The band formed in 2018 and currently consists of vocalist Olli Appleyard, drummer Sam Ogden, bassist George Holding, and anonymous masked guitarist Contrast.
[1] At the time, Reilly had recently moved from Manchester to Leeds, which led the group to begin writing music in various different styles, trying to find their sound.
", Black and Kay departed from the group, leading to the recruitment of anonymous guitarist Contrast and drummer Sam Ogden.
[31] Bassist Connor Reilly announced his departure from the band on 30 January 2023 citing personal issues via a statement on Instagram.
[35] On 27 June, they released a reworked version of "Such.a.Shame",[36] which was followed on 17 August by "Di-Sinter (Glitter Redux)"[37] and "Attempt 8" featuring Sophie Meiers on 19 September.
[39] On 3 November, they surprise released Rouge Carpet Disaster (Redux) Volume 3, another four track rework EP containing features from Creeper, Carl Brown, Bobby Wolfgang and Sølv.
[56] Revolver magazine writer Eli Enis stated that they use a "push-pull between strained screams and eye-lined pop-punk hooks, Static Dress tickle the Y2K nostalgia senses without falling victim to pure homage".
[55] Rock Sound writer Jack Roger stated that they make use of "gorgeous choruses, corrosive riffs and a truly infectious atmosphere".
[58] Upset magazine said they have "a frenetic sound that is rooted in late 00s post-hardcore and emo akin to Underoath, Emery and My Chemical Romance... with its cinematic and cryptographic undertones, it becomes apparent that there is a mastermind creating a narrative within both the music and their visual counterparts"[59] Underground Under Dogs writer Mike Giegerich stated that "Olli Appleyard is meticulous in crafting his band’s expansive palette, intentionally avoiding contemporary influences for distinctly original worldbuilding.
His approach shines through as Static Dress define their own point of view within the broader context of alternative sounds, existing in a space where free-time ambient and poetic post-hardcore are able to thrive simultaneously".
[60] The band have cited musical influences including Converge, Fleshwater, Ethel Cain, Youth Code, King Yosef, Bodyweb, Sølv, 100 gecs, Modern Color, Twink Obliterator, Dorian Electra, the 1980s funk and soul group Twilight, Tennis, Wingtips, A Knife in the Dark, Haarper, John Carpenter, Augustus Muller, Boy Harsher, Puma Blue, Myles Cameron and Nafets.
[4] The band's livestreamed performances in 2020 and 2021, included QR codes which linked to a Dropbox containing a cover of "One of Us Is the Killer" by the Dillinger Escape Plan and clip of Marilyn Monroe discussing happiness.
[54] Appleyard has cited influences on the band's imagery as including Floria Sigismondi, Tim Burton, James Wan and the Cell,[4] as well as the aesthetics of hyperpop and hip hop music.