the airways once more. About new single "Boardwalk", McGrath acknowledged its feel good, summertime sound. "The melody [and] the harmony are sort of sunny, good times, summery", he explained.

For fans of Sugar Ray, the band's comeback campaign is a sweet development indeed.

The "Music For Cougars" drop date is set for July 21. The band rocks Friday Night Live at the Hard Rock Las Vegas tonight starting 9pm.