Guitar bands are manifold in London town, and it's been a while since that fact could be stated with any certainty. Tastes are reverting as live music played in intimate venues becomes a necessary constant in these cash-strapped, culturally arid times.

A love of live music pervades the club, rather than the sweaty media ambition of the mainstream, whose godheads can be identified as the millionaire prefab boy bands who some of us have learned to avoid.

It's tough getting through the throng of women. It's Friday night and Sam Gray's set has just ended. Sweat is pearling on his brow. He bows and steps from the stage. The four other band members lay down their instruments and grin at each other.

As Paul Weller's long-time collaborator and one of the finest and most prolific drummers Britain has ever produced, Steve White is now looking to the future. Jason Holmes journeyed to Stockport to meet him.