Sounds Like Sunset
Sounds Like Sunset are a band based in Sydney, Australia. The group formed in 1997 and as of 2014 have released 3 albums, 'Saturdays' in 2001, 'Invisible' in 2005 and 'We Could Leave Tonight' in 2014 as well as various other releases on cassettes, 7" and compilations. "We Could Leave Tonight" was released on vinyl July 22, 2014 through Tym Records, and digitally on August 22, 2014 through Sounds Like Sunset.
Early days
The band formed initially as a side-project with David Challinor (guitar), David Hobson (bass) and Rohan Geddes (drums) in Pennant Hills in Sydney's north west in August 1997. Early tape recordings and gigs showed the band in similar sonic territory as Flying Saucer Attack and other drone/noise/post-rock bands, something the band soon grew away from in the hope of melding all the noise & feedback into more concise pop arrangements.
Music
The band are often filed under shoegazer and noise-pop music. The group's influences range from the Beatles, Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, Velvet Underground and Love, through to more recent artists Dinosaur Jr, Sebadoh, Spacemen3, Flying Saucer Attack, Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine and the Jesus and Mary Chain.
The members' teenage/formative years share a collective love of punk & Death metal - which occasionally resurfaces, some might say at odds with the delicate melodic nature of the band's current output. Live shows are generally loud, densely layered and orchestrated guitar assaults.
PRL
Until recently the band regularly fielded a team "The Söunds Like Sunset Singletönes" in Chief Robby Cranny's PRL (Pretend Rugby League. The team's PRL career began in 2003 at the Zetland Hotel, and its career highlight was coming Div 1 runners-up in the 2006 season, followed by a Div1 3rd place in the 2007 season with a team selected entirely by Travis Baird of cult band Founder. Travis was recruited to select a squad when everyone in Sounds Like Sunset forgot to attend the player auction.
In 2008 the band shocked the PRL community by again failing to attend the 2008 PRL player auction, a move that did not go unnoticed by the PRL hierarchy and the band were forced to relinquish their coveted spot in Div1 of the PRL altogether. The band hope to be eligible to re-register with PRL in 2009 and start climbing their way back through the lower leagues until again finding glory in Div1.
Recent Activity
Andrew Fevre (guitar) 1997 - 2008 spent a year overseas, and in his absence the band played on with various friends dropping into the lineup for a number of shows, including:
- Scott Meikle (guitar) of the band Beautiful World
- Pete Farley (guitar) of the bands Gelbison and Toni Collette & The Finish, and
- Travis Baird (guitar, keys) of the bands Founder, El Mopa and The Woods Themselves.
Band members now live in an area spread between Bondi Beach, Collaroy Plateau, Rhodes, and the NSW Central Coast suburb of Wyoming.
Band members
Current lineup (since mid 2013)
- David Challinor - vocals, guitar
- Tobey Doctor - drums
- David Hobson - bass
- Ben White - guitar
Past Members
- Travis Baird - guitar
- Matthew Bonson - drums
- Andrew Fevre - guitar
- Peter Farley - guitar
- Rohan Geddes - drums
- Scott Meikle - guitar
- Josh Thompson - guitar
- David Virgilio - drums
Discography
- We Could Leave Tonight LP 2014 Tym records
- Invisible LP 2005 Architecture Label
- Saturdays LP 2001 Modular Recordings
- Before it Blows/Promise Ring split 7" 2000 (Quietly Suburban Recordings) - a split release with The Lassie Foundation (Los Angeles)