The Sunnyboys
Encyclopedia
Sunnyboys was an Australian post-punk
, power pop
band formed in Sydney
in 1980. Fronted by singer-songwriter, guitarist Jeremy Oxley
, the band "breathed some freshness and vitality into the divergent Sydney scene". Their first two albums, Sunnyboys and Individuals both charted into the Top 30 of the Australian Kent Music Report
Albums Chart.
The Sunnyboys produced melodic power pop classics and were rewarded with an immediate positive response.
The Oxley brothers, Jeremy and Peter, and Bill Bilson hailed from the northern New South Wales town of Kingscliff
where they played in a garage band called Wooden Horse. The band gained early experience when the students of Tweed River High School were obliged to attend a compulsory concert in school hours arranged by the Oxley's father, who was an Art teacher at the school. Anyone who failed to applaud or was in any way unsupportive was awarded detention. Richard Burgman (Kamikaze Kids) came from Wagga Wagga
, and they all met in Sydney in 1979, forming The Sunnyboys.
The band's name was based on an orange flavoured frozen ice treat of the same name. They came in a triangular pyramid shaped ‘tetra-pack’. These ice confections were very popular as a summer treat all over Australia. According to Richard Burgman the band chose the name because it represented ‘bright, happy, young, fun’.
On 15 August 1980, they played their first gig, supporting inner-city faves The Lipstick Killers.
In October of that year the band recorded four songs with Lobby Loyde
. The tracks, "Love To Rule", "The Seeker", "What You Need" and "Alone With You", all appeared on the band's self-titled and independently released 4-track 7" EP
on Phantom Records
. The initial pressing of 1,000 copies sold out in two weeks.
The Sunnyboys signed to Mushroom Records
in February 1981, becoming the first Sydney-based band on the label, and by July that year had cracked the mainstream charts with the single "Happy Man". The same month they released their own independent EP which was given away at gigs, entitled Happy Birthday containing the tracks "What You Need", "Why Do I Cry?", "I Want To Be Alone" and "Let You Go". Their eponymous debut LP, was recorded at Alberts Studio during May, June and July 1981 with producer/mentor Lobby Loyde
. The album had an initial print run of 2,000 on yellow vinyl, reached number 13 on the national album charts in October 1981 and remains an Australian classic. The album produced a second hit single, a new version of "Alone With You", which reached number 15 on the national singles chart, establishing The Sunnyboys as a bona fide headline attraction.
In the midst of their heavy touring schedule the band recorded their second album, Individuals (issued May 1982). The album peaked at number 19 and two singles from the record charted briefly: "You Need A Friend" and "This Is Real".
Their fifth single, "Show Me Some Discipline" charted in Sydney only. The band meanwhile travelled to the United Kingdom where they played two sold out shows at the famous Marquee Club
before recording their 3rd album at Ridgefarm Studios, Surrey. The resultant album, Get Some Fun displayed a greater diversity and more confident musicianship. To coincide with the album's release, the band embarked on their first national Australian tour since May 1983. Unfortunately, neither the LP or the singles from the album ("Love In A Box" and "Comes As No Surprise") charted strongly enough.
Internal dissent also plagued the band and The Sunnyboys announced their break-up in June 1984. Their farewell tour produced the album Real Live which was recorded over two nights in Sydney (29 and 30 June).
In 1985, the French label Closer combined The Sunnyboys' first two albums as a double set entitled Days Are Gone for the European market. Following the demise of The Sunnyboys, Jeremy Oxley launched a new band called Chinless Elite. Shortly thereafter he formed another (and more successful) group, called The Fishermen. This band released one single entitled "Can't You Stop?" on the Waterfront
label before calling it a day.
Richard Burgman meanwhile joined The Saints
and ultimately Weddings Parties Anything
. He later emigrated to Canada. Peter Oxley
and Bill Bilson formed the soul band The Sparklers with another Oxley sibling, Melanie
.
In late 1987, Jeremy Oxley
attempted to revive The Sunnyboys with a new line-up. The new band signed a deal with RCA
and released an album entitled Wildcat (produced by ex-Sherbert
keyboard player, Garth Porter). The album failed to convince old Sunnyboys fans and the band broke up again in 1990.
