"Music is supposed to open your mind and make you dream," says Dave Allen, lead singer and spokesman for Hal.

"We're into making music that's not a fad. Music's not supposed to come and go.

"We're rebelling against all that. It's not about being the latest thing."

Named after Sixties drummer Hal Blaine (or the computer from 2001: A Space Odyssey, depending on who you speak to) the Irish four piece, featuring Dave's brother Paul (bass), Paul Hogan (drums), and Stephen O'Brien (keys) couldn't be more different to their contemporaries currently splashed across the pages of NME.

They eschew all things a la mode, from shouty vocals and punky riffs to skinny trousers and black eyeliner. Instead they favour good old-fashioned, sun-kissed ballads, reminiscent of The Beach Boys.

Hal are about melody, harmony and intricately-crafted feel-good pop.

"We're extremely proud of what we do. Our record is very different to what everyone else is doing," says Dave, whose parents were a double-act on Ireland's folk circuit.

"I'm glad I'm not part of the post-punk thing," he continues. "It's very angular. The bass line follows the guitar line, there's not much singing. The drummer's going ' bang bang bang'. I've heard it all before. I'd rather listen to punk legends Television.

"Every so often people will recommend a new album to me and I'll play it for a couple of days or whatever. But I always return to the artists I love - Brian Wilson, Harry Nilsson, Van Morrison."

Perhaps it's distance from conveyor-belt pop culture which has led some critics to label Hal as geeky.

But Dave insists: "It's because we're not afraid to put a butterfly on the cover of our album, or have a song called Keep Love As Your Golden Rule."

Signed to Rough Trade in 2002, Hal are currently touring their eponymous debut album. When we speak, they're on the road "somewhere between Glasgow and Aberdeen", watching One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.

"We stick films on in the van and it shuts everyone up," jokes Dave. "Were pretty laid-back, though. We're into making records, being on the road.

"We feel extremely lucky to be able to do what we love so why waste it drinking and smoking dope? Why lose your mind?

"I wouldn't use music as an excuse to get wasted anyway. I respect it too much."

Starts 8pm, tickets cost £8. Call 01273 673311.