Sunnyboys returning to The Factory Theatre

Arts & Entertainment Music Sound

Kent Burgess
July 2, 2022

Sunnyboys have been rocking Sydney stages for over four decades now. Unlike much younger bands still working to carve out their own spot in Sydney’s thriving music scene Sunnyboys have now transitioned into a mode where they simply play for the joy.

Speaking to City Hub ahead of two back-to-back concerts at The Factory Theatre the band’s bassist Peter Oxley reflected on the groups career.

Coming in 1979 the power-pop band consisted of four friends; singer-songwriter/guitarist Jeremy Oxley, bass guitarist/backing vocals Peter Oxley, drummer Bil Bilson, and lead guitarist Richard Burgman. At that time the band breathed freshness and vitality into the divergent Sydney scene. Sadly though just as the band was beginning to make bigger waves they needed to step back & take a hiatus.

“We didn’t play for a very long time,” explained Peter. “We stopped playing 1984 & didn’t play properly again until 2012 because my brother Jeremy, who is the singer & main songwriter, suffers from schizophrenia & was very ill for a long long time.”

Thankfully for fans of Sunnyboys this breakup wouldn’t be permanent. As Peter continued to tell City Hub, “When Jeremy was in a better place mentally & health wise in 2010 he wanted to get the band back together. So since 212 we’ve been getting back together & doing a tour every year.”

Given that Peter says the band is only performing when they “feel like playing” you might think that they would require a number of rehearsals before stepping onto the live stage. However, “It’s like we’ve all been married to each other since we were 20 years old… so it’s like nothing has ever changed,” said Peter.

Over the years Sunnyboys have been afforded some incredibly rare opportunities to play some of Sydney’s most iconic music venues, such as the Sydney Opera House & Taronga Zoo. While Peter says the band realise they have been “very lucky” to have these opportunities the shows like their upcoming concerts at The Factory Theatre are where they find the most joy.

“We feel really comfortable in those smaller venues we’re you are closer to the audience,” Peter said excitedly. “You get sweatier & lose a few kilos every time you play… so it feels like it’s more rock & roll.”

In terms of what fans can expect from these concerts Peter said, “You’ll hear all of the hits & we’ll be playing our little hearts out.”