For any band trying to create and release a new album the amount of work required seems exceptional but for Nelson band Sunshine Drive, the hard work and practice was worth it.
The band released their first album at CD release party at The Royal last week.
“We have fans at every gig we play at,” said bassist Phill Wilson-Birks.
Wilson-Birks joined Sunshine Drive nearly a year and a half ago after moving to Nelson.
“When we first got here I wanted to get connected to the music community. I knew there was a big community here so I started going to the jams,” said Wilson-Birks. “I got on as a regular part of the band at The Royal and Finleys and was part of the jam for over a year every Tuesday.”
He began playing with existing band member and guitarist Steve Garth and eventually joined the band.
The other members — guitarist Grant Sutherland and drummer Bonnie Johnson — have each brought something different to the band creating what has been described as their “genre bending” sound.
“My inspiration came from the late ‘60s, early ‘70s,” said Wilson-Birks. “I listened to a lot of British blues and psychedelic rock. I listened to a lot of Cream, Led Zepplin, The Who and all the classic people. If you look at all those bass players they were really laying down a heavy foundation.”
The music on Sunshine Drive’s album Borrowed Time covers ska, reggae, blues, jazz, rock and R&B.
“All the songs are very different but you can tell it’s the same band because it’s the same feel. It’s the same vibe and feel,” said Wilson-Birks. “We’re kind of like the hospital food of music, trying to please as many people as you can.”
Sunshine Drive regularly appears on stage at The Royal. Their new album is available at Eddy Music and will soon be available on iTunes.