In July 1991, Mushroom released the compilation album Plays The Best and the original line-up reunited for a national tour.
After that tour, a couple of Sydney promoters arranged for Jeremy Oxley to play solo gigs, and introduced him to a group of musicians which they attempted to tour as "The Sunnyboys", with Jeremy Oxley as the sole original member.
This group played only a few gigs as The Sunnyboys, after widespread audience discontent and a dispute over the right to use the name. The group then played a handful of gigs as the "Jeremy Oxley Band", performing the songs that later appeared on the Jeremy "Ponytail" Oxley EP titled "A Little Bit Of You In Me". The musicians in the "live" Jeremy Oxley band were replaced for the recording of the EP.
In November 1998 the band reformed for the Mushroom 25 Concert
at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mushroom Records
, organised by Michael Gudinski
. For the concert Burgman was replaced by Jeremy and Peter's younger brother, Tim Oxley on guitar. The Sunnyboys appeared on the original VHS release of the concert and the 2002 re-release CD and DVD. In October 2010, their 1981 debut album, Sunnyboys, was listed in the top 40 in the book, 100 Best Australian Albums
.
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
, power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
band formed in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
in 1980. Fronted by singer-songwriter, guitarist Jeremy Oxley
Jeremy Oxley
Jeremy Oxley was the song-writer, singer and guitarist for 1980s Australian pop-rock band The Sunnyboys.-Biography:Jeremy Oxley grew up in the northern New South Wales town of Kingscliff after his parents, Eric and Jan, moved from Sydney. Jeremy was the second oldest of five children, the others...
, the band "breathed some freshness and vitality into the divergent Sydney scene". Their first two albums, Sunnyboys and Individuals both charted into the Top 30 of the Australian Kent Music Report
Kent Music Report
The Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to 1998...
Albums Chart.
The Sunnyboys produced melodic power pop classics and were rewarded with an immediate positive response.
History
Things happened very quickly for The Sunnyboys, who went from playing inner-city venues to scoring hit singles for the prestigious Mushroom label all within a year of formation. What set the band apart in many ways was Oxley's song writing ability. The chemistry between the four members was perfect too.The Oxley brothers, Jeremy and Peter, and Bill Bilson hailed from the northern New South Wales town of Kingscliff
Kingscliff, New South Wales
Kingscliff is a coastal town just south of Tweed Heads in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia, and is part of Tweed Shire. At the 2006 census, Kingscliff had a population of 6,016 people....
where they played in a garage band called Wooden Horse. The band gained early experience when the students of Tweed River High School were obliged to attend a compulsory concert in school hours arranged by the Oxley's father, who was an Art teacher at the school. Anyone who failed to applaud or was in any way unsupportive was awarded detention. Richard Burgman (Kamikaze Kids) came from Wagga Wagga
Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
Wagga Wagga is a city in New South Wales, Australia. Straddling the Murrumbidgee River, and with an urban population of 46,735 people, Wagga Wagga is the state's largest inland city, as well as an important agricultural, military, and transport hub of Australia...
, and they all met in Sydney in 1979, forming The Sunnyboys.
The band's name was based on an orange flavoured frozen ice treat of the same name. They came in a triangular pyramid shaped ‘tetra-pack’. These ice confections were very popular as a summer treat all over Australia. According to Richard Burgman the band chose the name because it represented ‘bright, happy, young, fun’.
On 15 August 1980, they played their first gig, supporting inner-city faves The Lipstick Killers.
In October of that year the band recorded four songs with Lobby Loyde
Lobby Loyde
Lobby Loyde , also known as John Barrie Lyde or Barry Lyde, was an Australian rock music guitarist, songwriter and producer....
. The tracks, "Love To Rule", "The Seeker", "What You Need" and "Alone With You", all appeared on the band's self-titled and independently released 4-track 7" EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
on Phantom Records
Phantom Records
Phantom Records was an Australian independent record label established by Dare Jennings Phantom Records was an Australian independent record label established by Dare Jennings Phantom Records was an Australian independent record label established by Dare Jennings (founder of Mambo (Clothing) and...
