Static Dress
Static Dress is an English post-hardcore band from Leeds, West Yorkshire, formed in 2018 by vocalist Olli Appleyard alongside former members of the disbanded group Galleries.[1] The band blends intense, riff-driven instrumentation with emotional, introspective lyrics, drawing influences from early 2000s acts like Underoath, Alexisonfire, and The Bled to create a contemporary sound characterized by dynamic shifts between heavy aggression and melodic vulnerability.[1][2] The band was formed by Appleyard and former members of Galleries. The current lineup consists of Appleyard on vocals, drummer Sam Ogden, bassist George Holding, and guitarist Vincent Weight.[3][4] Static Dress quickly distinguished themselves through an enigmatic aesthetic, incorporating VHS-inspired visuals, cryptic narratives, and multimedia elements into their output.[1] Their debut release, the 2021 project Prologue..., paired a comic book—written by Appleyard and illustrated by Tanya Kenny—with an accompanying soundtrack, exploring themes of false hope and surreal dream worlds through tracks like "sober exit(s)."[5] The band's 2022 debut studio album Rouge Carpet Disaster marked a breakthrough, delivering raw, gut-spilling post-hardcore across 12 tracks that critics praised for redefining emo influences in a chaotic, immersive package.[2][6] In 2023, they signed to Roadrunner Records and released a redux version of the album.[7] Their 2025 single "face."—written, produced, and mixed by Erik Bickerstaffe—continued their tradition of high-fidelity emotional depth, available in formats up to 24-bit/48kHz audio.[8] With sporadic single drops and tours including a 2025 US tour, Static Dress has cultivated a dedicated following, often highlighted in reviews for their theatrical energy and community-driven appeal during shows.[9][10][11]History
Formation, early singles and Prologue... (2018–2021)
Static Dress was formed in 2018 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, by vocalist Olli Appleyard as a creative outlet that integrated music production with visual branding and multimedia elements. Appleyard, who had built a background in photography by shooting promotional images for local bands in Leeds and Manchester—including his previous project Galleries—envisioned Static Dress as a platform to showcase his skills in videography, world-building, and artistic direction, initially treating it as a personal portfolio rather than a traditional band.[1][12][13] The band's early lineup drew from Appleyard's connections in the local scene, featuring Appleyard on vocals, drummer Sam Kay, guitarist Tom Black, and bassist Connor Reilly—all former members of Galleries or related projects. This configuration allowed for an experimental approach, blending post-hardcore instrumentation with electronic and atmospheric influences. In August 2019, Static Dress made their debut with the single "clean.", uploaded directly to YouTube without promotional hype, which garnered 16,000 views on its first day and marked their entry into the UK post-hardcore landscape. The track's accompanying music video, directed by Appleyard, highlighted the project's emphasis on visual storytelling from the outset.[1][14] The band faced lineup instability around 2020–2021, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited activities and led to the departure of founding members Sam Kay and Tom Black in mid-2021. These changes resulted in a more streamlined core, with drummer Sam Ogden joining to provide stability for upcoming releases and performances. In June 2021, Static Dress released the single "sweet.", further building anticipation through its intense, hook-driven sound and self-produced video. The group also began performing live again after a 16-month hiatus, playing fewer than 20 shows total in their early years at small UK venues and securing their first festival slot at the Download Festival pilot event in June 2021.[1][14] A pivotal moment came on December 3, 2021, with the release of "Prologue...", a nine-track EP functioning as the soundtrack to an accompanying comic book. Co-designed by the band and artist Tanya Kenny, the 30-page comic introduced a narrative universe that intertwined music with serialized storytelling, featuring four full songs alongside five experimental soundscapes. This project solidified Static Dress's innovative approach, while their online presence grew through cryptic social media teasers, QR codes in videos, and interactive fan communities, cultivating a dedicated following without relying on conventional promotion.[14][15]Rouge Carpet Disaster (2022–2024)
