19 August 2022 – The Princess Theatre, Brisbane – words and pictures by Bec Lee
Someone in the crowd at the stunning Princess Theatre is talking about being “just as excited” waiting for the Sunnyboys to arrive on stage than they were when they saw them in the early 80s. For most of us ageing fans, it’s not quite the same as being a teenager or in our early 20s standing at the front at say, the Playroom (God rest its soul). But there is so much love in the room for these 80s indie superstars, and we still have the support act to enjoy anyway!
Local favourites Mick Medew and the Mesmerisers do not disappoint, with their glorious 60s garage rock, flawless musicianship, and a healthy dose of their own offerings mixed with a couple of covers. We’re treated to a fabulous cover of the Stone’s ‘Paint it Black’, and their set is never complete without The Screaming Tribesmen’s ‘Date with a Vampire Girl’ – for those who don’t know, this was Mick’s band from 1979-1998.
Mick Medew is a very quiet guy in person, but on stage he sticks out his tongue, gets right up the front of the stage and does the “rock pose” with his guitar, and never misses a chance to take the piss out of himself. Tonight, he quips that his “teeth and hair are having a race to see which one can disappear first!” Many of us can relate, Mick!
The Sunnyboys arrive on stage to a packed-out Princess Theatre whose punters are all casting their minds back to 1981, the year the band’s debut was released. They kick off though with one of their first tracks, ‘Love to Rule’, which appeared on the band’s self-titled and independently released EP from 1980. From here on in, they offer up everything that is great about all their other releases, a wonderful mix of gems that the crowd lap up. Lots of dancing is going on, with the crowd a sea of men wearing flower or paisley shirts, and women who fancied singer Jeremy Oxley in the 80s.
This band can still play just as well as they always did, with Jeremy Oxley’s jaw-dropping guitar-playing perhaps outshining his vocals this evening. His brother Peter Oxley’s throbbing basslines are still very much a stand-out. They’re not the most dynamic band onstage, but their songs carry them far, and their vocal harmonies are still impressive 40 years later.
Saving perhaps the best until last, the magnificent ‘Alone with You’ ends with some gorgeous stage lighting, and by then Jeremy opts to sit down as he closes out the lead guitar finale. The crowd are happy and satisfied and the final note of the Sunnyboy’s iconic signature song is met with a chorus of screaming and whooping. Glancing at the merchandise booth, Sunnyboys T-shirts seem to be selling out – another indication of fan’s undying devotion to this band. Still so much love.
What a band, what an evening. Let’s hope they keep going for a while yet.
