New music, same ’90s feel! Mark McGrath is turning out his first solo EP ever, but he still loves jamming out to Sugar Ray’s greatest hits. The singer dropped by Us Weekly’s NYC headquarters to preview his Under the Sun summer tour, reveal his pre-show rituals, and, oh yes, to answer the biggest question of all: Is “Every Morning” or “Fly” his favorite?
McGrath, 47, is proud of his music roots, so much so that he’s hitting the road with other ’90s acts such as Eve 6, Uncle Kracker, and Better Than Ezra. The third annual three-hour festival is packed with No. 1 hits and new faces every year.
“What’s really cool is that there’s a ’90s nostalgia trip happening,” the Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser star told Us. “The crowds are getting bigger but they are getting younger too.”
He mused: “We’re not selling anything new. Like, ‘Here’s the new product.’ If you don’t like songs from the ’90s please don’t come to the show. We have nothing to offer you. If you do — you’re going to have the best night of your life.”
The “Summertime’s Coming” singer isn’t lying. After all, his 1997 debut single, “Fly,” and 1999 hit “Every Morning” are (of course!) on the set list.
“It’s absolutely ‘Fly,'” he said of his favorite Sugar Ray song. “‘Fly’ was the song that took us around the world. It gave us our first. I will always be humbled by that song. When I hear it on the radio it still it feels like the first time. It’s sort of like a best friend that never went away and is always there.”
What’s also there is a shot of Jameson whiskey before he takes the stage, which is a longtime tradition. He added: “The reaction of the crowd gets me every time.”
For more with McGrath, including his craziest fan stories (hello, hotel stranger!) and teaming up with PledgeMusic, watch the video above!
