Highly acclaimed indie rock collective October Drift have released their brand new single ‘Blame The Young’. The visceral rock track premiered this morning (April 17th) on Chris Hawkins’ BBC 6Music show, where Chris described the band as “very much in the zone and on the rise”.
‘Blame The Young’ is about standing up against denial, be that on a personal level or seen in the wider spectrum of society. It tackles the blame and pointing fingers which affect all generations and the smoke and mirrors consistently used by world leaders to cover up their own denials on the clear crises seen on a global level today.
Regarding the single frontman and guitarist Kiran Roy says, “Denial is the best friend you could ever have. It’s a defence mechanism to avoid stress and anxiety but in doing so, ignores reality.
“This song works on an individual level – “why am I not where I want to be in life?” You avoid talking or even thinking about the issues - your relationships, alcohol, drugs, grief – whatever it is. You deny asking for help, you bury it deep, but it's going to bubble up unexpectedly and uncontrollably. This attempt to escape pain in turn creates more pain.
“It’s about blame, on that personal level, but also on a wider picture socially and politically - the housing crisis, the food crisis, poverty, the unravelling of the NHS. Whether it’s blaming the young, blaming immigration. Climate denial while there is sewage in our waters… Our pasts, our futures, culture wars, actual wars - passing the blame and denying realities happens all the time.”
‘Blame The Young’ is a taste of the band’s forthcoming third album due to be released later this year. It is expected to see the band continue to reach new heights following the release of the widely praised I Don’t Belong Anywhere in 2022.
October Drift have connected with a raft of new audiences over recent months. They conquered their biggest stages yet to capacity arenas across Europe in support of Archive at the end of 2023, while last month they returned to European shores for another heated run of shows with Ist Ist.
The band return to UK venues this month for an intimate run of shows across the country. Full dates for the sweaty, up-close and personal shows are listed below and tickets are available here https://octoberdrift.os.fan/
UK HEADLINE SHOWS
20 APR: CLWB IFOR BACH, CARDIFF
21 APR, THE FORUM, TUNBRIDGE WELLS
22 APR: THE PORTLAND ARMS, CAMBRIDGE
24 APR: TRADES CLUB, HEBDEN BRIDGE
25 APR: THE MASH HOUSE, EDINBURGH
26 APR: TUNNELS, ABERDEEN
27 APR: CAFÈ INDIEPENDENT, SCUNTHORPE
29 APR: BODEGA SOCIAL, NOTTINGHAM
30 APR: THE BULLINGDON, OXFORD
01 MAY: WEST END CENTRE, ALDERSHOT
02 MAY: JOINERS, SOUTHAMPTON
ACCLAIM FOR OCTOBER DRIFT
“Promising Somerset indie rockers”
The Observer
“Deep vocals and booming guitars coalesce, charging up before launching into surprisingly catchy pop-edged choruses.”
Daily Star
“Beautifully channelled '90's indie and alternative rock from Mudhoney’s harshness to Teenage Fanclub’s slacker melodicism.”
Louder
“A form of hardcore that we love… Guitars everywhere but topped with melodies that would make entire stadiums sing”
Rolling Stone France
“Bold and brash, tender and understated, and perhaps most importantly vital”
Clash
“Both powerful and vulnerable at the same time”
Kerrang
“A superb band with superb tunes”
Louder Than War
“A band very much in the zone and on the rise”
Chris Hawkins – BBC6 Music
“They are such an amazing band… 'Blame The Young' really is a stop you in your tracks moment; such an important message, sounding so powerful”
John Kennedy – Radio X
