Forty-five years after the release of one of Australia’s most influential debut albums, Sunnyboys are marking the milestone with an expansive vinyl box set and a special one-off Australian performance in Brisbane.
Released through Warner Music Australia on Friday 23 October, the Sunnyboys 45th Anniversary 4LP Box Set is a vinyl-only collection celebrating the band’s extraordinary first year. The set features the original 1981 self-titled album alongside the band’s legendary 1980 Phantom Records EP, the complete 17-track pre-album demo sessions making their vinyl debut, and a previously unreleased live recording captured at Sydney’s Governors Pleasure in February 1981.
The collection also includes interview excerpts with former Triple J presenter Stuart Matchett recorded around the album’s original release, as well as rare memorabilia including pages from a scrapbook kept by drummer Bil Bilson’s mother, creating an intimate portrait of one of Australian music’s defining bands.
Released in September 1981, Sunnyboys remains one of Australia’s greatest debut albums. Featuring enduring classics including Happy Man and Alone With You—later covered by artists including Jimmy Little and Paul Kelly—the album blended infectious power-pop melodies with the energy of Sydney’s late-1970s underground scene. Guided by the emotionally direct songwriting of then 19-year-old Jeremy Oxley, the record continues to resonate with generations of Australian music fans.
“Something about this music hits you in the guts, the heart and the head. It says it all you need to know about being young and alive, with all those doubts, joys, heartache and hope. And it rocks.” — Noel Mengel, Courier Mail
One night only in Brisbane
To coincide with the box set’s release, Sunnyboys will reunite for an exclusive Australian performance at Brisbane’s Roma Street Parkland on Friday 23 October, headlining the annual 4ZZZ ZED51 celebrations.
Joining them on the bill are acclaimed Australian acts The Clouds, vSpy vSpy, and Mick Medew & Ursula 4.
Jeremy Oxley reflected on the band’s enduring legacy:
“We were always after world domination and Australia is the world to me… so I’m grateful that we haven’t been forgotten!”
Event details
Sunnyboys
with The Clouds, vSpy vSpy and Mick Medew & Ursula 4
Friday 23 October
Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane
5:00pm – 10:00pm
Tickets go on sale Thursday 9 July at 10:00am AEST via Oztix.
Supporting artists
The reunion bill showcases three celebrated Australian acts spanning multiple decades.
The Clouds remain one of Australia’s most revered alternative rock bands, with the songwriting partnership of Jodi Phillis and Trish Young continuing to impress both longtime fans and new audiences since the band’s reunion in 2011.
vSpy vSpy celebrate the 40th anniversary of their landmark 1986 releases Harry’s Reasons and A.O. Mod. TV. Vers., albums whose political themes remain as relevant today as when they first emerged from Sydney’s inner-city music scene.
Opening the evening are Brisbane favourites Mick Medew & Ursula 4, featuring former Screaming Tribesmen frontman Mick Medew performing a set that revisits Screaming Tribesmen classics alongside newer material.
The Sunnyboys 45th Anniversary 4LP Box Set is released Friday 23 October, with pre-orders opening soon.
For more information, visit Sunnyboys on Facebook or Feel Presents.
