This was a night that many music lovers of Melbourne never thought would happen. Ably supported by The Fearless Vampire Killers and local stalwarts Even, who are the Australia Post of local music in that they always deliver the goods, the sold-out crowd were here for legendary band The Sunnyboys.
Formed in 1980, they garnered immediate success and popularity at the time with their highly distinctive, intelligent take on power pop.
Two bona fide classics from their catalogue, which you still hear on radio today, are “Happy Man” and “Alone With You”. Sadly, the band split in 1984, due to both the pressures of constant touring and internal conflict when they were on the precipice of breaking internationally – many thought that was it for the band.
Tonight, The Sunnyboys, in their original lineup, played a highly engaging set to an absolutely adoring crowd.
Having dipped a toe in the musical water this year by performing at the Sydney show of the Hoodoo Gurus Dig It Up! extravaganza under the moniker ‘Kids In Dust’, Jeremy Oxley (guitar/lead vocals), Peter Oxley (bass/vocals), Richard Burgman (guitar) and Bill Bilson (drums), showed that they had the same fire and spark as a unit that made them stand out back in the day.
Commencing with a sprightly “As I Walk”, the band proceeded to charm and excite the collected fans, many of which were highly passionate in their responses, jumping skyward towards the roof and singing along loudly and proudly with every word.
Drawing their set list from their eponymous self-titled 1981 debut release and 1982’s Individuals, this was a strong collection of songs for fans and newcomers alike.
Featuring some great tracks like “Love To Rule”, “Liar”, “Show Me Some Discipline”, “What You Need” and “My Only Friend”.
With no assistance from effects pedals and the like, it was a joy to watch Jeremy Oxley simply plug in his guitar and create a vast and complex array of sounds and shapes simply by how he plays.
It was like what one imagines watching Pablo Picasso with a brush or Martin Scorsese with a movie camera would be like; Oxley is an artist in the true sense of the word.
“Happy Man” and “Alone With You” were the definite high points of the night, sending the already fired up crowd into overdrive. The latter track even prompted guitarist Burgman to confess to the audience that they really enjoyed playing it as a band.
This was a great night for lovers of power pop and Australian music in general. It is heartening to see The Sunnyboys back together and doing what they do so well.
Check out our photo gallery of The Sunnyboys playing Melbourne’s The Corner here.
