TREИDNG BANDWIDTH | Aberdeen’s Tigerdrive Are Writing Their Own Rules

Aberdeen has always quietly produced brilliant alternative bands, and TIGERDRIVE feel like the latest group ready to break beyond their local scene.

Drawing influences from post-hardcore, emo, punk, alternative rock and even pop, the four-piece have built a sound that’s difficult to pin down in the best possible way. They’ve already picked up BBC radio support, released their debut EP PROVISIONAL and have another pair of singles arriving this month.

We caught up with the band to talk about how they formed, the Aberdeen scene, weird gigs in sheds and BBC airplay.

Where are you based, and how has your local scene shaped the band?

TigerDrive: We are based in Scotland, but more specifically the grey city of Aberdeen. The Aberdeen scene is full of unique and innovative musicians and talents who push each other to be better than the last gig they played. The scene is incredibly supportive of everyone and has created a close community based on respect and talent.

It’s something we’ve heard from countless bands across the UK. The strongest scenes aren’t always the biggest; they’re the ones where musicians genuinely want to see each other succeed.

How did TigerDrive come together?

TigerDrive: The band began as a college project for Aaron, writing a 5-track demo EP (We Love You, Astro Dave) that was also self-recorded, mixed and produced. A couple of those tracks even made it onto PROVISIONAL.

Aaron first asked James to help out with drums and had previously been in a band with Craig, so he asked him to play bass. Poppy then joined as vocalist through her connection with Aaron. Once the EP was complete, we found ourselves eager to continue making music together and decided to get a few gigs under our belt to see where it would take us.

After our EP release show earlier this year, we welcomed Ben into our sweaty arms and the rest is sweet, sweet history. (We still love James but he is a professional 9-5er… and also in Beneath the Breakwater.)

If someone had never heard you before, how would you describe your sound?

Ben (Drummer): “Weird in the best way possible. Sometimes heavy, sometimes not. One song will punch you in the face and the next will get you in the feels.”

Poppy (Singer): “Gritty and genre bending. Our songs have that gritty feel like playing in someone’s shed or warehouse. We take inspiration from all parts of the alternative scene which creates a beautiful blend of authentic music.”

Craig (Bassist): ” A weird mix of many influences that somehow works together to create something you like, but have never heard before. I think it’s because we are all from such different musical backgrounds, but the mix of it makes a sound that I really enjoy playing. I just hope someone else out there enjoy’s it too.”

Aaron (Guitarist): “Propa wicked. (dead serious answer btw)”

Honestly, “Propa wicked” might be the shortest Bandwidth answer we’ve had so far, and maybe the best too.

Everyone seems to come from different musical backgrounds. What does each member bring to the band?

Ben (Drummer): Biffy Clyro. Especially pre Only revolution. Those albums by far are the biggest influence on my playing and approach to writing. Ben Johnston is the perfect example of playing really technical and weird while still serving the song without overplaying. In a similar vein but on the heavier side, Craig Reynolds (RIP stray from the path). 

Poppy (Singer): I come from a background in singing mostly pop music & r&b. To go from that to something as heavy as post hardcore/punk is a crazy shift. I find that my experience in those genres have helped shape our music into a more melodic side of heavy, adding in more contemporary parts you wouldn’t think would work, but does! 

Craig (Bassist): We all come from such different backgrounds and have such unique playstyles. Personally, my influences come from emo and alternative rock. I also have some less traditional influences like the original sound tracks of film and videogames. Some examples include the game “Persona 3-5” or “The guilty gear series”. But I’m sure the rest of the band, like myself, could answer this for hours.  

Aaron (Guitarist): My influences seem to come from my appointment viewing of Kerrang every chance I got as a teenager. Bands such as My Chemical Romance, Nirvana and Biffy Clyro shaped my music taste growing up. As a writer I have no formal knowledge of what is right and wrong practice, and I enjoy the creative freedom I feel through that. I don’t have many influences through specific guitar players as I believe everyone has their own sense of rhythm and im still trying to find mine.  

What’s the songwriting process like?

TigerDrive: There are several ways we approach songwriting. Aaron and Poppy usually write the foundations before bringing it to the rest of the band, who build the characteristics of the song.

Poppy is the main lyricist and Aaron is the main songwriter musically. Once the beginnings are in place, it becomes a collaborative effort to structure the song and find its shape.

What’s been the biggest moment for the band so far?

Ben (Drummer): Our last BrewDog gig in June. I think that’s the first time I’ve fully realised people actually enjoy our music and want to see us live. Subjecting an old man pub in Inverurie to our music whilst playing on the jankiest drum kit known to man is also up there. 

Poppy (singer): Releasing our debut EP “Provisional” was a huge one for me, alongside that we had our first ever headline show at Krakatoa, Aberdeen. We had an amazing turn out and had such love on the EP, it really displayed the support we have from our listeners. Also being on BBC radio was such a huge goal of mine, so to experience that with our song “Stomach Bug” being played, was surreal.  

Craig (Bassist): Getting on BBC introducing/ BBC Alba has to be the biggest moment to me. But seeing the support from when we dropped the EP was amazing.  

Aaron (Guitarist): Being played on BBC radio (twice!) was a nice bit of validation after personally trying for over 6 years and never hearing a peep back. Other highlights for me would include creating our EP, Provisional, and the support it received. Other than that, all of the people we’ve met so far and made friends with. Also craig crashing his car (tee-hee) 

Where do you usually write, rehearse or record? Does that place have much of an impact on your music? 

