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Two down, one to go. It hasnt, thus far, been a night to cherish. STYLUS have also had their set cut down to less than twenty five minutes so after hearing the opening bars of Slipping Away, it makes you want to kill whoever made that decision. They sound better than ever. Brims guitar work reaches dizzy heights on the newer songs Kicking out ya Mouth and an as-yet-untitled tune and Daves seemingly new vocal style on the former has to make it the track of the night, especially when you combine that with the heaviest and catchiest drum beat that the band has ever produced. Bands like the Smiths and Stone Roses still spring to mind when listening to Stylus but now you can add Kasabian and even a hint of The Stooges to the mix. The members of the audience that were here for the earlier bands had fled to the bar before Stylus had even started, that all changed two songs into the set and before too long, the band received the attention they deserved; they have, after all, rescued the night. Over the past twelve months, it seems guitar music has, once again, become an acceptable genre to dance to; this surely must be the time for Stylus to shine. It should be an interesting year.

Pete Whiley

Now, dont be fooled into thinking these boys are just another drab, Britpop-wannabe embarrassment because you couldnt 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 bands confidence grows as a result; Brim starts flexing his creative muscles while Simons 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, its far too long and even the impressive guitar work in the closing stages cant quite rescue it. Following that, however, is the night's high-point. "Is this how you feel?" is the kind of anthem youd 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 doesnt 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, theyll surely prove too good to ignore. Top stuff.

Pete Whiley.