Interview with Sunbeam overdrive
Sunbeam overdrive are a progressive metal band from France, they formed in 2019 mixing progressive metal and 90s alternative rock
Photo credit: Elusive Daeva
Alicia
Can you Introduce the band?
Sunbeam Overdrive
We are Sunbeam Overdrive, hailing from Marseille, south of France, and we play a blend of proggy/90s alternative rock, with a touch of modern tones like djent or neo prog. If you’re into bands like Soundgarden, Tool, Pantera, Car Bomb or Karnivool, you might want to give us a listen!
Alicia
Where did the name come from?
Sunbeam overdrive
« Sunbeam Overdrive » is a song from one of Tom’s former projects, about speed racing records established at Lake Bonneville (Utah, USA). « Sunbeam » is one of the car brands that were involved and « Overdrive » hints at the blinding sun reflecting upon the endless horizons of the salty lake.
Alicia
You have an album coming out can you tell us about the recording process?
Sunbeam overdrive
Tom, the lead guitarist and backing vocalist, is the main composer. The entire album production relies on preproductions that he does at home. The very same sessions are modified by replacing obsolete files with final takes, and this goes from demo to final album. Drums were recorded in MIDI through an electronic drumkit, so as to have the freedom to add quality soundbanks where/when needed.Bass was recorded with an old Mesa Boogie 400+ and a 6x10 Ampeg. Guitars were recorded with a Mesa V-Twin preamp via a Ceriatone Overtone Special amp and a 4x12 Laney. And the vocals were recorded using a Medjaï standing in front of a mic! #egyptianstyle
Alicia
Do you have plans to tour this release?
Sunbeam overdrive
Well we have a couple of shows in our region right after the release, especially an exciting night opening for ten56 at Toulon’s Omega Live venue. Beyond that, we will be looking into our possibilities to work with a booking agency to get on tour in other parts of France and beyond borders, because the sunbeam needs to travel across Europe soon !
Alicia
Can you tell us about the music scene where you’re from?
Sunbeam overdrive
Marseille is the 2 nd biggest city in France, and is famous for providing many of France’s big rap names. However we have a vibrant rock, metal and punk scene, especially underground, with a few references like Landmvrks, Eths, Acod, and more… It’s actually an interesting time for the scene right now, and not only in Marseille or in France, because there’s a trend now in pop culture and in this post-covid era that is making rock and metal « cool » again, especially among youth, like they are hungry for the intensity of the sound and experience that amplified live music can give you. I think good days are ahead of us, and we’re glad to be part of that.
Alicia
Was music something you’ve always wanted to do?
Sunbeam overdrive
Tom originally wanted to be a rally driver, but then he realized it was a difficult career so he went for something easier: becoming a rockstar. As for Karim, the band’s vocalist, as a kid he was all into paleontology and archaeology, really digging (pun intended) dinosaurs, pharaohs (growing up in Egypt obviously…) and history in general. But when he was 13, he heard Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” played on the radio on the way to school, and he instantly knew that’s what he wanted to do, one way or another.
You can check out Sunbeam overdrives music and social links below