artists

Artists & Musicians

The easily-recognisable tones of the Stylophone have been used on numerous tracks over the years. Some are clearly heard, while others are far more subtle.
The most famous record; and the one that set the trend for Stylophone-sampling many years ago; 'Space Oddity'.

Another example of stylo use is from a well established Swedish band by the name of PINEFOREST CRUNCH. Their album - 'PANAMARENKO' - features the stylo on no less than 3 of the 11-track work.

The band's use of the stylophone on these tracks is 'up front and obvious', making it a perfect example for stylo-fans to hear, and it does a brilliant job!.
It hasn't been used just as a token addition either, but as a 'proper' instrument for playing - very melodically. This is going to be a case of ...'what's that instrument they're using?' to the unititiated, but for those familiar with the stylo-sound it will be obvious. The stylo is used in it's 'normal' position, without vibrato.

P.C. are a female-vocal led band, using a number of the older 'classic-electronic' instruments in their work. I may be old fashioned, but it's nice to hear 'musicians' playing actual instruments again, as opposed to computer-generated loops etc...
(oh no....age!...age!!)

TRACK LISTING:
(Styophone-featured tracks in bold)

1. Situation Endless
2. Queen of the Nineties
3. College Radio Listeners
4. Slowly
5. Wake Up
6. Innocent
7. Romantic Strings
8. Car Crash
9. Coronation
10. Leave It All Behind
11. Happy Valentine

The CD is available via on-line order at CD BABY in the U.S., by clicking on the album cover, and well worth a listen - apart from the stylo interest!.

Many thanks to Pineforest Crunch drummer Mattias for supplying me with a copy of this album.

The man who started it all....

David Bowie

David Bowie's use of the Stylophone on Space Oddity sparked great interest in the instrument, and started an advertising campaign that would associate him forever with the Stylophone. On this record, he used the very first 60's production (black-finish standard-scale) model of the instrument.
Years later, he would return to the Stylophone for his track Slip Away using an original 70's (white-finish treble-scale) model.

The two different Stylophones used for these tracks create their own unique and distinctive tonal sound, only heard on genuine 60's / 70's models. Apart from the tonal quality, it speaks volumes for the reliability of these original models.
The white Stylophone being used by Bowie in his return to the instrument (above) would have already been 30 years old!.

With 'StyloMania' in full swing; now with the added credibility as a 'real' instrument being used by a 'real' musician; adverts such as the one above were seen in many of the popular music publications of the day, such as New Musical Express and Record Mirror.