In 2022, Static Dress solidified their lineup with the addition of bassist George Holding, following drummer Sam Ogden's permanent join in 2021, enabling the band to focus on their debut full-length album after an experimental early phase marked by EPs and singles.[16] The group self-released Rouge Carpet Disaster on May 18, building anticipation through teasers and visual promotions that tied into the album's narrative of self-destructive catharsis and Hollywood's glitzy underbelly.[17][18] Featuring tracks like "safeword," the 12-song record blended post-hardcore intensity with emo and pop elements, exploring themes of personal turmoil through raw, narrative-driven lyrics and dynamic instrumentation.[19][20] The album's launch spurred early merchandise tie-ins, including vinyl variants and apparel echoing its thematic imagery of decay and glamour, which deepened fan immersion in the band's worldbuilding.[21] Fan engagement grew through intimate events and social media interactions centered on the album's story, fostering a dedicated community around its conceptual depth.[22] By mid-2023, this momentum led to Static Dress signing with Roadrunner Records on May 18, expanding their reach for wider distribution.[23] The label partnership facilitated the release of Rouge Carpet Disaster (Redux) on September 15, a deluxe edition with remixed tracks featuring collaborators like World of Pleasure and Sophie Meiers, plus additional content that reimagined the original's emotional core.[24][25] Key performances during this period, including sets at Download Festival on June 10, 2023, and Slam Dunk Festival in late May, elevated the band's international visibility, drawing larger crowds to showcase the album's live energy.[26][27] These appearances highlighted the group's evolving stage presence and connected with fans through high-energy renditions of standout tracks. In May 2024, Static Dress signaled artistic evolution with the standalone single "crying," a soaring post-hardcore piece released on May 15 that echoed the debut's melodic intensity while hinting at future directions.[28]Recent releases and tours (2025–present)
In April 2025, Static Dress expanded to a five-piece lineup with the official introduction of guitarist Vincent Weight, who had previously contributed to the band's live performances as the masked figure Contrast. This announcement coincided with the release of the single "face" on April 3, marking the band's first new original music since "crying" in 2024 and showcasing a pulsating post-hardcore style with emotional intensity.[4][29][30] To bolster their growing international presence, Static Dress signed with Gold Theory management on October 14, 2025, under Colin Feeney, a move aimed at enhancing their career trajectory amid expanding U.S. and global touring commitments. The current lineup features vocalist Olli Appleyard, drummer Sam Ogden, bassist George Holding, guitarist Vincent Weight, and an anonymous additional guitarist for live shows, allowing the band to deliver fuller, more dynamic performances.[31] The band kicked off 2025 with their debut U.S. headline run, the Crying Across the USA Tour, from April 17 to May 11, supported by Soul Blind and visiting cities including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. This spring outing built momentum for further North American activity, including a fall/winter support slot on Dying Wish's Flesh Stays Together 2025 Tour from November 14 to December 12, alongside Gouge Away, Orthodox, and Boltcutter, spanning venues from Nashville to Portland.[32][33] A highlight of the year's festival circuit was Static Dress's appearance at Download Festival on June 14, 2025, at Donington Park in Castle Donington, England, where they opened the Apex Stage from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. with a high-energy set drawing an enthusiastic early crowd, praised by attendees for its raw execution despite the modest turnout typical of an opening slot.[34][35][36]Artistry
Musical style
Static Dress is primarily classified as a post-hardcore band, blending elements of metalcore, emo, electronic music, and alternative rock to create a sound that draws from the 2000s post-hardcore revival while appealing to contemporary audiences through catchy, TikTok-friendly hooks.[31][1][37] The band's style often evokes comparisons to influential acts like Underoath, Alexisonfire, The Bled, and My Chemical Romance, characterized by a modern fusion of dissonance, pop-infused melodies, and nostalgic emo undertones that resonate with Gen Z listeners.[1][38] This eclectic approach results in tracks that balance throwback aggression with fresh, genre-blending experimentation, as seen in their emphasis on immersive, concept-driven sonics.[39][40] Central to their sound is the versatile vocal performance of frontman Olli Appleyard, who alternates between soaring clean vocals and intense screamed or growled deliveries, driving dynamic shifts from delicate, atmospheric builds to explosive heavy breakdowns.[38][1] Instrumentation features pulsing guitar riffs that incorporate mathy, intricate patterns, punchy and flickering percussion on drums, and bass-driven grooves that provide a visceral foundation, often layered to heighten emotional intensity.[38] These elements create a push-pull tension between harsh and melodic textures, exemplified in songs like "...Maybe?!!" with its riff-heavy propulsion and "Marisol" with its restrained, evocative builds.