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ARTS Sunrise East set to face off in band c By Stephanie Hounseli CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF After a couple of volatile years, it seems progressive/alternative rock band Sunrise East bas finally found ils groove. That's no small feat after enduring a seemingly constant turnover, with members coming and going, quitting and being asked to leave. "I think me and Bill have demanding per- sonalities," laughed Joseph Lee, who, along witb Billy Morton, are the two original mcm- bers of the four-person band. Joining thcm last ycar stas hass player Keavin Moore and drummer Colin Christie. Having an ever-changing group hasn't been easy Its forced incoming members to leamn on tbe fly and bas pushed ail of their talents to the limit. A few of them even had to take on new roles in an effort to fIll in gaps. In one instance, the band's singer was let go not long before a big show, leaving Joseph and Billy in the lurch. The pair, boîh guitarists, neyer intended to sing with the band. But thaî's exactly what they found themnselves doing. "We had t0 step up and take the vocals for our own songs," joseph said. And they liked the results. in the end, they believe alI the changes were necessary to gel where they are now "It helped us form. a strong band," Joseph said. Billy agreed. "This is exacîly the right band mix." Now having a degree of stabiliîy, the bandmates - alI 17 years old and students of Bishop Reding Secondary School - have spent the past few months writing songs, performing and enjoying the relative case they've found among îhemselves. LKIC. 1<IeHL / 5PECIAL TO THE CHAMPION RIEADY FOR BAlTIE: Sunrise East is Miton's representation in Metrolands Best of the West battle of the bands competition. Voting will start Monday. From left are band members Colin Christie (drums), Keavin Moore (bass), Bill Morion (guitar) and ioe Lee (guitar). "We're ail just along for the ride," Billy said. Sunrise East has bçen acclaimed Miltons winner in Metrolands Best of the West battle of the bands, a joint effort by the Champion, Oaks'ille Beaver, Burlington Post and Flamborough Review. The contest was open t0 -bands - whose members are between 15 and 25. Starîing Monday, the band will face off SIL PLANTS q1we7" - qmWs Anwmmets - lZems HALF PRICE Everything in Stock - Haif off List ONE DAY-ONLY Saturday, Feb 27th, 9 titi 3 yourEarth.com 295 Alliance Rd., # 15, Milton. 905 636 0391 L~c online against the winners from Burlington and Oakville - We Are Bravest and Aspektz, respectively Flamborough didn't receive any entries. Readers can view the semni-finalists' YouTube video submnissions and vote for their favourites until Friday, Mar. 12 at www.miltoncanadianchampion.com. Click on the Metrolands Best of the West logo midway dlown the right side of the website. ompetition The band with thc most votes will be 0 crowned the winner in mid-March. It will Zn~ have a chance to play at the Burlington > Sound ol Music Festival, which runs fromnt lune 17 to 20, and will he featured in the participating newspapers. As a fledgling band just starting to make a name for itself, the opportunity to play at the upcoming music festival would certainly be a welcome one for Sunrise East. "We just really need to get a fan base going," said Keavin, who joined last April.I "It's been kind of a slow start, but we'll build up soon enough." Keavin said hc was lamiliar with Sunrise East whcn he was asked 10 join after the hand's hass player lefi. "Id sccn a coup)le of thcir shows and kind of liked their soun, said Ilhe lon-g-timc gunaisi. "Thics just told In Io 111 o îlwc ha,, aidt I dcl Colin joined last (Xmohcr, ousi a nonth- and-a-half before thc bands most important show 10 date in front of label representatives at The Opera House in Toronto. 'Ive had to learn quickly,- Colin said - not that he's complaining. "The only boond- anies you have are the ones you put on your- self." Sunrise East's sound is a product of its members' diverse musical tastes. joseph likes listening to Indian classical music, while Billy gravitates toward metal and pro- gressive rock. Keavin is into "avant garde alternative," while Colin is into a bit of everything. "We've ail melded together and formed a sound we think is different," Joseph said. "We worked for a long lime finding an orig- inal sound." They write ail their own music. The song îhey submnitted to Best of the West is writîen by joseph and entitled Calliope - who in Greek mythology is the muse of beroic poetry and lover of war god Ares. "Joe's a preîty driving creative force in the band," Billy said. Stephanie Hounscil can be reachcd ai sthiessenCa4miloncaniadianichampion. com. 9 a. . to1pm.(uc Iludd Your Host: Seant Jamnes fromn Ferngridge Landscapinjïign " The Costis1 only $40 *Learn HOW ta think about these " Prioritizing projecîs situations Principais of design: texture, " What to kepp and what ta ditch balance views, continuity " Sustainabie techniques (samne) Uring photos le: views you'd l1ke ta bide and views you'd like ta use, i.e. nIce trees, park land etc. J