HAILING from northern Scandinavia, 5 guys take over to conquer the world' with their 
    rock power... melodious and heavy riffs combined with lots of other elements which 
    divide SUNRIDE from the people who are just trying to make good music, these 
    boys do and they are more than just a normal "stoner rock" band! so we asked them 
    some questions by mail and WILLE answered us... enjoy,. 

   
    Where, When and how Sunride was born? 

    Sunride was born in 1996 in Jyväskylä, Finland. We were five childhood friends who wanted 
    to form a band and find out how to do music of your own. And so we did.

    How would you best describe your music and who do you think it would appeal to?

    It's heavy, very riff-ridden and downtuned rockmusic with a lot of melodies and a slight
    touch of metal. That's how I would propably describe it to a stranger. I think our music 
    can appeal to any fan of harder music. It's enough rock to rockers and enough heavy to 
    metalheads. But also enough melodic and simple for anyone to understand.

    What are your influences and what do you think about all those stoner-rock bands?

    This might sound a bit of a cliche but today I basically take influences from our own
    mistakes. I mean, there's no need to sound like your favourite band anymore ; It's more
    interesting to take notice from your own mistakes and try to make those things better and
    better all the time. Live and learn. However, to be honest Xysma and Entombed are maybe 
    the reason why we play this kind of music even though I'm not sure if those influences are
    visible in Sunride's music anymore. Stoner-rock bands? Hmm...I love Dozer. I think they're 
    great. I also like the new El Caco record. But yeah, it's a dying scene I think. 
 

People usually say you are a stoner-rock band. Do you like this definition and Do you think Sunride is in the stoner-scene? Haha, I don't think any band likes that term! It's too limited expression for us don't you think? For me the word "stonerrock" just brings to mind all these average bands who want to sound like Fu Manchu or Kyuss and that's really not what Sunride's about. Hell, we don't even use fuzz pedals, how stoner is that? But yeah, we seem to be a part of the stoner scene anyway but that doesn't bother us. It's nice that those people support us.

    Well, let's get into a nice little conversation about your new album... I think you guys have 
    done a quiet good job, how long did it take to get the songs on CD?

    Composing took 2 years I think. We are very slow composing new songs. Don't know
    why, it's just always been like that. We recorded and mixed the whole thing in 2 weeks 
    here in Jyväskylä and then mastered it in Helsinki. That's about it, I guess.

    If you compare your latest work to your older releases, do you see any differences or 
    would you say nothing has changed?

    There is more melancholy and heaviness than before. The first album was a plain rock record
    but this one is a rock record with a dark, almost metallic edge at times. I don't know...to me 
    everythings just better; better songs and better sound. Also, Jani sings better than ever 
    before I think.

    How important is progress for you (as a band)? 

    Very. You know, if we wouldn't progress, I wouldn't even be in this band. It would be so 
    boring to be in that kind of band. When composing new songs, I am extremely critical about 
    not repeating ourselves.

    How often do you guys practice, and how does the song writing happen?

    We live in 3 different cities so unfortunately we don't rehearse as much right now as 
    I'd hope we would. But yeah, just about enough to keep it in order. The songwriting 
    goes so that I do riffs first, then I show 'em to the drummer and maybe record them with 
    our 4-tracker or something. Then in the next rehearsals we arrange the instrumental song
    together and play it to our singer who adds whatever he wants to. 

    What are some of the main common musical influences between all the members of sunride?

    Bands we all like, you ask? Hmmm...Entombed, Xysma, Turbonegro, Nine, Endstand, Isis, 
    At The Gates, The Cardigans, Kiss, DJ Shadow, The Misfits...these are all bands that you 
    will most propably hear played in the stereo if you come to a Sunride homeparty...:)
 

What kind of rock scene is      happening in your home town?     The scene's good actually. Apart      from Sunride there's Timo Rautiainen      and Trio Niskalaukaus who are      fucking huge in Finland. Then we      have Zerocharisma, Purity and      Plutonium Orange. All cool rockbands.      We have also few very good venues      here, the leader being Lutakko      (www.jelmu.net) where I work      myself.

    How did you get in contact with PEOPLE LIKE YOU records?

    They sent us email few years ago if we could send them a demo because they've heard
    rumours that we're good. So we sent them our first MCD and they liked it, licenced it and
    since then we've been signed to them. They're a good label for us for now anyways and 
    nice people too. 

    We got a section in our magazine called "crimes in the past...", so have you commited any 
    funny crime when you were younger?

    Oh damn it, what a question!  hehe... You know, we were horrible criminal kids!
    I don't know if it's funny but I've stolen a few bicycles younger. And one time my Mom said 
    she'd found a bike. I think she stole it. That's funny. 

    Do you have any upcoming tour plans, maybe Germany?

    Yeah, later this year but I don't know exactly when or with whom. We'll see!!

    frankie.