Static Dress

Static Dress is an English rock band from Leeds, West Yorkshire. The band formed in 2018 and currently consists of vocalist Olli Appleyard, drummer Sam Ogden, bassist George Holding, and anonymous masked guitarist Contrast. They have released one full length studio album alongside various standalone singles and an EP.

Static Dress
Static Dress performing in 2022
Background information
OriginLeeds, West Yorkshire, England
Genres
Years active2018–present
LabelsRoadrunner
Members
  • Olli Appleyard
  • Sam Ogden
  • Contrast
  • George Holding
Past members
  • Tom Black
  • Sam Kay
  • Connor Reilly
Websitestaticdress.com

History

The band was formed in 2018 by drummer Sam Kay, bassist Connor Reilly and guitarist Tom Black as well as vocalist Olli Appleyard, who had been working as a photographer and videographer for a number of bands.[1][2] Appleyard, Reilly and Black had previously been involved with the band Galleries.[3] At the time, Reilly had recently moved from Manchester to Leeds, which led the group to begin writing music in various different styles, trying to find their sound.[1] The earliest sound the band began creating was hardcore punk, however no music from this period was released.[4]

They released their debut single "Clean" on 16 August 2019. The single was accompanied by a music video directed by Appleyard and Kay.[3] They made their live debut at the Glasgow practice room in on 3 October of the same year, opening for Decay. In the following days they also performed in Leeds and Liverpool.[5] Soon after, they were asked to open for Dream State and Creeper on their own headline tours.[1] On 28 November 2019, they released their second single "Adaptive Taste".[6] From 6 February to 20 February 2020, the opened for Counterparts on their UK headline tour, alongside Can't Swim and Chamber.[7][8] On the final date of the tour, they livestreamed a live performance, releasing it under the title "Time To Reset".[9] On 14 April 2020, they released the single "Safeword",[10] which was accompanied by a music video,[11] filmed over FaceTime, due to the then-ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.[12] On 11 July 2020, they released the single "Indecent".[13] On 3 September 2020, they released the single "For the Attention of...".[14][15] On 20 June 2021, they performed at the Download Festival pilot,[16] and the 2021 Slam Dunk Festival in September.[17][18] Between 28 October and 6 November 2021, they opened for Yours Truly on their UK headline tour alongside Wargasm.[19] On 4 June 2021, they release the single "Sweet."[20][21] Prior to the release of "Sweet.", Black and Kay departed from the group, leading to the recruitment of anonymous guitarist Contrast and drummer Sam Ogden.[22] November 2 to 20, they toured supporting Higher Power on their UK headline tour.[23] On 5 November 2021, they released the single "Sober Exit(s)", and announced that the single would be a part of their debut EP "Prologue...". The EP was released on 3 December 2021, coinciding with the release of a companion comic book illustrated by Tanya Kenny and written by Appleyard.[24] In December 2020 they opened for Creeper on their UK headline tour alongside Holding Absence and Wargasm.[25] On 6 January 2022, they released the single "Di-sinTer" featuring King Yosef.[26]

In February 2022, they opened for Knocked Loose and Terror on their UK co-headline tour.[27] On 14 February, they announced that their debut album Rouge Carpet Disaster would be released on 18 May.[28] On 23 February, they released the single "Such a Shame" and announced their debut UK headline would take place between 10 and 16 April.[29] On 20 April, they released the single "Fleahouse".[30] Between 10 November and 17 December, they toured the United States in support of Loathe.[31] Bassist Connor Reilly announced his departure from the band on 30 January 2023 citing personal issues via a statement on Instagram.[32] In February, they supported Bring Me the Horizon on their European tour.[33] On 18 May, they announced a deluxe version of Rouge Carpet Disaster would be released on 15 September, accompanied by the release of a reworked version "Courtney, Just Relax" featuring World Of Pleasure and that they had been signed to Roadrunner Records.[34] On 27 and 28 May, they performed at Slam Dunk Festival, and on 10 June they performed at Download Festival.[35] On 27 June, they released a reworked version of "Such.a.Shame",[36] which was followed on 17 August by "Di-Sinter (Glitter Redux)"[37] and "Attempt 8" featuring Sophie Meiers on 19 September.[38] On 20 October, the band surprised dropped Rouge Carpet Disaster (Redux) Volume 2, a four track EP containing addition reworked tracks from Rouge Carpet Disaster as well as one live recording: "Lye Solution" featuring Loathe, BVDLVD and Hail the Sun; "...Maybe!!?" remixed by Oblivion and featuring Bodyweb and Ryder Johnson; "Sweet" performed live at Barclays Arena and "Cubical Dialogue" remixed by I'm Letting Unseen Forces Take the Wheel.[39]

Artistry

Musical style
Static Dress playing at Aftershock Festival 2023.

