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, Rovi
