Cover Drive

“World domination!” T-Ray Armstrong, drummer and sometimes vocalist of Barbadian pop band, Cover Drive, confidently declares.
“That is what we really want,” concurs Amanda Reifer, the strikingly beautiful lead singer of the group who shows equally unwavering conviction in her statement. Coming from a band who appeared last summer with the bouncing attitude-infused track, ‘Lick Ya Down’ – a Bajan term that effectively translates to knock your lights out – the steely ambition of world domination could almost come across as a menacing threat to rule with an iron fist. However this energy-driven band are only looking to reign with their irresistible blend of uplifting pop and summery Caribbean beats.
“As a band, we have two major influences and they are No Doubt and Black Eyed Peas,” Amanda smiles, with agreeing nods coming from ‘Bar-Man’ Hill (guitarist Barry) and Jamar Harding (bassist). “We always say if they were to have a baby, we would be their love child,” she laughs, singling out the Rock Steady and Elephunk as their reference points.
“Our music has a lot of Caribbean influences in it and we wave our flag really high,” adds T-Ray, explaining the summer-feel of their tunes which so far have proved a hit with the British audiences. Their recent number 1 single Twilight hit the top of the charts last month with it’s bursting, sun-drenched melodies spilling over winter’s darkest month.
“It’s cold. It’s wet,” Amanda shudders, still adjusting to the British capital grey winter. The band relocated to Britain after signing to Polydor records. “But we’re here to work, and we enjoy the work that we do,” she notes positively.
Originally the group were working on individual projects. Bar-Man – who is a classically trained pianist, but plays guitar for the band – was working on music production. Jamar got into bass after being attracted to guitars thanks to an older brother’s interest. And T-Ray can beat a note out of anything, creating sounds from drums, helmets, bottles – you name it  (“If it makes a nice note, I’ll try to incorporate it into the music,” he says). While Amanda had always enjoyed singing but it wasn’t until T-Ray’s mother, Kerrie who first suggested the four get together and she now serves as their manager. “She always has the best ideas in the world,” the lead singer gushes. “The first time we performed together was in T-Ray’s house in front of a camera doing a cover of Hey Soul Sister by Train. It went online and generated loads of views and then we got interest from the label.” Since signing, the band have gone from a front room to the front of the stage having supported Dappy on tour in the UK. They were also handpicked by fellow Barbadian beauty Rihanna to open for the Barbados leg of her Loud Tour. “You can imagine for a new band, opening in front of all those thousands of people – we were so nervous, but once we started it was just the best experience of our lives.”
The crowds have been won over just as easily as the radio airwaves and the music charts. With music this infectious and uplifting and an album of summery sounds on the horizon – those thoughts of world domination? We will happily surrender.

[Originally published in Rollacoaster Magazine, Issue 4, February 2012. Photography by David Sessions.]