Afterdrive - Dressed to Drive

With their debut EP Dress to Drive on the horizon, Afterdrive are stepping into an exciting new chapter. The band have been building a reputation for energetic live performances and a sound that refuses to sit neatly inside one genre.

Ahead of the EP’s release and their own headline tour, we caught up with brothers Ben and Joe to talk about the band’s influences, their approach to live shows and what they hope Dress to Drive will mean to the people who discover it.

First up, we put Afterdrive on the spot and asked them to describe one another in three words.

It proved harder than expected. Ben is described as a talented songwriter, while the closeness between brothers Ben and Joe means they can happily get on with things — although, as they admit, there can be the occasional sibling disagreement. Luke is the “brainy” one behind everything, while Ed brings an upbeat energy to the group.

Their personalities are reflected in their musical influences, too. Luke is an obvious Oasis fan, while Joe’s tastes stretch from The 1975 and Kings of Leon to heavier artists such as Deftones, alongside a love of R&B and pop artists including Justin Bieber. Ed is particularly influenced by Muse, Kings of Leon and The Killers.



It is that mixture of tastes that ultimately feeds into Afterdrive’s own music. As the band put it, they have “a good mixture of tastes”, with those different influences becoming elements of their own sound.

For Afterdrive, there is a clear distinction between hearing their music on record and experiencing it in a venue. They see live performance as an opportunity to reveal another side of the band — something more immediate, energetic and immersive.

Their recordings can lean towards the poppier and rockier side of their sound, while the live setup brings an additional heaviness, particularly through Joel’s drumming. The aim is to create an experience rather than simply reproduce the recordings.

The band want audiences to step into their own “Afterdrive, Dress to Drive world” — somewhere they can escape, have a good time and experience the music regardless of whether they have arrived at the gig having had a great day or a difficult one.

That sense of connection is at the heart of what being a live band is about for them.

The EP itself gave Afterdrive an opportunity that individual singles simply couldn't. While a single has to make an immediate impact, an EP allows the band to experiment and demonstrate the breadth of their sound.

That freedom is reflected throughout Dress to Drive, with each track offering something different. The EP opens with Neon View, a more pop-oriented track that has already received strong radio support, including regular Radio 1 plays.

Jewellery takes things in another direction, combining ballad-like elements with new-metal-inspired drums, piano melodies and a contrast between softer and heavier vocals.

Then comes Fake Licence Plates, another pop-leaning track, before Afterdrive (Outro) brings the EP to a close. The latter allowed the band to explore their creativity, including a longer piano introduction designed to establish an atmosphere before the track develops.

For Afterdrive, the EP is more than simply a collection of songs. It is intended to feel like an experience — a chance for listeners to hear the different sides of the band while the musicians themselves have the freedom to experiment.

It is also their first EP, making the release a particularly significant moment. “We’re just really excited to get it out and see what people think.”

Afterdrive have already had the opportunity to play alongside some major artists, experiences that have given them a valuable insight into performing to very different audiences.

They describe themselves as confident, energetic and well rehearsed on stage, but playing to huge crowds has provided a different kind of education. Being able to perform the same show to an audience of around 20,000 people — and then take that experience to audiences across the UK and Europe — has demonstrated to the band that their live show can connect beyond their home territory.

They have also learned from watching other artists and bands develop their live setups. Earlier in their career, Afterdrive would simply arrive at a venue, plug in their amps and play. Seeing other bands incorporate synths and backing tracks made them consider how they could expand their own sound despite having only four musicians on stage.

That eventually led them to develop a rig that allows them to run synths as part of their live performances.

And sometimes, the most valuable advice is also the simplest. After playing with Ed Sheeran, the band were told: “You guys are smashing it, just keep on going.”

For Afterdrive, that encouragement has stayed with them.

Ultimately, the ambition for Dress to Drive is about more than simply getting bigger. Of course, the band would love for the EP to become a major success, but what really excites them is the idea of reaching people who are searching for a new artist to discover and follow.

They want listeners to connect with the music and understand where the band are coming from. The dream is to build a genuine fanbase — people who don't just listen to the songs, but come to the gigs and become part of the wider Afterdrive experience.

That connection will be put to the test when Afterdrive embark on their own tour.

Having previously played supporting slots, the band will now have the opportunity to perform their longest set yet, bringing together their existing songs and new material for a full Afterdrive show.

They promise new fashion, plenty of energy and the best atmosphere they can create, alongside a selection of support acts.

More importantly, the tour represents another learning experience for a band determined to keep developing. They see every stage as another stepping stone — an opportunity to learn, improve and become better at what they do.

And after everything they've experienced so far, Afterdrive are ready to show audiences exactly what they can do.

“We really want to show you how good we are.”

Dress To Drive is out October 9th.