[1][38] Electronic production plays a prominent role, with synths, samples, autotune, and lo-fi beats adding ethereal textures and modern edge, particularly in releases such as the 2021 EP Prologue... (Comic Book Soundtrack) and the 2022 album Rouge Carpet Disaster.[37][38] This integration of electronica with post-hardcore aggression distinguishes their work, evoking a mix of emo nostalgia and experimental video game-inspired sounds.[40][37] The band's sonic evolution reflects a progression from the raw, DIY aesthetic of their 2019 debut single "clean.", which featured gritty, straightforward post-hardcore energy, to the more polished and theatrical genre-blending of Rouge Carpet Disaster in 2022, escalating in complexity and production finesse from earlier EPs like Prologue....[38] This trajectory continued into 2025 with the single "face.", which sharpens their 2000s-inspired vibe through refined modern production, maintaining core dynamics while enhancing emotional depth and accessibility.[31]Imagery and worldbuilding
Static Dress has cultivated a distinctive visual and narrative universe that intertwines with their music, beginning with the 2021 release of the Prologue... EP, which served as the soundtrack to a 30-page comic book co-created by frontman Olli Appleyard and artist Tanya Kenny. This comic introduces a surreal, noirish setting centered on themes of personal horror, including toxic relationships and psychological unraveling, establishing an immersive lore that unfolds across subsequent works.[41][42] In the Rouge Carpet Disaster era, the band's imagery revolves around the "rouge" motif, symbolizing emotional facades, bloodshed, and chaotic passion, often depicted through stark red and black color schemes in music videos and album artwork. These visuals evoke a sense of concealed turmoil, with recurring elements like smeared makeup and shadowed figures reinforcing the narrative of deception and inner conflict.[42][1] Olli Appleyard plays a pivotal role in shaping the band's aesthetic as the primary photographer and designer, drawing from his background in rock show photography to craft glitchy, retro-futuristic visuals that nod to 2000s emo culture, including VHS-style distortions, cold lighting, and motifs such as green-and-white striped wallpaper alongside red accents like rotary phones. This approach creates a cohesive, otherworldly atmosphere that blends digital glitches with analog nostalgia.[39][1] The band's worldbuilding extends into multimedia projects, notably the 2024 release of Rouge Carpet Disaster: The Video Game, a Game Boy Color-exclusive title developed over three years that delves into the album's lore by exploring character backstories in a multi-level format, complete with 8-bit reinterpretations of the tracks and revelations about settings like the enigmatic Hotel Disdain—interpreted in fan lore as a psychiatric facility with possible supernatural elements. Symbolic imagery, such as masks representing hidden identities and fractured mirrors illustrating psychological fragmentation, permeates these elements, underscoring broader themes of mental health struggles, fluid identity, and fractured relationships.[43][42][39] Fan engagement amplifies this universe through interactive lore drops on platforms like Twitter and Twitch, including AR filters that allow users to overlay thematic visuals, alongside cryptic social media clues, QR codes in videos, and community discussions on subreddits and Discord, fostering a dedicated cult following invested in decoding the narrative's puzzles.[42][1]Band members
Current members
The current lineup of Static Dress, as of November 2025, consists of five members.[3][31] Olli Appleyard serves as the band's founder, lead vocalist, and creative director, having been involved since its formation in 2018.[3][44] Sam Ogden handles drums, having joined in 2021 and providing the key rhythmic foundation for both live performances and studio recordings.[3][16] Contrast performs on guitar as the masked and anonymous member, having joined in 2021.[3][31] George Holding plays bass, joining in 2022 and contributing to the low-end drive central to the band's post-hardcore sound.[16][45][3] Vincent Weight performs on guitar, officially joining the band in 2025 after previously assisting in production on tracks like "indecent_"; he adds lead riffing to the lineup.[3][46][4]Former members
Static Dress's original lineup, formed in 2018, consisted of vocalist Olli Appleyard, drummer Sam Kay, guitarist Tom Black, and bassist Connor Reilly, all of whom contributed to the band's early singles up to early 2021.[47][48] In 2021, founding drummer Sam Kay and guitarist Tom Black departed the band midway through the recording of the debut album Rouge Carpet Disaster, amid intense creative strain and production challenges that tested the group's dynamics.[49][1] Kay and Black had been integral to the band's shift from a casual project rooted in prior collaborations (including the band Galleries) to a more structured post-hardcore outfit, though their exits highlighted the difficulties of maintaining friendships within a professional music context.[1] Bassist Connor Reilly, another founding member, announced his departure on January 30, 2023, citing personal financial difficulties resulting from poor decisions made at age 18, which had accumulated into significant debt and affected his commitment to touring and band obligations.[50][51] Reilly's tenure spanned the band's formative years and early professional milestones, including contributions to singles up to 2022.[48] These lineup changes around 2021 and 2023, involving the exit of three original members without public controversy, facilitated Static Dress's evolution into a stable ensemble better suited for label support and extensive touring.[49]Discography
