Sunnyboys' Sunnyboys

Against a backwash of new wave 'synthesiser' bands, Sunnyboys presented a fresh alternative of surf-injected power pop with Beatlesque fashion, catchy riffs, hook line choruses and memorable guitar solos. Featuring interviews with the band members, management and fans, the book captures early 1980s coastal Australia and provides a reflective deep dive into the band's self-titled debut album Sunnyboys. From the blistering lead guitar on the opening track 'I Can't Talk To You', the driving beat of 'Happy Man', the classic singalong anthem of 'Alone With You' and the surfing guitar solo of 'Tunnel of my Love', this (mostly) upbeat album transforms the listener into a hypnotic trance with the final reprise demanding another play through. Written by a teenage Jeremy Oxley, the lyrics rip to the very core of themes and feelings of love, loss, heartbreak and trepidation experienced by the author, along with so many other teenagers, at the time.

Stephen Bruel gained his PhD in music production and remastering from Queensland University of Technology, Australia, where his research afforded him the opportunity to work with his favorite Australian band Sunnyboys. Prior to this, Stephen worked in the music industry as a journalist, recording engineer and a signed artist. He is the author of Remastering Music and Cultural Heritage: Case Studies from Iconic Original Recordings to Modern Remasters (2023).

Prologue: a rotten Christmas 1 1980s Sydney 2 Sunnyboys on Countdown 3 'Alone With You' 4 Sunnyboys album 5 Power pop 6 Lobby Loyde (producer) 7 The songs 8 Sunnyboys origins: surfing and guitar 9 Sunnyboys form in Sydney 10 Sunnyboys live 11 Sunnyboys (reprise)