If the ancient Greek saying “A man is known by the company he keeps” rings true, then Santa Cruz–based Sugar Percussion is on a fast track to the drum maker’s equivalent of Mount Olympus. Not only do top drummers with discerning tastes, like session great Aaron Sterling and Black Crowes’ Steve Gorman, swear by the up-and-comer’s super-sweet stave snares and kits, but legendary producers/engineers, such as Eric Valentine, Vance Powell, and Ross Hogarth, are also singing their praises.