Post-hardcore mavericks Static Dress unveil new single ‘Di-sinTer’ – listen

Leeds post-hardcore outfit Static Dress have unveiled a new single, ‘Di-sinTer’, along with an accompanying video.

The innovative four-piece released their debut EP, ‘Prologue…’, last year. The group, led by former Galleries members Olli Appleyard and , have garnered notoriety for their intense live performances and intricate myth-making; Kerrang! described the carefully crafted world of Static Dress as “a vivid alternate universe centred around a semi-fictionalised version of [Appleyard].” The same publication named them Best New Band of the Year in 2021.

Now, they’re kicking off what they promise will be a prolific run of output with ‘Di-sinTer’, a punishing experimental anthem that sees the band on freewheeling form and features a guest turn from vocalist and producer King Yosef. The intense video harks back to the origins of the group’s world-building, meanwhile, with the visuals just one facet of Static Dress’ unrelentingly multidisciplinary approach. You can watch it below.

The track is the first new music from the group since last year’s lineup reshuffle, which saw founding guitarist Tom Black replaced by Contrast and original drummer Sam Kay also leave, with Sam Ogden his replacement. The quartet have invited comparisons with the like of My Chemical Romance, Underoath and Emery, although in an interview with The Line of Best Fit last year, Appleyard took exception to some of the parallels being drawn. 

“I look at these scene bands we’re compared to and I’m like, ‘Okay, show me where they have an interlude track using vocoders.” Appleyard told the site. “Explain to me where My Chemical Romance’s electronic EP is. People say we’re the scene revival, but it’s not really though, is it? If you like that, you’ll like this – but I wouldn’t say it’s derived from it.”

Instead, the band have cited a range of influences from across the artistic spectrum, including Tim Burton, Floria Sigismondi, the films of James Wan and the 2000 psychological horror film ‘The Cell’. Their meticulous eye for detail has seen them litter their work with easter eggs; hidden QR codes have led fans everywhere from covers of Dillinger Escape Plan tracks to old interviews with Marilyn Monroe.