Studio albums
Static Dress has released one studio album, evolving from early EPs and singles into polished productions tied to the band's multimedia concepts. Rouge Carpet Disaster, the band's debut studio album, was self-released on May 18, 2022. Comprising 12 tracks, including the single "safeword," it garnered attention in the alternative rock community. The album showcased a maturation in production, incorporating electronic and emo influences.[52] A deluxe remixed companion, Rouge Carpet Disaster (Redux), followed on September 15, 2023, via Roadrunner Records, expanding to 16 tracks with bonus remixes and additional content. This version reimagined originals with guest contributions and altered arrangements, appealing to dedicated listeners while maintaining the core thematic disaster motif. Physical releases included deluxe editions with artwork variants.[25]EPs and singles
Static Dress began releasing music independently with a series of standalone singles in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Their debut single, "clean.", was issued on August 15, 2019, and has since accumulated over 9 million streams on Spotify as of November 2025.[53][54] This was followed by "safeword" on April 14, 2020, which garnered more than 3.6 million Spotify streams and featured a music video filmed remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.[55][56] Additional early singles included "indecent_." later that year. In November 2020, the band compiled these early releases into the self-released EP 2019 - 2024, which features six tracks totaling 15 minutes, including "clean.", "safeword", and "indecent_.". A reissue appeared on Roadrunner Records on May 13, 2024.[57] The following year, Static Dress issued the single "sober exit(s)" on November 5, 2021, ahead of their debut EP Prologue... (Comic Book Soundtrack), released December 3, 2021, also self-released and tied to a companion comic book.[15] The nine-track EP served as a narrative precursor tied to their immersive worldbuilding.[5][58] After signing with Roadrunner Records in May 2023, Static Dress focused on reimagined versions of prior material through the Rouge Carpet Disaster (Redux) series. The full deluxe album arrived on September 15, 2023, followed by surprise EPs vol.2 on October 20, 2023, and vol.3 on November 3, 2023, each containing four reworked tracks with guest features from artists like Loathe and Creeper.[59][60] The band's first post-signing standalone singles arrived in 2024 with "crying" on May 15, accompanied by an official music video and exceeding 1 million Spotify streams.[61][62] This was followed by "face." on April 4, 2025, also via Roadrunner, featuring a music video directed by frontman Olli Appleyard; the track has surpassed 1 million streams on Spotify as of November 2025.[30][63] These digital singles emphasized the band's evolving sound and digital promotion strategy, with streaming metrics highlighting their growing international audience.| Title | Type | Release Date | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "clean." | Single | August 15, 2019 | Self-released | Over 9 million Spotify streams as of November 2025; music video directed by Olli Appleyard and Sam Kay.[53][54] |
| "safeword" | Single | April 14, 2020 | Self-released | Over 3.6 million Spotify streams; FaceTime-filmed music video.[55][56] |
| 2019 - 2024 | EP | November 20, 2020 (original); May 13, 2024 (reissue) | Self-released / Roadrunner Records | 6 tracks compiling early material; 15 minutes total.[57] |
| "sober exit(s)" | Single | November 5, 2021 | Self-released | Led into Prologue... EP.[5] |
| Prologue... (Comic Book Soundtrack) | EP | December 3, 2021 | Self-released | 9 tracks; companion to comic book by Tanya Kenny and Olli Appleyard.[15][58] |
| "sweet." | Single | June 4, 2021 | Self-released | Over 2 million Spotify streams; pre-album teaser. |
| Rouge Carpet Disaster (Redux) | Album reissue | September 15, 2023 | Roadrunner Records | Deluxe version with 16 reworked tracks.[64][25] |
| vol.2 | EP | October 20, 2023 | Roadrunner Records | 4 reworked tracks featuring Loathe and BVDLVD.[60] |
| vol.3 | EP | November 3, 2023 | Roadrunner Records | 4 reworked tracks featuring Creeper and others.[59] |
| "crying" | Single | May 15, 2024 | Roadrunner Records | Official music video; over 1 million Spotify streams.[61] |
| "face." | Single | April 4, 2025 | Roadrunner Records | Official music video; over 1 million Spotify streams as of November 2025.[30] |