. The initial pressing of 1,000 copies sold out in two weeks.
The Sunnyboys signed to Mushroom Records
Mushroom Records
Mushroom Records is an Australian recoJrd company formed by Michael Gudinski and Ray Evans in Melbourne in 1972. After its sale in 1998, it merged into Festival Mushroom Records. From 2005 to 2009, it is one of the record labels operated by Warner Bros...
in February 1981, becoming the first Sydney-based band on the label, and by July that year had cracked the mainstream charts with the single "Happy Man". The same month they released their own independent EP which was given away at gigs, entitled Happy Birthday containing the tracks "What You Need", "Why Do I Cry?", "I Want To Be Alone" and "Let You Go". Their eponymous debut LP, was recorded at Alberts Studio during May, June and July 1981 with producer/mentor Lobby Loyde
Lobby Loyde
Lobby Loyde , also known as John Barrie Lyde or Barry Lyde, was an Australian rock music guitarist, songwriter and producer....
. The album had an initial print run of 2,000 on yellow vinyl, reached number 13 on the national album charts in October 1981 and remains an Australian classic. The album produced a second hit single, a new version of "Alone With You", which reached number 15 on the national singles chart, establishing The Sunnyboys as a bona fide headline attraction.
In the midst of their heavy touring schedule the band recorded their second album, Individuals (issued May 1982). The album peaked at number 19 and two singles from the record charted briefly: "You Need A Friend" and "This Is Real".
Their fifth single, "Show Me Some Discipline" charted in Sydney only. The band meanwhile travelled to the United Kingdom where they played two sold out shows at the famous Marquee Club
Marquee Club
The Marquee was a music club first located at 165 Oxford Street, London, England when it opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts.It was also the location of the first ever live performance by The Rolling Stones on 12 July 1962....
before recording their 3rd album at Ridgefarm Studios, Surrey. The resultant album, Get Some Fun displayed a greater diversity and more confident musicianship. To coincide with the album's release, the band embarked on their first national Australian tour since May 1983. Unfortunately, neither the LP or the singles from the album ("Love In A Box" and "Comes As No Surprise") charted strongly enough.
Internal dissent also plagued the band and The Sunnyboys announced their break-up in June 1984. Their farewell tour produced the album Real Live which was recorded over two nights in Sydney (29 and 30 June).
In 1985, the French label Closer combined The Sunnyboys' first two albums as a double set entitled Days Are Gone for the European market. Following the demise of The Sunnyboys, Jeremy Oxley launched a new band called Chinless Elite. Shortly thereafter he formed another (and more successful) group, called The Fishermen. This band released one single entitled "Can't You Stop?" on the Waterfront
Waterfront Records
Waterfront Records was an independent record label based in Sydney, that released recordings by some of Australia's most influential bands of the 1980s and 1990s.-History:...
label before calling it a day.
Richard Burgman meanwhile joined The Saints
The Saints (band)
The Saints are an Australian rock band, which formed in Brisbane in 1974 as punk rockers. Founders were Chris Bailey , Ivor Hay , and Ed Kuepper . Alongside mainstay Bailey, the group has had numerous line-ups...
and ultimately Weddings Parties Anything
Weddings Parties Anything
Weddings Parties Anything were an Australian folk rock band formed in 1984 in Melbourne and continuing until 1998. Their name came from The Clash song and musicologist Billy Pinnell described their first album as the best Australian rock debut since Skyhooks' Living in the '70s.-Formation and...
. He later emigrated to Canada. Peter Oxley
Peter Oxley
Peter Oxley was the bass player for 1980s Australian pop-rock band The Sunnyboys.He is credited with writing two songs with The Sunnyboys: "The Stooge" and "You Don't Need Me"...
and Bill Bilson formed the soul band The Sparklers with another Oxley sibling, Melanie
Melanie Oxley
-Biography:Melanie Oxley is the sister of Jeremy Oxley and Peter Oxley, who were founder members of popular Australian pop-rock band The Sunnyboys and younger brother Tim Oxley a musician in his own right....
.