The band's music has been categorised as post-hardcore,[2][1][40][41] metalcore,[42][43] screamo[44][45] and emo.[2][1][46][47][48] They often make use of elements of alternative rock, electronic music,[22] jazz, gospel, americana,[49] punk rock and nu metal,[50] and produce ambient tracks as a means of world building.[51] PopMatters cited them as a frontrunner of the "scene metalcore revival",[42] while Revolver cited them as a part of the "post-hardcore revival".[52] Dork called their music "a revamped take on '90s hardcore and '00s emo".[49] In a 2021 interview with The Line of Best Fit, when asked about the band's categorisations and comparisons, Appleyard stated "I look at these scene bands we're compared to and I’m like... If you like that, you’ll like this – but I wouldn’t say it’s derived from it".[53]

Revolver magazine writer Eli Enis stated that they use a "push-pull between strained screams and eye-lined pop-punk hooks, Static Dress tickle the Y2K nostalgia senses without falling victim to pure homage".[52] Rock Sound writer Jack Roger stated that they make use of "gorgeous choruses, corrosive riffs and a truly infectious atmosphere".[54] DeadPress writer Michael Heath described their sound as "2000s tinged yet experimental brand of post-hardcore".[55] Upset magazine said they have "a frenetic sound that is rooted in late 00s post-hardcore and emo akin to Underoath, Emery and My Chemical Romance... with its cinematic and cryptographic undertones, it becomes apparent that there is a mastermind creating a narrative within both the music and their visual counterparts"[56] Underground Under Dogs writer Mike Giegerich stated that "Olli Appleyard is meticulous in crafting his band’s expansive palette, intentionally avoiding contemporary influences for distinctly original worldbuilding. His approach shines through as Static Dress define their own point of view within the broader context of alternative sounds, existing in a space where free-time ambient and poetic post-hardcore are able to thrive simultaneously".[57]

The band have cited musical influences including Converge, Fleshwater, Ethel Cain, Youth Code, King Yosef, Bodyweb, Sølv, 100 Gecs, Modern Color, Twink Obliterator, Dorian Electra, the 1980s funk and soul group Twilight, Tennis, Wingtips, A Knife in the Dark, Haarper, John Carpenter, Augustus Muller, Boy Harsher, Puma Blue, Myles Cameron and Nafets.[58]

Imagery and worldbuilding

Kerrang! writer Mischa Pearlman described as "a vivid alternate universe centred around a semi-fictionalised version of [Appleyard]."[22] Both the band's lyrics and imagery follow overarching storylines, which Appleyard has stated he "never want[s] to allow to cross paths".[59] The majority of their earliest songs were accompanied by music videos, that make use of reoccurring imagery. Several of the music videos all take place in the same room with striped green and white wallpaper and a red rotary phone.[4] The band's livestreamed performances in 2020 and 2021, included QR codes which linked to a Dropbox containing a cover of "One of Us Is the Killer" by the Dillinger Escape Plan and clip of Marilyn Monroe discussing happiness.[4]

The music videos from Prologue... are part of a "spin-off" of the original storyline, where the characters are looking at themselves and reflecting on "what could have been".[59] The EP released alongside a comic book illustrated by Tanya Kenny and written by Appleyard. The comic book and song storylines take place directly before the events of Rouge Carpet Disaster. Its cassette included a second side containing an audio commentary of the tracks on the soundtrack. An earlier version of the EP was also distributed at Slam Dunk festival 2021 which included multiple "mysteries for people to solve". This version was never intended for mainstream release.[51]

Appleyard has cited influences on the band's imagery as including Floria Sigismondi, Tim Burton, James Wan and the Cell,[4] as well as the aesthetics of hyperpop and hip hop music.[49]

Members
Current members
  • Olli Appleyard – lead vocals (2018–present)
  • Sam Ogden – drums (2021–present)
  • Contrast – guitar, backing vocals (2021–present)
  • George Holding - bass, backing vocals (2022–present)
Former members
  • Tom Black – guitar (2018–2021)
  • Sam Kay – drums (2018–2021)
  • Connor Reilly – bass, backing vocals (2018–2022)

