Famed Rockers HONEYMOON SUITE are proud to announce that their highly anticipated ninth studio album is dropping this summer! Entitled ‘Wake Me Up When the Sun Goes Down,’ this new full-length will be released via Frontiers Music Srl and hits on July 25, 2025.
As a follow-up to their electrifying 2024 release ‘Alive,’ ‘Wake Me Up…‘ marks another exciting chapter in the band’s storied career. Known for their infectious blend of melodic rock, powerful hooks, and captivating lyrics, this legendary Canadian band continues to honor its classic 80s-inspired sound while embracing contemporary production techniques. The new album showcases the group’s signature style — a fusion of hard-hitting rock energy and smooth, melodic anthems — but with an updated sonic twist, adding a modern touch that fans have come to expect after their previous successes.
Celebrating the announcement, HONEYMOON SUITE shares the album’s first single, “I Fly,” along with a new music video.
About the single, Derry Grehan comments:
“I had originally come in with the music that ended up becoming ‘I Fly.’ We had a great chorus, and we knew the track could be super cool if we finished it right. There were several re-writes over the course of a few months, but we finally hit on a really great verse and pre-chorus that rolled perfectly into the ‘I Fly‘ chorus. I felt bad for Johnnie as Mike pushed him to his limits when cutting the vocal, but sometimes that’s what it takes, and the results speak for themselves. Johnnie is singing better than ever!
“The lyrics are metaphorical. They talk about being on a plane, taking off into a new life, and leaving a bad situation behind on the ground. Finding a new freedom and the strength it takes to change. It’s a very positive song, and I think a lot of people can relate.”
‘Wake Me Up When the Sun Goes Down‘ sees the band continuing their commitment to the rock genre, staying true to the powerful, melodic music that made them a household name in the 1980s. Fans can expect driving rhythms, soaring guitar solos courtesy of Derry Grehan, and the signature emotive vocals of lead singer Johnnie Dee. HONEYMOON SUITE’s earlier work, including iconic hits like “New Girl Now,” “Feel It Again,” and “Lethal Weapon,” established them as one of Canada’s most beloved rock bands, and their ability to evolve while keeping their classic sound intact continues to resonate with both old and new listeners alike.
Once again, the band has joined forces with acclaimed producer and songwriter Michael Krompass (Steven Tyler, Theory of a Dead Man, Smash Mouth), who helped shape the sound of their 2024 album ‘Alive.’ Krompass’s ability to blend the past and present is evident here, as the album resonates with the same nostalgic vibe that has defined HONEYMOON SUITE’s enduring legacy, while incorporating the latest production trends that elevate their sound to new heights.
Derry comments on ‘Wake Me Up When the Sun Goes Down‘:
“The new album actually came together pretty quickly compared to ‘Alive.’ We didn’t have a pandemic to deal with. Also, our producer, Mike Krompass, had moved back to Canada, and this put us all much closer together. We recorded most everything at Mike‘s home studio outside of Toronto. A lot of the songs were written quickly by Johnnie, Mike, and me in the studio, and I think they have a very fresh, live sound with a sense of urgency and excitement. I had also brought in a few much older ideas that we re-worked and made into great new songs. The album is classic HONEYMOON SUITE. Every song is different and great in its own way. It’s an album that will grow on you the more you listen, and we think people are going to love it.”
From their self-titled debut album in 1985 to the success of ‘Racing After Midnight‘ and ‘Monsters Under the Bed,’ HONEYMOON SUITE has maintained a loyal fan base, producing a series of chart-topping records that continue to define the rock genre. Their latest effort proves that, nearly four decades later, the band is still firing on all cylinders. With this new album, HONEYMOON SUITE demonstrates their ability to stay relevant and energized in today’s music scene while still tapping into the timeless essence that made them a staple of the 80s rock era. The album delivers a collection of tracks brimming with both high-octane rockers and more introspective moments, all marked by the band’s trademark energy and musicianship. From its anthemic choruses to its emotive lyrics, ‘Wake Me Up When the Sun Goes Down‘ reaffirms that HONEYMOON SUITE remains one of rock’s most enduring and exciting acts, ever evolving but never straying from the heart of what made them legends
‘Wake Me Up When the Sun Goes Down‘ Track List:
1. I Fly
2. Way of the World
3. Every Minute
4. Way Too Fast
5. Stay This Time
6. Crazy Life
7. Live On
8. Keep Our Love Alive
9. Unpredictable 10. Ever Leave You Lonely
HONEYMOON SUITE was originally formed in 1981 by lead vocalist and guitarist
Johnnie Dee from Niagara Falls, Ontario. After the departure of the original lead guitarist, fellow Niagara Falls native Derry Grehan joined the band. Together, Johnnie and Derry rebuilt the lineup, adding Dave Betts on drums, Ray Coburn on keyboards, and Gary Lalonde on bass. The band quickly hit the road, performing six nights a week and writing relentlessly with hopes of securing a record deal.
In 1983, they entered a demo of “New Girl Now” into a homegrown contest hosted by Toronto rock station Q107. Winning the contest led to a multi-album deal with WEA Canada, signed by industry legend Bob Roper.
Their debut self-titled album, released in July 1984, was an immediate success. With massive airplay, videos in heavy rotation on MTV and MuchMusic, and national touring, the album went on to sell over 300,000 units in Canada alone.
Since then, HONEYMOON SUITE has released seven studio albums, with over 1 million units sold worldwide. They’ve produced a string of classic rock hits, including:
“New Girl Now,” “Burning In Love,” “Wave Babies,” “Stay in the Light,” “Feel It Again,” and “What Does It Take.”
The band has earned numerous accolades, including:
· A Juno Award for Group of the Year (1986)
· Triple platinum sales in Canada for their first three albums
· Platinum sales for their 1989 greatest hits release, ‘The Singles‘
· A 2015 SOCAN award recognizing 100,000+ radio performances in Canada for multiple tracks
They’ve toured extensively across Canada, the U.S., and Europe, sharing the stage with artists such as ZZ Top, Heart, Billy Idol, Journey, Bryan Adams, Saga, Loverboy, Jethro Tull, and .38 Special.
Their songs have also appeared in major TV shows like Miami Vice and Bones, and films including Lethal Weapon and One Crazy Summer.
While the 1990s brought lineup changes, the early 2000s saw the reunion of the original members — Johnnie, Derry, Gary, and Dave — along with the addition of keyboardist Peter Nunn, a lineup that remains strong to this day.
In 2020, with a renewed creative spark and a catalog of new songs, Johnnie and Derry connected with acclaimed Canadian producer and songwriter Mike Krompass (credits include Everybody Loves An Outlaw, Steven Tyler, Theory of a Deadman, and Smash Mouth). Mike brought a fresh, modern edge to the band’s signature melodic rock style. His role as co-writer and producer was key in shaping the sound of their highly anticipated eighth studio album.
The first single, “Tell Me What You Want,” dropped in October 2019 and was met with strong support from fans and radio. The follow-up single, “Find What You’re Looking For,” released in June 2020, became a Top 30 hit on Canadian Billboard AOR radio, marking HONEYMOON SUITE’s first chart appearance in 19 years. Their 2023 release, ‘Alive,’ confirmed that the band is still at the top of their game. Produced by Mike Krompass, the album blends soaring vocals, unforgettable guitar riffs, and tight production into a timeless collection of arena-worthy rock anthems.
HONEYMOON SUITE are:
Johnnie Dee – lead vocals
Derry Greham – guitars / keyboards / backing vocals
Dave Betts – drums
Gary Lalonde – bass Peter Nunn – keyboards
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