Being labelled with the shoegazer tag is probably not going to guarantee any sort of financial or chart success and the Sounds Like Sunset  members acknowledge this and while the more than obvious ‘Brian Wilson meets My Bloody Valentine’ comparison that is directed towards their sound is valid, there is something more to it than that, something distinctly Australian. 

Humble vocalist/guitarist Dave Challinor suggests that while he is more influenced by bands like the Kinks, The Velvet Underground, the Beatles and Big Star, some of his favourites are the Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, Stereolab, Yo La Tengo, My Bloody Valentine and while flattered with the tags that are directed at them, he does seem a little uneasy about it. I suggest to him that there seems to be a conglomerate of elements from Drop City, 78 Saab, Underground Lovers, Glide and Gaslight Radio to the SLS ethereal wall of sound pop songs. His reply is that they just sound the way they sound because we like it. That’s good enough for me.

After a tempting taster supporting Screamfeeder last night at the Rev, I was keen to hear more of Sounds Like Sunset, hopefully a no-holds barred onslaught of the ears.

Last night’s set was good, don’t get me wrong, but I was left wondering what could have been. Having heard of reviews in which punters have had to leave their gigs due to physical illness brought about by the enormous impact of the sounds the band create (if you saw any early Ride or My Bloody Valentine gigs, amongst others, you may know what I mean) I had to witness this for myself. Last night they seemed somewhat restrained brought on no doubt by their awareness of the noise restrictions imposed by the Brisbane City Council on live music venues throughout the city. This, and the fact that they like to be asked back to venues; not told that they are too noisy, don’t come back.

Only a small crew was on hand in the sealed off bowling alleys making for plenty of room to sit back and stretch out, if the mood took you. What better way to indulge ones self in the melodic walls of sound that SLS dish out in spades.

After the lengthy setup, mainly due to the intricate tunings of Challinor’s guitars, things get underway as they did last night with Expressway, the opening track of current release Invisible. The swirling ethereal qualities of First Time are a favourite even in a stripped back mode with vocals and harmonies combining to lift you skyward. Another re-tune is required before getting into Frequency and again it is more stripped back than what appears on cd. This doesn’t take anything away from the end product, actually heightening the effect of the exquisite vocal on offer.

A guitar change sets us up for the hauntingly beautiful Listening for Love with a little more noise manufacturing on offer. A solid rhythm section with David Hobson on bass sets up I Still Have Your Picture with the bassist even becoming rather physical with some big air moves around the small stage. Again, vocals and harmonies show their strength combining beautifully with some luscious fuzzy guitars.

Unfair, from the debut release, Saturdays, turns up next but it’s the steadily building crescendo of Pretty Soon that is one of the highlights tonight. Effects start to come into play here and when a string breaks its time to wreak havoc on this old axe as it is subjected to some surely unwarranted treatment from Challinor and an empty stubby. Using it as a slide is one thing but when he jams it between strings and pickups and starts to hit things with it, you almost feel for the guitar.

Set closer Taking Sides again sees a less restrained SLS starting to unwind with a droning fuzz combined with sweet vocals and harmonies, the sum of which is eerily comforting. The small crowd calls for more, namely the innocently sweet It’s My Star, but it isn’t to be as they are ordered off stage. Can’t mess with the noise police.

I leave tonight a much more satiated than last night but know that there is much to look forward to, knowing full well that it is going to cost me a trip south to catch these noise merchants at their best.

I can’t wait.