Finnish alternative rockers
Sunrise Avenue favor a brand of melodic semi-hard rock with apparent influences ranging from
Pearl Jam to
Bon Jovi. Formed in Helsinki in 2002, the band consists of singer, songwriter, and guitarist
Samu Haber, lead guitarist
Janne Karkkainen, keyboardist
Jukka Backlund, bassist
Raul Ruutu, and drummer
Sami Osala. After signing to EMI worldwide in 2005,
Sunrise Avenue released their debut single, "All Because of You," in early 2006. This was followed by "Romeo" and the European hit "Fairy Tale Gone Bad," before
Sunrise Avenue's debut album, On the Way to Wonderland, was released in the fall of 2006. The album achieved gold record status in their native Finland and won
Sunrise Avenue four trophies at the NRJ Radio Awards, the Nordic equivalent of the Grammys, including Best Album and Best New Artist. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide