Sunnshine

Sunnshine’s roots began when guitarist Buddy Apostolis and bass player Josh Kayer moved to Richmond, VA and started the band 454. Soon after the spawning of 454, loft mates Buzz-oven asked Buddy to join and record the Roadrunner release “Sore” and to complete a four month tour. After a short lived career with Buzz-oven, Buddy left the band and gave his old 454 bandmates a phone call. They all decided to start playing again and rather than starting where they had left off with 454 they decided to start a new band namem Sunnshine. The first three months the line up was Josh, Buddy, and Eric Josephson on drums. When it was time to get a second guitarist Eric suggested Bill Storms (ex-Alabama Thunderpussy) to create an even bigger sound. Once all of the musical elements were in place the band found singer Joe Deleon. Joe had been working at a ski resort in West Virginia when he was contacted about trying out for Sunnshine. The guys in Sunnshine had heard a demo of Joe’s old band Dead Man Walking and thought his style of vocals would fit perfectly with Sunnshine’s sound. Joe traveled to Richmond and tried out for Sunnshine. At the first rehearsal he belted out lyrics over the music that was so intense and a perfect fit for the sound they were after he was immediately asked to join the band. Eric stayed in the band long enough to complete the first demo and also their first show. He left the band for personal reasons and drummer Kenny Wagner (Sixty Watt Shamen, Half Way to Gone, Honkey) joined the lineup to fulfill a list of already booked shows. Kenny soon packed up and headed to Austin, Texas where he now plays with the band Honkey. Kevin "Whita Whita Cabinet" White stepped to take Kenny's place and became the permanent drummer.Sunnshine’s buzz was huge from the begining and they had the opportunity to share the stage with bands like Machine Head, Karma to Burn, Clutch, and Shine (Spirit Caravan). After a packed show with West Virgina’s Karma to Burn singer Joe Deleon was asked to try out as a vocalist for their upcoming Roadrunner records debut. Karma to Burn had been an instrumental band for years but Roadrunner suggested they get a singer to broaden their audience. After a weekend spent recording and jamming with Karma to Burn Joe decided to stay with Sunnshine because he felt something very special about the band.The line up stayed the same for several years until Buddy was replaced by guitarist Jeff Srsic from the band Season of The Witch. Sunnshine had played a few shows together with SOTW and asked Jeff to try out for them when they needed a replacement. With this new line up Sunnshine would go on to play many more shows and began recording new material. Sunnshine’s buzz continued to grow and they went on to showcase for just about every major label record company. Everyone loved Sunnshine’s sound and the were once labeled “the best unsigned band in rock music.” Unfortunately the long slow heavy songs Sunnshine was producing would not be very commercially appealing to the masses. Around this same time Sunnshine was approached by Underdogma records and decided to put out an EP of some previously recorded material. In 2001 Underdogma Records released the 4 song EP Engender.After yet another line up change Sunnshine played shows and won over rock critics and industry players. In 2001 with the abence of Bill Storms and newly acquired guitarist Chris Mcphereson, Sunnshine headed to Austin, Texas to play the annual SXSW festival. Sunnshine managed to get the interest of A&R from Maverick Records. With the help of managers Jeff Rabhan and Kevin Held, Sunnshine soon landed a demo deal that placed them in a big studio with a real producer . Around the same time Sunnshine was getting ready to head out on a US and Canadian tour with Throttlerod. While on tour Sunnshine showcased for a few producers at the Viper Room in Hollywood,CA. Joe Baressi was the top pick because of his work with Kyuss, Queens of the Stoneage, and Melvins. Within weeks of returning from the tour Sunnshine headed to Van Nuys, CA to begin recording tracks at the legendary Sound City Studios. Sunnshine recorded three tracks and began shopping the songs to several major labels. Every label past on Sunnshine yet again because of the lack of commercially structured material. Sunnshine headed back to Richmond, VA to begin writing more material in hopes of landing some sort of recording deal. After several more demos and shows Sunnshine was broke and frustrated and decided to call it quits. Josh Kayer and Jeff Srsic went on to start a new band called Last Crash that is currently recording and playing shows. Drummer Kevin White is now playing for Throttlerod and guitarist Chris Mcphereson started a new band called Halo of Locusts with Lamb of Gods front man Randy Blythe. Singer Joe Deleon is currently living in North Carolina and has not yet started any new projects.