In late 1987, Jeremy Oxley
Jeremy Oxley
Jeremy Oxley was the song-writer, singer and guitarist for 1980s Australian pop-rock band The Sunnyboys.-Biography:Jeremy Oxley grew up in the northern New South Wales town of Kingscliff after his parents, Eric and Jan, moved from Sydney. Jeremy was the second oldest of five children, the others...
attempted to revive The Sunnyboys with a new line-up. The new band signed a deal with RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
and released an album entitled Wildcat (produced by ex-Sherbert
Sherbet (band)
Sherbet was one of the most prominent and successful Australian rock bands of the 1970s. Their biggest singles were "Summer Love" and "Howzat" , both reaching number one in Australia. "Howzat" was also a top 5 hit in the UK. Though the band's success in the U.S...
keyboard player, Garth Porter). The album failed to convince old Sunnyboys fans and the band broke up again in 1990.
In July 1991, Mushroom released the compilation album Plays The Best and the original line-up reunited for a national tour.
After that tour, a couple of Sydney promoters arranged for Jeremy Oxley to play solo gigs, and introduced him to a group of musicians which they attempted to tour as "The Sunnyboys", with Jeremy Oxley as the sole original member.
This group played only a few gigs as The Sunnyboys, after widespread audience discontent and a dispute over the right to use the name. The group then played a handful of gigs as the "Jeremy Oxley Band", performing the songs that later appeared on the Jeremy "Ponytail" Oxley EP titled "A Little Bit Of You In Me". The musicians in the "live" Jeremy Oxley band were replaced for the recording of the EP.
In November 1998 the band reformed for the Mushroom 25 Concert
Mushroom 25 Live
Mushroom 25 Live is a live album, video and DVD by various Australian musicians and was recorded at the Mushroom 25 Concert held on Saturday 14 November 1998, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground...
at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mushroom Records
Mushroom Records
Mushroom Records is an Australian recoJrd company formed by Michael Gudinski and Ray Evans in Melbourne in 1972. After its sale in 1998, it merged into Festival Mushroom Records. From 2005 to 2009, it is one of the record labels operated by Warner Bros...
, organised by Michael Gudinski
Michael Gudinski
Michael Solomon Gudinski, AM is an Australian entrepreneur and businessman currently based in Melbourne who is a leading figure in the Australian music industry...
. For the concert Burgman was replaced by Jeremy and Peter's younger brother, Tim Oxley on guitar. The Sunnyboys appeared on the original VHS release of the concert and the 2002 re-release CD and DVD. In October 2010, their 1981 debut album, Sunnyboys, was listed in the top 40 in the book, 100 Best Australian Albums
100 Best Australian Albums
100 Best Australian Albums is a compendium of rock and pop albums of the past 50 years as compiled by music journalists Toby Creswell, Craig Mathieson and John O'Donnell. The book was published on 25 October 2010 by Hardie Grant Books...
.
Members
- Bill Bilson — drums (1980–84, 91, 98)
- Richard Burgman — guitar (1980–84, 91)
- Nick Freedman — guitar (1987–89)
- Peter Hincenbergs — drums (1987–89)
- Jeremy OxleyJeremy OxleyJeremy Oxley was the song-writer, singer and guitarist for 1980s Australian pop-rock band The Sunnyboys.-Biography:Jeremy Oxley grew up in the northern New South Wales town of Kingscliff after his parents, Eric and Jan, moved from Sydney. Jeremy was the second oldest of five children, the others...
— guitar, vocals (1980–84, 87-89, 91, 98) - Peter OxleyPeter OxleyPeter Oxley was the bass player for 1980s Australian pop-rock band The Sunnyboys.He is credited with writing two songs with The Sunnyboys: "The Stooge" and "You Don't Need Me"...
— bass (1980–84, 91, 98) - Tim Oxley — guitar (1998)
- Phil Smith — bass (1987–89)
Albums
- Sunnyboys (Limited Edition Yellow Vinyl) – MushroomMushroom RecordsMushroom Records is an Australian recoJrd company formed by Michael Gudinski and Ray Evans in Melbourne in 1972. After its sale in 1998, it merged into Festival Mushroom Records. From 2005 to 2009, it is one of the record labels operated by Warner Bros...
