Old rock n’ rollers never die; they just become sex toy salesmen. If that’s not exactly how the saying goes, it’s at least accurate for Gary Sunshine.
Sunshine, who manages purchasing operations at Lion’s Den stores in the Midwest, has seen the inside of as many famous rock venues as sex shops. This New York-born, Ohio-livin’ guitarist, singer and songwriter has played in bands since age 18, and if you’ve been following him on social media, you already know he just recorded a new album in Los Angeles.
I work for some incredible people. Michael Moran, [Lion’s Den] founder and owner, has been supportive and gracious throughout, as has Mark Miller, our vice president.
At the peak of his current Midwestern life, Sunshine focuses on raising his two daughters and supporting a massive retail team that appreciates his time on the job as well as on the stage. If you really prod him about it, Sunshine might admit he’d rather have been a world-famous, career rock star, but all in all, he’s pretty happy with how things turned out.
“I started playing guitar at 11 or 12, wishing I was either Elvis or one of the Rolling Stones,” recalled Sunshine. “Then realizing it was not to be, I guess I just played for the hell of it. I played every day, every chance I had.”
Over a handful of decades, Sunshine progressed from being that kid who cared more about studying records than school books to gracing the stages of rock clubs of which most music fans only dream.
“I’ve played at some of the coolest venues in the world, from CBGB’s to the Hammersmith Odeon in London, [and] played in most every U.S. city and most of Europe and Japan a few times. Crazy memories,” he reflected.
As if name-dropping history-making venues wasn’t enough, Sunshine has rubbed elbows with some of the most influential musicians of all time. And even more impressive still, he’s opened for most of them.
“I’ve opened shows for so many cool artists,” said Sunshine. “The Ramones, Black Sabbath, Iggy Pop, Jane’s Addiction, Alice in Chains, The Cult and many more. Met a lot of pretty extraordinary people both on and off the stage.”
Like most ‘80s rockers, Sunshine didn’t need lessons or formal music education to become obsessed with playing. When he wasn’t strumming, Sunshine was writing music, which he calls his favorite part of the creative process and something he’s always had a hand in when working with bands.
After a move to Miami from New York and time on stage with a cover band that, according to Sunshine, played everything from “Barry White to the Allman Brothers Band,” he landed his big break with a band called Circus of Power in the late 1980s.
“We got popular in NYC pretty quick, got signed to RCA Records, then Columbia Records,” said Sunshine. “Toured the world, did the MTV video thing as best we could. We were sort of a punk-and-blues-influenced hard rock band from NYC, if I had to narrow it down for describing.”
By Sunshine’s account, it was a funny time to be a bunch of grungy dudes in an era of glam rock and eyeliner-sporting hair bands.“[We were] not real pretty and we came out when pretty mattered, which I guess set us apart a bit,” Sunshine lamented.
Post-MTV appearances, Sunshine’s time in the spotlight shone on. He bounced between a few bands like The Silos and NY Loose, eventually winding up in the studio as a session musician for a few groups, including Guns n’ Roses.
During his later days working for Hustler stores, Sunshine’s proximity to the Los Angeles music scene provided more opportunities to play live. Sunshine prefers to be surrounded by fellow musicians on stage, though he’s given a few solo performances at The Mint in Los Angeles — a move he’s hoping to repeat upon completion of his next album.
Now based in Ohio with a family clan to care for, Sunshine’s life priorities have changed, but there’s always time for music in this multi-talented man’s hours.
“These days with the Lion’s Den, it’s been more of a challenge, me being based in the Midwest,” said Sunshine. “They’ve been so supportive and encouraging of my efforts both within the company and outside. I’m really lucky and grateful.”
Sunshine is director of purchasing for the company and he’s now responsible for every product that comes through the door. With 48 stores, he’s got his work cut out for him during the 9 to 5, but the man always gives credit where it’s due.
“I’ve got three killer buyers that make me look good,” said Sunshine. “I’ve been doing this for about 11 years. I work for some incredible people. Michael Moran, the founder and owner, has been supportive and gracious throughout, as has Mark Miller, our vice president. Both big music fans!”
Over the last few months, Sunshine has spent time in Los Angeles getting back into the studio to record his next album, “Beer, Picks & Old Records.” Sunshine composed the majority of his latest songs in the damp basement of his Ohio home with, as the album’s name suggests, a few old records and the occasional beer for inspiration.
“My main focus has really been on my new record this year,” said Sunshine. “I did a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the new record and was overwhelmed by the generosity and support I received from this industry as well as my friends outside of it.”
Once production is complete, Sunshine’s pleasure industry crowd-funding backers can look forward to reaping the rewards of their donation tiers, including signed CDs and downloads, guitar lessons, and even personalized, in-house concerts.
Sunshine’s next steps post-project are, as always, musical. He’ll be back to collaborating with bands and other musicians from around the world, with a few with whom he’s already done remote duets as far away as New Zealand.
But for now, Sunshine is at the grindstone of “Beer, Picks & Old Records,” a personal and often bittersweet album he’s simply content to share with whoever will listen.
“I’ll keep writing and recording,” said Sunshine of the near future, “but I will be focused on promoting the record as best as I can. I am a realist and have no crazy notions or expectations.”
Ask any “true musician,” so to speak, and most will second Sunshine’s closing sentiment: “I am proud of what I do and would like to have it out there available for those who might just get something out of it. I’m happy if someone appreciates it, or a particular song moves them in some way or they simply get a kick out of it.”
