Static Dress

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Static Dress
Static Dress.png
Static Dress performing at Slam Dunk Festival 2021
Background information
OriginLeeds, West Yorkshire, UK
Genres
Years active2018–present
Websitestaticdress.com
Members
  • Olli Appleyard
  • Connor Reilly
  • Sam Ogden
  • Contrast
Past members
  • Tom Black
  • Sam Kay

Static Dress is an English hardcore punk band from Leeds, West Yorkshire. Formed in 2018, by former Galleries members Olli Appleyard (vocals), Sam Kay (drums) and Tom Black (guitar), along with Connor Reilly (bass). In 2021, Kay and Black departed from the group, being replaced by Contrast (guitar) and Sam Ogden (drums). They have released one EP, one demo and eight singles.

The band are a prominent player in the 2020s scene metalcore revival and post-hardcore revival.

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 are set to open for Yours Truly on their UK headline tour alongside Wargasm.[19] On 4 June 2021, they release the single "Sweet."[20][21]

In Autumn 2021, Black and Gray 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]

Artistry[]

Musical style[]

The band's music has been categorised as metalcore,[27][28] post-hardcore[2][1] and emo.[2][1] They often make use of elements of alternative rock and electronic music,[22] and produce ambient tracks as a means of world building.[29] PopMatters cited them as a frontrunner of the "scene metalcore revival",[27] while Revolver cited them as a part of the "post-hardcore revival".[30] 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".[31]

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".[30] Rock Sound writer Jack Roger stated that they make use of "gorgeous choruses, corrosive riffs and a truly infectious atmosphere".[32] DeadPress writer Michael Heath described their sound as "2000s tinged yet experimental brand of post-hardcore".[33] 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"[34] 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".[35]

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".[36] The majority of their earliest songs were accompanied by music videos, that make use of reocurring imagery. The video for the songs released prior to the Prologue... EP, all took 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]

Their debut EP Prologue... is a part of a "spin-off" of the original storyline, where the characters are looking at themselves and reflecting on "what could have been".[36] The EP released alongside a comic book illustrated by Tanya Kenny and written by Appleyard. Its cassette included a second side containing an audio version of the comic. An earlier version of the EP was also disturbed at Slam Dunk festival 2021 which included multiple "mysteries for people to solve". This version was never intended for mainstream release.[29]

Appleyard has cited influences on the band's imagery as including Floria Sigismondi, Tim Burton, James Wan and the Cell.[4]

Members[]

Current members
  • Olli Appleyard – lead vocals (2018–present)
  • Connor Reilly – bass (2018–present)
  • Sam Ogden – drums (2021–present)
  • Contrast – guitar (2021–present)
Former members
  • Tom Black – guitar (2018–2021)
  • Sam Kay – drums (2018–2021)

Discography[]

Albums
  • Rouge Carpet Disaster (2022)[37]
EPs
  • Prologue... (2021) [38]
Demos
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 Exit(s)" Prologue...
"Di-sinTer" 2022 Rouge Carpet Disaster

Accolades[]

Nominated work Year Award Result
Static Dress 2021 Heavy Music Awards - Best UK Breakthrough Band[40] Nominated
Kerrang Readers' Poll - New Band Of The Year[41] Won

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Why Independence Is So Important To Static Dress". Kerrang!. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Dunn, Frankie. "Static Dress are the post-hardcore band from Leeds making you miss MySpace". i-D. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b Redrup, Zach. "NEWS: Static Dress introduce themselves with debut single, 'Clean'!". Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d Garland, Emma. "Static Dress Are Remaking Post-Hardcore for Gen Z". Vice Media. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  5. ^ Redrup, Zach. "INTERVIEW: Static Dress (15/09/2019)". Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  6. ^ Redrup, Zach. "NEWS: Static Dress unveil video for new song, 'Adaptive Taste'!". Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  7. ^ Blackburn, Stevie. "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. "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. "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. "NEWS: Static Dress debut video for new song, 'For The Attention Of…'!". Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  16. ^ Edwards, Scott. "Frank Carter, Enter Shikari and Bullet For My Valentine to play Download Festival Pilot". Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  17. ^ Tuck, Dylan. "NEWS: Slam Dunk Festival confirm revised line-up for 2021!". Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  18. ^ Taylor, Sam. "Waterparks are going to play this year's Slam Dunk". Dork. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  19. ^ Tuck, Dylan. "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. "Leeds post-hardcore newcomers Static Dress have dropped a new single, 'Sweet'". Dork. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  22. ^ a b c 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. "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. "Watch Static Dress' video for explosive new single 'Di-sinTer'". NME. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  27. ^ a b Stewart, Ethan. "From Hardcore to Harajuku: the Origins of Scene Subculture". PopMatters. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  28. ^ "BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, ENTER SHIKARI And FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES To Headline Next Month's DOWNLOAD PILOT". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  29. ^ a b 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.
  30. ^ a b Enis, Eli. "6 BEST NEW SONGS RIGHT NOW: 6/4/21". Revolver. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  31. ^ Walker, Sophie. "On the Rise: Static Dress". Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  32. ^ ROGERS, JACK. "STATIC DRESS HAVE RELEASED AN INTOXICATINGLY FIERCE NEW TRACK". RockSound. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  33. ^ Heath, Michael. "BANDS TO WATCH IN 2021!". Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  34. ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara. "Static Dress: "I want to bring back people getting involved with a record"". Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  35. ^ GIEGERICH, MIKE. "Static Dress Comes Calling with an Alternative Dream". Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  36. ^ a b ROGERS, JACK. "STATIC DRESS' OLLI APPLEYARD: "THE LEVEL OF CARE WE PUT INTO EVERYTHING WE DO WILL NEVER DIMINISH"". RockSound. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  37. ^ "STATIC DRESS – ROUGE CARPET DISASTER". Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  38. ^ https://www.rocksound.tv/news/read/static-dress-have-announced-the-details-of-prologue...-a-comic-book-soundtr
  39. ^ https://boolintunes.com/2021/11/05/static-dress-release-announce-debut-ep-release-single-sober-exits/
  40. ^ Childers, Chad. "2021 HEAVY MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES REVEALED". Loudwire. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  41. ^ "The 2021 Readers' Poll Results: What has ruled your year?". Kerrang!. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
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