Discography
Albums
  • Rouge Carpet Disaster (2022)
EPs
  • Prologue... (2021) [60]
  • Rouge Carpet Disaster (Redux) Volume 2 (2023)
Demos
Video albums
  • Season One (2020)
Singles
Title Year Album
"Clean" 2019 Non-album singles
"DSC 301"
"Adaptive Taste"
"Safeword" 2020
"For the Attention Of"
"Indecent"
"Sweet" 2021 Rouge Carpet Disaster
"Sober Exits" Prologue...
"Di-Sinter"
(feat. King Yosef)		 2022 Rouge Carpet Disaster
"Such.a.Shame"
"Fleahouse"
"Courtney, Just relax"
(feat. World of Pleasure)		 2023 Rouge Carpet Disaster (Redux)
"Marisol" / "Cubicle Dialogue"[62]
"Such.a.Shame"
(Smoking Lounge Redux)
"Di-Sinter"
(Glitter Redux)
Music videos
Title Year Director
"Clean." 2019 Sam Kay & Olli Appleyard
"DSC_301"
"Adaptive Taste" Zak Pinchin, Olli Appleyard & Sam Kay
"Safeword" 2020 Static Dress
"For the Attention of..."
"Indecent_"
"Sweet." 2021
"Sober Exit(s)"
"Vague."
"Di-Sinter"
(feat. King Yosef)		 2022
"Such.a.Shame"
"Fleahouse"
"Unexplainabletitlesleavingyouwonderingwhy (Welcome In)"
"Courtney, Just relax"
(feat. World of Pleasure)		 2023 Static Dress
"Such.a.Shame"
(Smoking Lounge Redux)
"Di-Sinter"
(Glitter Redux)
"Attempt 8"
(feat. Sophie Meiers)
"Lye solution"
(feat. Loathe, BVDLVD, Hail The Sun)

Accolades
Nominated work Year Award Result
Static Dress 2021 Heavy Music Awards - Best UK Breakthrough Band[63] Nominated
Kerrang Readers' Poll - New Band Of The Year[64] Won

