Stylus (band)
| Stylus | |
|---|---|
| Genres | Funk, soul |
| Years active | 1975–1979, 2001–2002, 2009–2012 |
| Labels | WEA, Crystal Clear, Oz, EMI, Motown/Prodigal, Empire, Vivid Japan/Zoom |
| Associated acts | Mason's Cure |
| Past members | Peter Cupples Ashley Henderson Peter Lee Sam McNally Ronnie Peers Trevor Courtney Joe Tattersalls Peter Roberts Mark Meyers David Jones Gerry Pantazis |
Stylus were an Australian funk, soul group which formed in 1975. They were the first Australian act to be released by Motown Records in the USA. Stylus toured supporting George Benson, Average White Band, Ike & Tina Turner, and Little River Band. According to rock music historian, Ian McFarlane, Stylus "scored a number of hit singles and became very popular on the Australian pub and concert circuit". The group disbanded in 1979 and subsequently had various reunions. In 1998-99 Japan's Toshiba-EMI re-issued three Stylus albums on CDs (For the Love of Music, Best Kept Secret and Part of It All). Their reunions have resulted in a live album, Still Alive (2003); and a new studio album, Across Time (2010).
Stylus developed from Mason's Cure, which were a Melbourne-based group, led by Ian Mason on keyboards, and included at various stages Peter Cupples (ex-Wheatfield, Canyon), Ashley Henderson, Peter Lee, Ronnie Peers & Ian Tomney. In early 1975 that group issued a single, "Let Me Love You Right", but Mason left to join The Bootleg Band. The remaining members became Stylus with Cupples on lead vocals, guitar (electric and acoustic), congas, percussion and electric piano; Henderson on bass guitar, lead and backing vocals; Lee on drums and percussion; Peers on lead guitar (electric and acoustic); and new member, Sam McNally (ex-Silver Sun, Baiyana) on keyboards: fender electric piano, acoustic piano, moog synthesiser and clavinet;. The group supported tours by Focus, Ike and Tina Turner, and Sherbet.
Stylus were signed to WEA and, in June 1975, released their debut single, "Summer Breeze", which was a cover version of Seals & Croft's 1972 song. The Stylus version reached the top 60 of the Kent Music Report Singles Chart. Their second single, "World of Make Believe", appeared in October which peaked into the top 40. It was followed, in November, by their debut album, Where in the World?, which was recorded at Armstrong Audio Video in Melbourne for Atlantic Records. In April 1976 the album provided a third single, "I'm Going Home", but Stylus had left WEA.
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