Stylus

Stylus’ last album Gain Control was released June 10, 2006 on Wildside Records. With 17 tracks of catchy melodies, low-riding grooves and crunching guitars; this album is why your stereo comes with a repeat function!

LAYING THE TRACKS

Gain Control was recorded in Auckland over 2005 and early 2006 at The Lab Studios and York St Studio, Auckland. It was mastered at Sydney’s 301 Studio in May 2006 with legendary mastering engineer Don Bartley. Gain Control was produced, engineered and mixed by award winning band members Paul Matthews (bass) and Dave Rhodes (drums) who have worked with many New Zealand artists including Blindspott, OpShop, Foamy Ed, Redline, Crumb and Tadpole.

THE SONG AND DANCE

For Gain Control, Stylus selected from a large number of songs. “When it came time to make the album we had about 50 ideas we had in demo form,” says vocalist Matt Samuels. “Then we wrote about 20 more.” “The tracks on Gain Control are the songs we just couldn’t leave off,” says Paul Matthews.

New guitarist Aja Timu comes from a heavier background and is both an influence on the songwriting and sound of the new album. “Aja brought a lot of energy to the live show,” says Samuels. “It shows on Gain Control.” With melodic, crunching riffs illuminating the tracks and savagely intense backup vocals filling out the lyrics, his onstage energy has translated well into the final recording.

LOVING IT LIVE

“We love touring,” says Matthews. “We love the experience of meeting people who really like our music. They sing the words to the songs. You realise your music has done what you want it to. To reach people, speak to people, communicate.” Stylus have a reputation for tight, energetic performances and look forward to bringing their new show to old and new fans.

HANDLING THE HIP-HOP

Unlike Stylus’ debut release Painkillers there is only one rap on Gain Control, the track Never No No featuring Illy. “Our friend Phil (Illy) collaborated on the song Never No No. We originally had more material that sounded like Painkillers but we had moved on,” says Matthews. “Music like everything in life is about moving on and trying new things.”

STYLUS ON FILM

“I don’t enjoy making videos as much as I do recording and touring,” says Matthews. “But I really enjoyed the making of the I Was Alone Until Tonight, our most recent music video, directed by Adam Jones of Zoomslide. It was a lot of fun. We collectively did a lot of the organisation. We had BMX riders, MotoX riders, hot cars and tons of people; some were friends and some were fans that responded to the post on our myspace site. Everyone had a great time and they love seeing themselves on TV.”

WORLD CONQUEST

“We worked hard to make this album of an international standard, we want to get licensing deals in as many territories as we can so it was important that the album represented us well,” says Matthews. With interest already from Australia and Great Britain it won’t be long before Stylus become a truly international band.

WE WANT OUR MTV

Stylus’ strangest income came all the way from the USA as the band have recently had royalties filter down from the 2004 use of their song Sick Of This on the soundtrack of MTV’s Road Rules Challenge Gauntlet. It was very fittingly used for an ice cream eating competition and has gained the band new fans from the states.

THE HISTORY OF STYLUS

Stylus’ debut album Painkillers was released in October of 2003 on Wildside Records and is a refreshing mix of Rock and Funk with Hip-Hop beats and undertones. The album received rave reviews and the radio singles Sick Of This, Backstabbers Incorporated, Never Again and Keep Looking In My Direction (Incredible) have been carving up airwaves on NZ Radio and Music TV ever since. Stylus toured relentlessly including nationwide tours with Alien Ant Farm and Blindspott. Some performance highlights for the band include live shows on TV2’s Top of the Pops and a spot at the Crusty Demons 10th Anniversary show at Western Springs, Auckland.