References
  1. "Why Independence Is So Important To Static Dress". Kerrang!. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  2. Dunn, Frankie (4 February 2021). "Static Dress are the post-hardcore band from Leeds making you miss MySpace". i-D. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  3. Redrup, Zach (16 August 2019). "NEWS: Static Dress introduce themselves with debut single, 'Clean'!". Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  4. Garland, Emma. "Static Dress Are Remaking Post-Hardcore for Gen Z". Vice Media. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  5. Redrup, Zach (17 September 2019). "INTERVIEW: Static Dress (15/09/2019)". Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  6. Redrup, Zach (28 November 2019). "NEWS: Static Dress unveil video for new song, 'Adaptive Taste'!". Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  7. Blackburn, Stevie (26 November 2019). "NEWS: Counterparts confirm UK tour for February 2020!". Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  8. "Counterparts Announce UK/European Tour With Can't Swim". Kerrang!. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  9. Ottie, Mateo (8 February 2021). "STATIC DRESS ANNOUNCE LIVESTREAM CONCERT EVENT "TIME TO RESET"". Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  10. ROGERS, JACK. "STATIC DRESS HAVE RELEASED A FRANTIC NEW SONG". RockSound. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  11. Redrup, Zach (14 April 2020). "NEWS: Static Dress debut video for new song, 'Safeword'!". Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  12. ROGERS, JACK. "THIS IS HOW STATIC DRESS MADE THE VISUALS FOR THEIR TRACK "SAFEWORD" WHILST IN LOCKDOWN". RockSound. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  13. "Static Dress - indecent_". Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  14. ROGERS, JACK. "LISTEN: STATIC DRESS' BRILLIANTLY FEROCIOUS NEW TRACK". RockSound. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  15. Redrup, Zach (3 September 2020). "NEWS: Static Dress debut video for new song, 'For The Attention Of…'!". Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  16. Edwards, Scott (28 May 2021). "Frank Carter, Enter Shikari and Bullet For My Valentine to play Download Festival Pilot". Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  17. Tuck, Dylan (8 March 2021). "NEWS: Slam Dunk Festival confirm revised line-up for 2021!". Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  18. Taylor, Sam (29 April 2021). "Waterparks are going to play this year's Slam Dunk". Dork. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  19. Tuck, Dylan (11 January 2021). "NEWS: Yours Truly to support Holding Absence on Oct/Nov 2021 UK tour!". Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  20. "Static Dress have released their first new single and video of the year, 'Sweet'". Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  21. Taylor, Sam (5 June 2021). "Leeds post-hardcore newcomers Static Dress have dropped a new single, 'Sweet'". Dork. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  22. Pearlman, Mischa. "Static Dress: "This genre has so much to be explored, but no-one wants to do it because everyone's too scared of not being cool for 10 minutes"". Kerrang!. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  23. Law, Sam. "Higher Power: "We are freaks. We are weirdos. Let's embrace it!"". Kerrang!. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  24. Ewens, Hannah (5 November 2021). "Static Dress premiere new video for 'sober exit(s)' and announce new EP". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  25. Carter, Emily. "Updated: A round-up of all tours and events affected by coronavirus in 2021". Kerrang!. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  26. Qureshi, Arusa (6 January 2022). "Watch Static Dress' video for explosive new single 'Di-sinTer'". NME. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  27. Carter, Emily. "Static Dress to join Knocked Loose and Terror's UK co-headline tour". Kerrang!. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  28. Edwards, Joe. "Static Dress Announce Release Date For "Rouge Carpet Disaster"". Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  29. "Static Dress announce debut album, UK headline tour". Kerrang!. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  30. "STATIC DRESS UNLEASH NEW TRACK 'FLEAHOUSE'". DIY. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  31. Carter, Emily. "Loathe announce 2022 U.S. tour with Static Dress and more". Kerrang!. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  32. "Static Dress's Connor Reilly departs band". Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  33. Carter, Emily. "Static Dress join Bring Me The Horizon's European 2023 tour dates". Kerrang!. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  34. Carter, Emily. "Static Dress sign to Roadrunner, announce Rouge Carpet Disaster (Redux)". Kerrang!. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  35. "Seven Must-See Acts At Download 2023". Dork. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  36. Carter, Emily. "Static Dress unveil stunning new version of such.a.shame". Kerrang!. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  37. "STATIC DRESS PREMIERES "DI-SINTER" (GLITTER REDUX) VIDEO". Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  38. Taylor, Sam. "STATIC DRESS HAVE RELEASED A NEW VIDEO FOR 'ATTEMPT 8 [FT. SOPHIE MEIERS]', FROM THEIR NEW DELUXE REISSUE". Dork. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  39. "Static Dress Surprise Release "Rouge Carpet Disaster (Redux) Volume 2", Debut Reworked Track With Loathe, Hail The Sun & More". Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  40. "Static Dress - Rouge Carpet Disaster". Clash Music.
  41. "Album Review: Static Dress - Rouge Carpet Disaster". Gig Wise.
  42. Stewart, Ethan (25 May 2021). "From Hardcore to Harajuku: the Origins of Scene Subculture". PopMatters. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  43. "BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, ENTER SHIKARI And FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES To Headline Next Month's DOWNLOAD PILOT". Blabbermouth.net. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  44. "11 BANDS LEADING THE SCREAMO REVIVAL". Loudwire.
  45. "Static Dress on recording one of the most intriguing UK rock debuts in years". Rolling Stone.
  46. "STATIC DRESS - ROUGE CARPET DISASTER". DIY.
  47. "Static Dress - Rouge Carpet Disaster". Clash Music.
  48. "Static Dress announce debut album with emo blinder 'such.a.shame'". Gig Wise.
  49. Shutler, Ali. "STATIC DRESS: "WE WANT TO BE PUTTING OUT ART THAT MAKES PEOPLE GO 'WOW'"". Dork. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  50. JorgeM93 (24 May 2020). "Top 8 Bands That Are Bringing Nu Metal Forward". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  51. Jamieson, Sarah. "STATIC DRESS: "I NEVER WANT ANYTHING TO BE THE EASY WAY, OR THE CONVENTIONAL WAY OF DOING THINGS"". DIY. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  52. Enis, Eli (4 June 2021). "6 BEST NEW SONGS RIGHT NOW: 6/4/21". Revolver. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  53. Walker, Sophie. "On the Rise: Static Dress". Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  54. ROGERS, JACK. "STATIC DRESS HAVE RELEASED AN INTOXICATINGLY FIERCE NEW TRACK". RockSound. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  55. Heath, Michael (29 December 2020). "BANDS TO WATCH IN 2021!". Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  56. Kelly, Tyler Damara. "Static Dress: "I want to bring back people getting involved with a record"". Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  57. GIEGERICH, MIKE (5 March 2021). "Static Dress Comes Calling with an Alternative Dream". Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  58. "LISTEN TO STATIC DRESS' PLAYLIST OF TRACKS THAT INFLUENCED ROUGE CARPET DISASTER (REDUX)". Crack. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  59. ROGERS, JACK. "STATIC DRESS' OLLI APPLEYARD: "THE LEVEL OF CARE WE PUT INTO EVERYTHING WE DO WILL NEVER DIMINISH"". RockSound. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  60. "Static Dress Have Announced The Details Of 'Prologue…', A New Comic Book/Soundtrack Project". 5 November 2021.
  61. "Static Dress Release Announce Debut EP + Release Single "sober exit(s)"". 5 November 2021.
  62. "Static Dress – Marisol / Cubicle Dialogue (2023, Blue, Vinyl) - Discogs"". 27 May 2023.
  63. Childers, Chad. "2021 HEAVY MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES REVEALED". Loudwire. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  64. "The 2021 Readers' Poll Results: What has ruled your year?". Kerrang!. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
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