(L37634) (September 1981) - Sunnyboys – MushroomMushroom RecordsMushroom Records is an Australian recoJrd company formed by Michael Gudinski and Ray Evans in Melbourne in 1972. After its sale in 1998, it merged into Festival Mushroom Records. From 2005 to 2009, it is one of the record labels operated by Warner Bros...
(L37696) (September 1981) AUSKent Music ReportThe Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to 1998...
No. 13 - Individuals – Mushroom (L37835) (May 1982) AUS No. 23
- Days Are Gone (Sunnyboys and Individuals repackaged) – Closer Records (CL 0036) (European release only, 1984)
- Get Some Fun – Mushroom (RML 53129) (1984) AUS No. 36
- Real Live Sunnyboys – Mushroom (L38259) (1984)
- Wildcat – RCA RecordsRCARCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
(VLPI 0806) (1989) AUS No. 81 - Plays The Best – Mushroom (D24501) (15 August 1991) AUSARIA ChartsThe ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
No. 75 - Shakin: Live August 1991 – PhantomPhantom RecordsPhantom Records was an Australian independent record label established by Dare Jennings Phantom Records was an Australian independent record label established by Dare Jennings Phantom Records was an Australian independent record label established by Dare Jennings (founder of Mambo (Clothing) and...
(PHCD-16) (1993) - This Is Real: Singles/Live/Rare – Feel Presents/Shock RecordsShock RecordsShock Records is Australia's largest independent record label. It helps distribute records from overseas records labels such as Epitaph Records, and also for small record labels designed specifically for that band such as Cement Records...
(FEEL002) (13 September 2004)
Extended plays
- Sunnyboys – Phantom (PH-7) (December 1980)
- Sunnyboys (Limited Edition Remixed 12” E.P) – Phantom (PH-11) (July 1981)
- Happy Birthday – Mushroom (SMX 57856) (1981)
Singles
- "Happy Man / Tomorrow Will Be Fine // Thrill / Why Do I Cry" (Cassette) – Mushroom (C12001) (June 1981)
- "Happy Man"/"Tomorrow Will Be Fine" – Mushroom (K8335) (June 1981) AUSKent Music ReportThe Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to 1998...
No. 26 - "Alone with You"/"Stop and Think"/"To the Bone" – Mushroom (K8476) (Oct 1981) AUS No. 28
- "You Need a Friend"/"No Love Around" – Mushroom (K8683) (May 1982) AUS No. 38
- "This Is Real"/"Pain" – Mushroom (K8832) (Aug 1982)
- "Show Me Some Discipline"/"Guts of Iron" – Mushroom (K9142) (June 1983) AUS No. 44
- "Love in a Box"/"Physical Jerk" – Mushroom (K9363) (Feb 1984) AUS No. 46
- "Comes As No Surprise"/"Bottom of My Heart" – Mushroom (K9422) (May 1984) AUS No. 99
- "Show Me Some Discipline"/"To the Bone"/"Stop and Think"/"I'm Shaking" – Closer (CL 1245) (France - 1985)
- "You Need a Friend"/"Physical Jerk" – Closer (CL 0742) (1985)
- "Too Young to Despair"/"Changing" – RCA (104988) (December 1988) AUS No. 74
- "Sinful Me"/"Baby Did Leave" – RCA (105058) (June 1989)
- "Sad Girl"/"Sad Girl" (live) – RCA (105090) (August 1989)
- "Sorrow Is Mine"/"New Confusions" – RCA (105122) (October 1989)
- "Alone with You"/Stop and Think"/"To the Bone" – Mushroom (MUSH01823.2) (23 October 1998)
External links
- Sunnyboys website
- Nostalgia Central - Artist Profile - The Sunnyboys
- Faster Louder Ineterview with Peter Oxley (24 September 2004)
- Feelpresents website - The Sunnyboys - Review
- Australia Music Online - artist profile
- dBMagazine - The Sunnyboys
- Interview with Peter Oxley (14 September 2004)
- Interview with Richard Burgman (21 September 2004
- Sunnyboys - RetroUniverse