13 February 2007 (gig)
20 February 2007
The Sunshiners are a handful of French Reggae lovers and four rich-voiced Vanuatuan singers, Gero Iaviniau, John Kapala (not present on the night), Ben Siro and Jake Moses. Each a leader of separate local bands, spread amongst the archipelago’s islands. Together these guys have adapted some of the best known 80’s British pop songs with an infectious blend of traditional Polynesian vibes and unstoppable Reggae. The result really works! In Venuatu, Reggae reigns supreme and the legend that has left his mark on the beaches and hearts of the people is Bob Marley and it shines through in their music.
The Jazz Café wasn’t that busy on a cold Tuesday night, but when the band arrived on stage things quickly started to warm up. Kicking things off with a great cover of the classic 80’s song 'She Drives Me Crazy’, originally by The Fine Young Cannibals. By the third song, 'Change Your Heart’, everybody was skankin away fuled by the deep Reggae bass (and probably a few beers). Things got even better as the night drew out with brilliant covers of 'In Between Days’ by The Cure and 'Sledgehammer’ by Peter Gabriel. Half way through the gig we were treated to an original Sunshiners acoustic number about their experiences so far in Europe.
Between songs the band talked a bit about their history and how they came together and kept the audience involved throughout. With a bass filled encore of 'Notorious’ and 'Everytime You Go Away’ the night was over. A really good night was had by all and the unusual sound of The Sunshiners went down a treat.
