Stylus (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Defunct | 1979 (initial breakup) |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live performances |
Stylus was an Australian blue-eyed soul ensemble established in 1975, distinguished as the sole Australian group to have a release through Motown Records in the United States. They served as opening acts for tours by artists such as George Benson, Average White Band, Ike & Tina Turner, and Little River Band. Rock historian Ian McFarlane noted that Stylus "achieved several hit singles and gained significant popularity within the Australian pub and live music scene." The band dissolved in 1979 but reunited sporadically, with Japan's Toshiba-EMI reissuing three of their albums during 1998-99 (For the Love of Music, Best Kept Secret, and Part of It All). These reunions also resulted in a live album titled Still Alive (2003) and a studio album called Across Time (2010).
History
Stylus originated from the Melbourne-based group Mason's Cure, led by keyboardist Ian Mason. The lineup included Peter Cupples (formerly of Wheatfield and Canyon), Ashley Henderson, Peter Lee, Ronnie Peers, and Ian Tomney. Following Mason’s departure in early 1975, the remaining musicians formed Stylus with Cupples taking on lead vocals, guitar, and percussion; Henderson on bass guitar and vocals; Lee on drums; Peers handling lead guitar; and new recruit Sam McNally on keyboards. The band supported tours by Focus (band), Ike and Tina Turner, and Sherbet (band).
Under contract with WEA, Stylus released their first single in June 1975—a rendition of Seals & Croft’s "Summer Breeze"—which reached the top 60 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart. Their follow-up single, "World of Make Believe," climbed into the top 40. Their debut album, Where in the World?, was recorded at Armstrong Audio Video studios in Melbourne for Atlantic Records and released in November 1975. By April 1976, after issuing "I'm Going Home," Stylus had parted ways with WEA.
In June 1976, the single "So Much Love" was launched via Crystal Clear Records, reaching the top 50. Subsequently, they signed with Oz Records—managed by Ross Wilson and Glenn Wheatley—and distributed through EMI. Their sophomore album, For the Love of Music, produced by Trevor Courtney alongside Cupples, was released in October 1976 and featured the track "I Just Don't Wanna Fall in Love Right Now," which made it into the top 100. During this period, drummer changes occurred: Courtney temporarily replaced Lee before Joe Tattersall joined by year’s end.
With Trevor Courtney on drums, Stylus recorded their third album, Best Kept Secret, which was released in April 1978. This album generated three singles: "Workout Fine," "Look at Me," and "Got to Say Goodbye." They secured a deal with Motown Records to re-release Best Kept Secret under the title Stylus in both the UK and US markets via Motown’s Prodigal label. The album and its singles received favorable critiques from industry publications such as Cashbox and Billboard. By mid-1978, Peter Roberts joined as co-lead vocalist while Mark Meyer took over drumming duties from Tattersall. However, Motown discontinued Prodigal in 1979, which halted planned tours alongside Hall & Oates and Earth Wind & Fire. That same year, Stylus supported George Benson during his Australian tour.
Their fourth album, Part of It All, was released in August 1979 along with the single "If You Believe in Me". The band disbanded later that year. Although this album was intended to be their second release in the US market, it was ultimately shelved as well. Despite interest from the US side, EMI Australia demonstrated only minimal support for the group.
Post-breakup activities and reunions
After Stylus dissolved, its members embarked on individual paths in the music industry. By 1980, Peter Cupples had established the initial Peter Cupples Band, featuring Virgil Donati on drums, David Hirschfelder handling keyboards, Ross Ingliss on guitar, and Robert Little playing bass. Cupples launched his first solo record, Fear of Thunder, in October 1981 under Full Moon/Astor Records. He also made appearances on television variety programs and performed extensively on the cabaret circuit. In the same year, Ian McNally became part of the John Farnham Band and released his own solo album titled First Chance in February 1982. McNally continued touring with multiple groups and worked as a session musician.
Between 1998 and 1999, Toshiba-EMI Japan reissued Stylus's entire back catalogue on CD—a format previously unavailable in Australia. Towards the end of 2001, Stylus reunited with original members Cupples, Henderson, McNally, and Peers, augmented by David Jones on drums. Recordings from their 2002 live tour were subsequently issued as Still Alive in 2003 through Empire Records.
Following the positive reception of these re-releases, Toshiba-EMI requested new studio material in 2009. Consequently, on 23 June 2010, the band unveiled Across Time in Japan via Vivid Japan/Zoom—marking their first studio album in over three decades. This lineup consisted of Cupples, Henderson, McNally, Peers, and Gerry Pantazis on drums and percussion. In late 2012, Stylus performed concerts in Melbourne, Sydney, and Newcastle—their first live shows since 2002.
Studio albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart position |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Where in the World |
|
25 |
| For the Love of Music |
|
70 |
| The Best Kept Secret (titled Stylus in the US) |
|
70 |
| Part of It All |
|
91 |
| Across Time |
|
— |
Live albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Still Alive |
|
Compilation albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| The Stylus Collection |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Highest chart ranking | Associated album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| "Summer Breeze" | 1975 | 58 | Where in the World |
| "World of Make Believe" | 34 | ||
| "I'm Going Home" | 1976 | — | |
| "So Much Love" | 44 | For the Love of Music | |
| "I Just Don't Wanna Fall in Love Right Now" | 83 | ||
| "Kissin'" | 1977 | — | The Best Kept Secret |
| "Workout Fine" | 1978 | 64 | |
| "Look at Me" | — | ||
| "Got to Say Goodbye" | — | Template:Non-album single | |
| "If You Believe in Me" | 1979 | — | Part of It All |