TigerDrive: We usually practice at Musical Vision in Aberdeen, run by Scotty! (Legend). It’s where we’ve created all our songs in their entirety. We find it’s a comfortable atmosphere that feels less of a practice room and more of a hangout space.  

We’ve had our songs mixed by Ryan Cull, For our first EP “PROVISIONAL” we recorded drums in atmosphere, Aberdeen, which is an old warehouse, which ultimately was the inspiration for the sound of PROVISIONAL. The rest of the EP was recorded in Ryan’s own studio space which was also great, as we weren’t looking for a professional studio recording. 

Our next 2 singles which are out on the 31st of July were recorded at York Street studio, Aberdeen. We wanted a cleaner sound for these 2, but still keeping our classy grit.  

Have you played anywhere recently people should know about?

TigerDrive: Our favourite/biggest gig was on February 6th of this year. We hosted the gig ourselves with our Collective (AMF) at Brewdog Castlegate, Aberdeen. We had the band “Tummyache” based in the South of England, headline! Being able to support them and have such a large turnout for it had made it so memorable for us.  

We recently played in a very tiny shed outside our mates house in Elgin (hi Fletch!) and it’s the most unsober one any of us have been at a “gig” and it was brilliant. Shout out to our guy Fletch for setting it up and raising $150 in donations for Mikeysline. Also to Blunt Force Trauma, they rip (they love THE TIGERDRIVE) 

We’ve started to break out of the Aberdeen scene a little and branch out towards gig venues in Glasgow & Edinburgh, with our next couple of gigs being based in Glasgow.

What’s the hardest part of being in a band?

Ben: “Driving to Paisley.”

Poppy: “Content day. Kidding aside, probably the urge to have everything we’ve dreamed of as a band, now. But I’ve found having patience and enjoying the experience of building a band catalog is more satisfactory.”

Craig: “Being the only driver is hell.”

Aaron: “Being the sex appeal is pretty challenging.”

When you disagree about something, how do you settle it?

TigerDrive: “Fatal 4-way steel cage match.”

No further questions.

What inspires your music? It doesn’t have to just be bands, it could be films, books, places, people or life in general. 

TigerDrive: Our music is mostly inspired through personal experience and our beliefs on the things we see in the world. Musically, inspiration will hit for Aaron & Poppy based on what they’re listening to at the time and certain encounters they’ve faced. These influences are then spun to try and replicate the feel of the songs we love based on how we see them.

How has the band changed since you first started?

Ben (Drummer): I can only speak from my first gig with the band which was in February but our stage presence has improved massively in that short time. You can tell that the amount of energy you put in, you will also get back from the crowd. 

Poppy (singer): When I first jammed with the guys to start a band, I had little confidence in pushing my vocals and I was inexperienced in stage presence. Since then, I’ve really come out of my shell and began to find newborn confidence with how I present myself in the band, as well as strengthening my vocals to the ability they are at now. 

Craig (Bassist): I think we have definitely gotten more confident especially with stage presence. The Sound has also become heavier, but we still write a bunch of different styles. I’d say we started off as a midwest emo band but have developed into something unique, which I think is cool.  

Aaron (Guitarist): I definitely feel more comfortable being weird with my writing style and trying out new things I wouldn’t have before. Holding conversation better with new musicians and bands 

What’s next for TigerDrive?

TigerDrive: We are currently preparing to release our Sophomore singles “Girlfriend lobotomy” and B side “Freakspurt Henry”. The 2 singles will be released on the 31st of July on all platforms. We will also be performing these new singles at our Weekender with the band “House Proud” which is from 31st of July to August 2nd. 

This will be our first release after our debut EP “PROVISIONAL”. We’re hoping to get another EP released in the winter/early 2027 as we cannot stop writing new music!! 

Finally, what advice would you give to new bands?

Ben (Drummer): Have fun and meet new people. You never know if you’re talking to someone who can give you your next opportunity. 

Poppy (Singer): If you’re ever stuck in a place of being unsure of who you are as a musician, please join a band. You will find community, confidence and discover a new way to perceive music. Giving yourself grace, time and patience to develop skills will benefit you in the long run, don’t worry about being discovered immediately as it might take over the actual enjoyment of creating and performing.  

Craig (bassist): You need to have patience, we have grown quite fast in comparison to other projects I’ve been part of in the past, but it’s still a long time before you see any results. You really have to be doing this for the love of the game, because it’s hard, long hours, and late finishes (especially if you are driving to other cities). I love it though, and I wouldn’t give it up for anything, I love making new friendships that wouldn’t have happened If i wasn’t in the band. If I have any advice, it would be to not lose your passion, you can definitely get burnt out, but never lose your passion to play.  

Aaron (Guitarist): Find the biggest band in your scene and fight them to establish dominance. And tip the bar staff. 

Follow TigerDrive

With two new singles dropping on 31 July, another EP already in the works and a reputation for chaotic live shows, TigerDrive are a band well worth keeping on your radar.

You can find them on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and every major streaming platform, while keeping up with gigs and new releases via Instagram and TikTok: @tigerrdrive.

Whether it’s sharing stages with bands across Scotland, raising money at DIY shed gigs or hearing their songs played on BBC Radio for the first time, Tigerdrive are building something that feels genuine. They’re not chasing trends or trying to fit neatly into one scene. They’re simply writing the music they want to make, surrounded by a community that believes in them. With two new singles arriving on 31 July and another EP already in the works, this feels less like the peak of their story and more like the beginning. If you haven’t discovered Tigerdrive yet, now’s a good time to change that.

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