Stylophones at Razor Stiletto Xmas Special!
Orchestra Officially Endorsed By Dubreq Ltd
Stylophones Goes A-Busking On Hallowe'en
Orchestra Asked To Soundtrack London Exhibition
Stylophones at the Classic Rock Bar
Orchestra dazzles Toby Foster show
Artistic differences hamper rehearsals
Stylophone buying frenzy on E-bay
Richard DuBreq's solo move
Debut performance at Devonshire Jam
Breaking News!!!
First Stylophone event of the Summer confirmed!
The Misfits Ball at Casbah Club on 15th June '05,
supporting Robochrist & The M*therfuckers!
More info to follow...
Stylophones at Razor Stiletto Xmas Special!
Tuesday 21st December 2004
On 30th November 2004 we were woken at Stylophone HQ by a frantic rhythmic banging on the door. Upon further investigation it turned out to be a clockwork electro-flunkey sent round by local electronic music god, Kings Have Long Arms, requesting by royal appointment that the Orchestra support him at the Razor Stiletto Christmas Special.
Three weeks later it all occurred! Yes! And it were ace! We hope you got yourselves down to Club Zero on the 21st December for this festive feast of Shefftronica! Much fun was had by all, especially young Richard Dubreq who was asked on stage to perform with KHLA (and then promptly booted off stage by Mr A Flanagan) thereby fulfilling his life's ambition! Hurrah!
Orchestra Officially Endorsed By Dubreq Ltd
Monday
1st November 2004
We are proud to announce that the Ben Jarvis, son of stylophone inventor Brian Jarvis and current president of Dubreq Ltd, that visionary company which brought stylophones into all our lives, has visited our website and given us the official Dubreq seal of approval
You can read Ben's comments on our messageboard here
Orchestra Goes A-Busking On Hallowe'en
Sunday 31st October 2004
We took it upon ourselves to infiltrate the council-organised Hallowe'en event, 'Fright Night' in Sheffield city centre and busk with stylophones... after trudging around town, we came across an empty marquee opposite the Winter Gardens which had clearly been provided for our benefit so we installed ourselves under it and played our hits to an audience of approximately three bemused Sheffielders... check out the gallery section for photos where you will be able to witness Richard DuBreq's terrifying home-made Wicker Man costume…
Orchestra Asked To Soundtrack London Exhibition
Wednesday 13th October 2004
We were asked by someone from the Museum Of Childhood, Bethnal Green, East London to provide background music to a private showing of an exhibition celebrating the best toys of the 20th century (naturally they had included stylophones up amongst them)... we were thrilled to be asked but sadly had to turn them down, explaining that we were a punk group and therefore not really suitable for 'background' listening, we didn't want a load of Brian Sewell types being forced to flee the building, their ears bleeding...
We came, we saw, we rocked – the Sheffield
Stylophone Orchestra at the Classic Rock Bar
Sunday 10th October 2004
The Sheffield Stylophone Orchestra rocked out at the Classic Rock Bar of Eccleshall Road, Sheffield, performing our interpretations of numbers by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Pulp, The White Stripes, Salt ‘N’ Pepa, The Beatles, The Kings Of Leon and The Knack – complete with live on-stage knitting action.
We were slightly apprehensive beforehand about how our set would go down with an audience of classic rock fans, we thought it might be like a re-enactment of when the Human League supported Def Leopard at The Limit and started a riot. But in actual fact the rockers were well up for a bit of stylophonic action and a top night was had by all.
Actual photo of the Orchestra performing live at Classic Rock Bar
Thanks to Sass for inviting us, the crowd for making our night with their reaction, and extra special thanks to Chris Treebeard’s drummer who stepped in at the last minute (having never seen a stylophone before in his life) and drummed for us – you were ace!
As an unexpected bonus, we received fifteen quid from those good people at the Classic Rock Bar in reward for our display of musicianship, making this the Orchestra’s first ever paid appearance. Naturally enough, we ploughed the money straight back into the Rock Bar’s coffers by spending it all on booze at the bar.
Afterwards the Orchestra trooped into the back room of the Rock Bar to watch Chora – mesmerising stuff from this bunch of Psalter Laners, ‘twas like something out of Andy Warhol’s Silver Factory – and Chris Treebeard, also excellent
Sass wants The Orchestra to put in a repeat appearance at the Rock Bar around Christmastime – so expect a set of Christmas carols complete with hand bell ringers…
The line-up for tonight’s concert was as follows:
Richard DuBreq - The Big One
Rebecca DuBreq - The Deep One
Meredyth DuBreq - The Deep One #2
Jayne DuBreq - Casio VL1
Danny DuBreq - Guitar
Olly DuBreq - Bass
Chis Treebeard’s Drummer DuBreq - Drums
Please keep checking the Audio-Visual & Gallery sections for stuff to look at and listen to from this event....
