Sugar Ray was forced to cancel a pair of Canadian concerts over the weekend after singer Mark McGrath blew out his voice. The shows that were nixed included a planned television special that was to be taped in Jasper, Alberta on Saturday and another date in Vancouver, British Columbia on Sunday.
Co-headliner Everlast and openers 2 Skinnee J's performed at the two shows without Sugar Ray, although the McGrath's voice had returned in time for the band's regularly scheduled gig in Portland, Oregon on Monday night.
According to a Sugar Ray representative, McGrath headed home late last week to see a doctor and didn't make it to either city. The spokesperson points out that the current road trip, which started in early February and wraps this Saturday in San Bernadino, California, has been a grueling tour with few days off. She added that McGrath is also under strict orders to do as little talking as possible -- outside of the concert hall -- for the next two weeks.
However, the singer is expected to have his voice fully back to strength in time for next month's launch of the MTV Campus Invasion Tour, which will feature performances from Sugar Ray and Orgy. The itinerary for this, the second edition of MTV's collegiate-minded tour has just been finalized, and is slated to visit more than 20 schools and universities in April and May.
Much like last winter's inaugural trek, which was headlined by Third Eye Blind and Eve 6, this spring's Invasion will also include a free daytime interactive festival -- complete with new music video kiosks, a DJ booth and an informational tent dedicated to MTV's current anti-violence campaign.
The first set of dates for the MTV Campus Invasion Tour featuring Sugar Ray and Orgy:
•4/2 - San Diego, CA @ University of California at San Diego