Fresh from a European tour with Bring Me The Horizon and with another pencilled in for early next year, Static Dress’ Olli Appleyard and Sam Ogden speak to Upset about being lame onstage and their exciting Redux version of debut album, ‘Rouge Carpet Disaster’.
Words: Ali Shutler.
In the midst of a whirlwind of success and anticipation, Static Dress have quickly become known as one of Britain’s best new bands, making waves with their electrifying performances and their upcoming Redux version of their brilliant debut album, ‘Rouge Carpet Disaster’. Fresh from an exhilarating European tour alongside Bring Me The Horizon, and with another tour already on the horizon, Olli Appleyard and Sam Ogden sit down to discuss their onstage antics, the creative process behind the Redux, and their ambitious aspirations. With their new home at Roadrunner Records, Static Dress are only set to level up their campaign to captivate their growing fanbase and push boundaries with their unique sound and captivating visuals. As they reflect on their journey and the incredible opportunities that have come their way, it’s clear that Static Dress are poised to inspire a new generation.
Talk to us about the Redux.
Olli: Essentially, we are completely redoing the record. The first single ‘Courtney Just Relax’ is the closest of all the tracks to the original; all we did was re-record the drums, add some more layers and remix it ourselves. We just polished it and made it heavier, but it should still be familiar to people. The other Redux versions are completely off the wall. I don’t think anyone is expecting what happens.
It’s the first thing you’re putting out on your new home of Roadrunner Records. Was it important you shared something meaningful?
Olli: 100%. It was a chance to get in all the people we’ve wanted to work with over the years and push the boat out and go stupid with it. There are Redux versions of songs that don’t sound like anything this band has ever done before. There’s no fear either because the album’s already out. If people don’t like it, they can just listen to the original, but there’s a lot for fans to dig into.
You’ve just got back from Europe, and you’ve smashed sets at Slam Dunk and Download; how is everything in Static Dress’ world?
Olli: The speed everything is happening is crazy, and we’re just trying to find someplace to land on our feet. The noise is a bit difficult sometimes, but it’s been great. I can’t even begin to describe how grateful or amazed by everything we are. It gets to the point now where something else is confirmed, and it just feels like a massive joke. I know it’s imposter syndrome talking, but it’s so much, and it’s so funny because I never thought it would happen with this band.
Sam: We’ve done things in the last year that we’ve dreamed of since we first picked up instruments as kids.
Why is it going so well? Normally a band pops off because they tap into a wider scene or a song blows up, but people seem to be invested in Static Dress as a whole.
Olli: Because we care about the small numbers rather than reaching for lofty goals. We care about every show and every person who turns up. We’re really fixated on creating a small community. It’s not about ego, but we encourage people to get involved in every aspect of this band. We want to make a home for people. It helps that we’re not shit live, and we provide exciting visuals that have heart and depth. We’re getting to the point where we’re able to bring all the different aspects of Static Dress together as well.
And what do you want to do with the platform?
Olli: This project is designed to just inspire people to try harder. There is so much mediocrity in music nowadays. We look around at other rock bands, and so much of it feels temporary. What I want to do is get this band to a point where we inspire the next generation.
You’ve got the Bring Me The Horizon tour in January and have already toured Europe with them. How comfortable were you on those big stages?
Sam: I didn’t feel out of my depth at all. Obviously, it’s so much easier commanding a small room, and on the first show with Bring Me, there were definitely some nerves. But there wasn’t one gig where people weren’t moshing, which was great because we were expecting everyone to just be standing still, especially because it was our first time in Europe.
Olli: Every night, we’d get together and ask, ‘What the fuck are we doing here?’ and laugh. It might look like we’re super confident in everything we do but trust me, we’re laughing at every single opportunity because it’s all so silly. We learnt a lot through touring with Bring Me, who are pretty much the pinnacle of rock and metal. At the start and end of that tour, we were a completely different band. We came in trying to apply the things we’d learnt in small rooms and realised it just didn’t work. I had to get over this mental barrier of doing things that I thought were kind of lame and become a showman. It was everything I didn’t want this band to be, but we figured if we could reach one person, it was worth it. We played into it, we made it our own, and we tried to entertain people.
And has it changed your ambitions for the band?
Olli: We still just want to make great art, but now, I sit down and believe that if we work hard, push everything to the very best of our abilities, there’s no reason we can’t be one of those big bands.
Sam: Everything else has happened for us. ■
Taken from the August 2023 edition of Upset. Static Dress’ album ‘Rouge Carpet Disaster (Redux)’ is out 15th September.