In other news, a poke behind the scenes at the website’s technical gubbins reveals that the Orchestra has grown from its humble South Yorkshire roots to become a truly international concern, having attracted visits from fans as far afield as South Africa (hello Brady), Australia (Rolf?) and the U.S.A, as well as even more far-flung and godforsaken places such as Guildford, Nottingham and even Gloucester!
Orchestra dazzles listeners on The Toby Foster
Show
Friday 27th August 2004
The SSO dazzled listeners with their wit and charm and a medley of favourite melodies on the Award-Winning Toby Foster Show of Radio Sheffield. Originally scheduled to appear for 6 minutes, the Orchestra ended up hogging 23 minutes of quality airtime.
The piece de resistance of their repertoire was the now legendary medley of classic smash hit tunes by Pulp, White Stripes & Salt'N'Pepa. Award-winning DJ & comedian Toby Foster even joined in the fun when he played three notes on Rebecca DuBreq's famously knackered Stylophone, The White One.
Check out The Gallery, Audio-Visual & Reviews sections for documentary evidence of this momentous event.
And don't forget - If you reside in the south Yorkshire area, you may tune into Toby Foster every weekday at 2pm until 5 pm by turning your dial to 104.1 or 88.6 on the medium wave band and 94.7 on the FM wave band, where it can be enjoyed with the glorious scientific wonder that is Hi-Fidelity Stereo Sound.
Artistic differences hamper rehearsals
Wednesday 14th August 2004.
Recent artistic differences within the SSO have made rehearsals very difficult, says an Orchestra insider. Without naming names, the source talked at great length about how a certain male member of the SSO has very 'prog' leanings and is overly keen to embellish the Orchestra's repertoire with experimental freeform noodlings, much to the chagrin of those with more traditional musical tastes. It is hoped that the difficulties faced by the group will be put aside as they prepare for their broadcasting debut on Radio Sheffield later in the month.
Stylophone buying frenzy on E-bay as orchestra expands
Friday 23rd July 2004
Since the reunion of Jayne DuBreq, the last known surviving DuBreq sibling, with the rest of the clan, there has been a concerted effort to source further Stylophones for Orchestra members to play. In particular, a second Big One (or Stylophone 350S for all you pedant technophiles out there) is in demand, but ridiculous bidding prices on E-bay have made this a very expensive aim to have. The SSO is therefore planning a new campaign calling for fans to help out with the search. Watch this space!
Richard DuBreq's solo move casts cloud over
Orchestra but silver lining is found
Tuesday 6th July 2004
A break-away solo performance at a popular music quiz by Orchestra Member Richard DuBreq has caused a rift within the SSO, not least for his alleged dumbing down of the Orchestras aims and beliefs. DuBreq, 43, entertained audiences with renditions of a variety of debased 'choons' at the 7x7 event at the Lescar Public House Drinking Lounge & Opium Den. Melodies included "Here We Are Now" by Nirvana and "My Corolla" by some forgotten Sixties band or other. Playing under the name of the SSO without official authorisation, DuBreq was accompanied by a swarthy and uncomfortable looking young fellow who chose to remain nameless, though he did look a bit like Richard D James.
The rest of the Orchestra, angry at this move, were only placated when DuBreq smugly revealed to them that at this event he had rather fortuitously found long lost DuBreq sibling Jayne DuBreq. She had spent most of the night, indeed most of the last 14 years, huddled in a corner near the fragrant entrance to the Gentlemen's Water Closet, supping furtively on a bottle of Old Ladys Gin.
Overjoyed at this news, the DuBreq clan went out to celebrate with their new found sister. Much alcohol & many opiates were consumed that night, I can tell you, but not by Jayne DuBreq, who volunteered to go on a Dr Gillian McKeith detox for 18 months in order to be able to keep up with the gruelling regime that is demanded of all members of The Sheffield Stylophone Orchestra.
Orchestra wows audiences with dubious happy clappy
debut performance at Devonshire Jam
Saturday 29th May 2004
The XIIVth Devonshire Jam Festival Olympiad 2004 was a wondrous event in the sun that featured many popular local musicians, as well as various disco noise merchants and a variety of acrobats and conjurors.
However, the highlight of the day was surely the debut appearance of The Sheffield Stylophone Orchestra, in a full expanded line-up including a choral section, a guitar and bongo player, and even a Casiotone VL-1 keyboad.
Audiences were enthralled and appalled by the sight of 16 grown ladies and gentleman in lurid red & yellow t-shirts singing and dancing and clapping on stage as if they were gurning participants in a latterday Nine O'Clock Service or something. The relevant authorities were informed and action was duly taken, but not before The Orchestra butchered such tuneful classics of popular soul music as 'Je Taime' and 'Push It!'.
Check out The Gallery & Reviews sections for related materials.