UK/UK rockers ANTI-FASHION unveil their debut single, premiering the video exclusively with Vive Le Rock!
'Drag Me Down' is the first taste of the band's debut album Dirt & Dust, which is out in September through Very Fried Artists and Noize In The Attic Records.
The seeds of this Transatlantic bond were sown when UK producer and songwriter JJ Watt and US rock veteran Frank Meyer began collaborating remotely during the Pandemic era, between them discovering an affinity for honest, hook-laden rock'n'roll.
"I met Frank through Kory Clarke of Warrior Soul, who was assembling musicians to make a covers album," recalls Watt. "We instantly got along great and started writing and recording our own material."
"We both dig Social Distortion, so after writing some original songs together, we started banging out Social D covers just for fun," adds Meyer. "We ended up making a whole album of that stuff called A Bit Of Distortion."
The long-distance relationship eventually coalesced into a full band as the pair were joined by drummer Kath Edmonds and frontman Rob Cass and bassist Steve Ward, both from Leicester's Midnight Dogs.
"It's been an absolute joy to work with this crew," Cass enthuses. "The teamwork has been incredible. No stress, just a very creative environment where everyone has clicked. I think you'll hear that come through on the record."
"Once we heard what JJ and Frank were up to, we knew this was going to be a great band," Ward adds. "The songs remind me of The Who meets AC/DC via Foo Fighters, yet with a punky edge. It's the sound I've been looking for since I started playing bass."
"This one is all about that addictive rush you only get from live music," Cass says of the single. "The second that first guitar hits, the bass starts thundering and the drums kick in, you know exactly where you are. It's that moment where the band and the crowd feed off the same energy. 'Drag Me Down' is Anti-Fashion's call to arms. We'll see you down at the front, because when you're around, this world don't drag me down."
"Anti-Fashion is raw rock music at its best," says Edmonds, addressing the album as a whole. "Classic riffs, multi-layered vocals and tons of rock'n'roll energy. This album has so many levels to it. Hit tunes with slick production."
"The final mix sounds huge," Cass agrees. "We cannot wait for people to get the record and see the live show. We're taking no prisoners."
Set for release on 2 September, Dirt & Dust is available to pre-order now via the band's website and Noize In The Attic in the US.
The band will be heading out on tour in support of the album. Catch them live at...
2 Sept – Bannermans Bar, Edinburgh
(w/Continental Lovers & Dukes Of Bordello)
3 Sept – The Studio, Hartlepool
(w/Continental Lovers, Dukes Of Bordello & Leaders Of Men)
4 Sept – The Underground, Bradford
(w/Continental Lovers & Dukes Of Bordello)
5 Sep – Hard Rock Hell Sleaze Festival, Sheffield
6 Sept – Holy Diver, Stockport
(w/Continental Lovers & Dukes Of Bordello)