Move aside ACDC because proud Aussie rockers, the Sunnyboys are back to show Australia that they have still got it in them. The boys are coming to Geelong in March to play their past hits on their Alive and Well in the 21st Century Tour.
Peter Oxley started the band off in the ’80s with his brother Jeremy in a little town called Kingscliff in the North Coast of New South Wales. They grew up with Sunnyboys’ drummer, Bil Bilson, then later on came Richard Burgman who soon became their guitar player and the rest is pretty much history.
“We only played for three years together in the ’80s because my brother Jeremy suffered from schizophrenia so we had to stop playing and we didn’t start again until 2012,” says Peter of the band’s earlier years.
“We got asked by the Hoodoo Gurus if we would like to play at their ‘Dig It Up’ show in 2012 and Jeremy had been taking some medication. He was really good so we played that show and we all decided if this goes well then we will play some more.”
And that’s exactly what they have done since, as the band has performed two sold out tours of the country filling venues including the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Melbourne’s Forum Theatre and Perth’s International Arts Festival. They have also co-headlined the Meredith Music Festival and set a venue record previously held by Noiseworks at the Coolangatta Hotel.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t all fun and games when they first started out in the music industry. “We were in our late teens when we had our couple of hits so that was all pretty fast. We were all pretty young, playing lots of shows – there was a lot of pressure in those days,’’ says Oxley.
“It is much better now because we have a much larger audience that would love to see us play. We do not play as often but we play enough for us to enjoy it. It is quite unbelievable that we are playing now.”
It’s also quite amazing how the band have received such a committed and enthusiastic fan base.
“I think we only played in Geelong once in the early ’80s, so this will be a hell of a lot of fun. It is a nice size to play to because you feel really close to the audience and you are close together on stage – that’s pretty powerful. When you play at much bigger shows sometimes it can be hard to project the same sort of punky-pop attitude,” he says.
“Being able to perform again now I think that is a real highlight because we would have never thought we would get the chance to play again. We feel so happy that we can do so and that Jeremy is enjoying playing again.”
With new music in the making and a live album soon to be released, these guys do not seem to be leaving the music world anytime soon.
Do not miss the Sunnyboys live in Geelong on Friday March 11. The Sunnyboys are also appearing at ‘A Day On The Green’ in March. For more information on how to purchase tickets head to feelpresents.oztix.com.au.
Written by Rebecca Adams
When & Where: Wool Exchange Entertainment Complex, Geelong – March 11
