wide-trax >>> the blue sunrays

The Blue Sunrays, hailing from the depths of Detroit, Michigan, are currently touting the release of their new EP, 'The Sugar Bowl EP,' which features a taste of material from their LP in progress, 'The El Patio Motel,' as well as two previously unrecorded songs. With a sound that ranges from the explosive to the ethereal, the sublime to the blistering, The Blue Sunrays have spent the last several years merging a brand of hard-edged rock with indie elements of space, pop and psychedelia. Refining that sound in the gritty bars and clubs of Detroit, from the now-closed Lili's 21 to The Old Miami to The Detroit Art Space, the band has complimented and added a unique twist to the city's ever-developing music scene.

The Blue Sunrays are led by Christian Muller, whose feverish vocals, eccentric songwriting, and constant pursuit of the unexpected has kept the band moving towards the experimental and decisively away from the typical. Besides attending a Jimi Hendrix concert in utero, Christian has played in such notable bands as Juicy, the Sturgeon Generals, One Bad Apple, and Beastulax.

Ambient textures, noise-laden samples, rock'n'roll riffs, and occasional vocals are furnished by multi-instrumentalist, Bryan Foreman, who can be seen bouncing from sampler to keyboard to guitar during live shows. Bryan's ambidextrous approach supplies the band with a well-rounded sound both live and on tape. Rudy Rivera, the band's drummer, relocated to Detroit from Chicago where he spent six years involved in the indie music scene. While In Chi-Town, Rudy played and toured with such bands as Jupiter Down, Fall of Rome, Audible Life Stream, and recorded with Bob Weston at Steve Albini's Electrical Audio. Rudy has been playing and recording with The Blue Sunrays since the spring of 2003, his powerful attack and intricate style adding considerable potency to the band's sound.

Having joined up with Christian during the formation of the now-defunct Juicy, Cris Nugent is currently The Blue Sunrays' bassist and back-up singer. Making up the other half of the formidable rhythm section, Cris provides the foundation upon which even the most erratic of band's sounds can ride, and does so with a flair for the 60's and 70's Brit Rock that informs and influences his playing.

After the release of 'The Sugar Bowl EP,' the band will continue working on their first full-length album, The El Patio Motel. The album will consist of a cycle of songs exploring the nature of personality, and will feature many fine guest musicians.