GuilFest 2005. The Guildford Music Festival on 15th, 16th and 17th July 2005

About the bands
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Artist: Stylus
Genre: Rock
Performing: 17th July 2004 / The Andertons LiveClub Stage
Website Address: [www.styluslondon.com]

Stylus formed in London during the latter half of 2002 with a view to producing groove driven, guitar based music. Following a number of gigs around London, we were asked to produce a music video for submission to The Chart Show. This video will be shown on the Chart Show and will be accompanied by a short interview with the band.

Venues previously include….

The Shepherds Bush Empire, The Sound, The Borderline, Gossips, The Hope and Anchor, The Half-moon Putney.

Review by Pete Whiley on Xfm sponsored website http://www.20six.co.uk/weblogCategory/1ojs2xqq8hxwg

Watching Stylus on stage tonight is a bit like taking a history lesson on classic British bands. On the left you'll find it's 1986, with guitarist, Brim, playing the kind of stuff that'd receive the Johnny Marr nod of approval. A few steps behind him and both drummer, Mark, and bassist, Simon, are partying like it's 1989, not only playing like Reni and Mani respectively, they come complete with baggy-style outfits and Madchester posturing. Frontman Dave, however, is busy belting out every track like a rock n' roll star in 1995, yep, he's Liam Gallagher. In fact, his voice is so Liam-like at times, you half expect him to be donning a single eyebrow and waving a tambourine.

Now, don't be fooled into thinking these boys are just another drab, Britpop-wannabe embarrassment because you couldn't be more wrong. Stylus make the kind of thrilling, upbeat music that quickly restores your faith in the British rock scene. Opening track, "Slipping away" is quite brilliant, with a thumping intro reminiscent of Doves' "Pounding", while "Never gonna let u go" could easily be a lost Oasis song from the "Definitely, Maybe" era. Within the first seven minutes of the night, they demonstrate more zeal and purpose than Kelly Jones has managed in the past seven years.

The crowd loves it and the band's confidence grows as a result; Brim starts flexing his creative muscles while Simon's onstage movement goes from mere head nodding to a full on groove, one which soon has him in fear of drowning in his own sweat.

Consistency is certainly a Stylus characteristic and only "U could be the one" fails to deliver, it's far too long and even the impressive guitar work in the closing stages can't quite rescue it. Following that, however, is the night's high-point. "Is this how you feel?" is the kind of anthem you'd expect from a band touring the globe, not one based in Clapham Junction. It has just about everything - a killer drumbeat, a bassline straight out of head-bopping heaven, superb guitar and a quite euphoric, Liam-esque, cry of "Yeah yeah yeah!" What more could you ask for?

With the majority of Brits still wary of any homegrown guitar music that doesn't involve a piano, string section or spandex, Stylus have certainly got their work cut out, but if they continue to write first-class tunes like this, they'll surely prove too good to ignore. Top stuff.