Cover Drive

{{short description|Band from Barbados}} {{for|the cricket shot|Cover drive (cricket)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist  | name = Cover Drive | image = Stronger tour, Manchester Arena Cover Drive (8083262723).jpg | origin = [[Barbados]] | background = group_or_band | genre = {{hlist|[[Reggae]]|[[contemporary R&B|R&B]]|[[dancehall]]|[[soca music|soca]]|[[hip hop music|hip hop]]|[[pop music|pop]]|[[reggae fusion]]|[[dance music|dance]]}} | years_active = 2012–2018 | label = {{hlist|[[Polydor Records|Polydor]] |[[LAB Records]]|[[Cherrytree Records|Cherrytree]]}} | associated_acts = {{hlist|[[Rihanna]]|[[Dappy]]|[[Far East Movement]]|[[Jennifer Lopez]]}} | website = {{URL|wearecoverdrive.com}} | past_members = * Amanda Reifer * T-Ray Armstrong * Barry 'Bar-Mon' Hill * Jamar Harding }} '''Cover Drive''' were a four-piece Barbadian band consisting of Amanda Reifer, T-Ray Armstrong, Barry "Bar-Man" Hill and Jamar Harding. They have gained commercial success in the [[United Kingdom]]. They are best known for their 2012 single "[[Twilight (Cover Drive song)|Twilight]]", which peaked atop the [[UK singles chart]].

The band was signed by record label Global Talent, a division of Polydor Records. The band obtained one of its major breaks by performing as an [[opening act]] during [[Rihanna]]'s [[Loud Tour]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Rihanna LOUD tour rocks Kensington|first=Allison|last=Ramsay|url=http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=local&NewsID=19150|newspaper=[[The Barbados Advocate]]|publisher=Advocate Co. Ltd.|date=7 August 2012|accessdate=6 February 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191121/http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=local&NewsID=19150|archivedate=2 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/cover-this/ |title=Cover this! |author=Natanga Smith Hurdle |date=3 February 2012 |work=nationnews.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531074701/http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/cover-this/ |archive-date=31 May 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/rihanna-helps-another-barbados-band-cover-drive-133348434.html |title=Rihanna helps another Barbados band, Cover Drive |author=Staff writer |date=19 August 2011 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Yahoo News |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192551/http://news.yahoo.com/rihanna-helps-another-barbados-band-cover-drive-133348434.html|archivedate=2014-01-02|url-status=dead|accessdate=8 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.barbadostoday.bb/barticlenew.php?ptitle=Cover+Drive+to+open+show&article=8924 |title=Cover Drive to open show |author=Staff writer |work=Barbados Today}}{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> The band were featured in upcoming promotions by the Barbados Tourism Authority, an international tourist-marketing agency of the Barbados government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.bb/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3897:bta-defends-use-of-local-group-cover-drive&catid=48:entertainment&Itemid=108|title=BTA – local group Cover Drive|authorlink=Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation|date=8 March 2012|work=cbc.bb|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311051742/http://www.cbc.bb/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3897%3Abta-defends-use-of-local-group-cover-drive&catid=48%3Aentertainment&Itemid=108|archivedate=11 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/coverdrive-back-home/ |title=Cover Drive back home |author=Maurice Giles |date=9 March 2012 |work=nationnews.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102193738/http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/coverdrive-back-home/ |archive-date=2 January 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The group released their debut album ''[[Bajan Style]]'' on 7 May 2012 in the [[United Kingdom]], peaking at number 14. "Lovesick Riddim" was announced as their lead single from their EP, ''Liming in Limbo'' on 13 December 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.in-spirelsmagazine.co.uk/cover-drive-return-with-new-video-lovesick-riddim/|title=Cover Drive Return With New Video 'Lovesick Riddim' - @InspireLS - #LiveWell The No.1 Destination for all things #LIFESTYLE|accessdate=9 March 2015}}</ref> The group's second and final album ''Fall Forward'' was released on 10 April 2017. The group later disbanded in 2018.

==History== [[File:Stronger tour, Manchester Arena Cover Drive (8083271892).jpg|thumb|Stronger tour, Manchester Arena Cover Drive]]

===2010: Formation=== The band formed in their native country [[Barbados]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.networkbarbados.com/news/161 |title=Cover Drive scores a high note |date=30 January 2012 |work=networkbarbados.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928114454/http://www.networkbarbados.com/news/161 |archive-date=28 September 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The band consisted of four members: lead singer Amanda Reifer; drummer/backing vocalist T-Ray Armstrong; keyboardist/guitarist Barry Hill; and bassist Jamar Harding.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cover Drive – The Big Interview|url=http://www.maximumpop.co.uk/cover-drive-interview/|accessdate=19 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722081041/http://www.maximumpop.co.uk/cover-drive-interview/|archive-date=22 July 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Reifer met Armstrong when she became his babysitter despite being only two years older, Armstrong was in the same year as Harding at school although they did not attend the same school, and Reifer met Hill at college because they were in the same year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/top-score/ |title=Top score |author=Ricky Jordan |date=31 January 2012 |work=nationnews.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204130226/http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/top-score/ |archive-date=4 February 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2011–2012: Commercial success and ''Bajan Style''=== Cover Drive gained many subscribers on [[YouTube]] with videos of them covering popular songs. In April 2011, the band signed a publishing deal with [[Sony]] and a recording deal with [[Polydor Records]].<ref>{{cite web|title=CoverDrive looking to score big with new record deal|url=http://www.nationnews.com/index.php/articles/view/coverdrive-looking-to-score-big-with-new-record-deal/|accessdate=19 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010042613/http://www.nationnews.com/index.php/articles/view/coverdrive-looking-to-score-big-with-new-record-deal/|archive-date=10 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> After the band was signed they began writing and recording material for their debut album. Whilst in the studio, they met American producer [[J. R. Rotem]] who produced their debut single, "[[Lick Ya Down]]", which was released on 28 August 2011. After receiving heavy airplay and support on both the Radio and Music channels in the [[United Kingdom]], the song debuted and peaked at number 9 on the [[UK Singles Chart]] and number 3 on the [[UK R&B Chart|UK R&B Singles Chart]].

They later released their second single "[[Twilight (Cover Drive song)|Twilight]]" on 22 January 2012, which was their first single to chart in [[Ireland]], debuting at number 40.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2012&year=2012&week=04|title=Chart Archive >Irish Singles > Week 04 2012|publisher=[[Irish Recorded Music Association|IRMA]]|access-date=29 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112180044/http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2012&year=2012&week=04|archive-date=12 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The song peaked at number 1 on the UK [[iTunes]] chart within hours of its release. The song was produced by [[Quiz & Larossi]]. On 29 January 2012, "Twilight" debuted at number 1 on the charts in the [[United Kingdom]] for the week ending 4 February 2012. On 8 March 2012, they announced "[[Sparks (Cover Drive song)|Sparks]]" as the third single from the album.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cover Drive debut new single 'Sparks' - listen| website=[[Digital Spy]]| date=8 March 2012| url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a370112/cover-drive-debut-new-single-sparks-listen.html|accessdate=19 July 2012}}</ref> "Sparks" was released on 29 April and debuted and peaked at number 4 on the [[UK Singles Chart]]. Their debut album, ''[[Bajan Style]]'', was released on 7 May 2012 and debuted on the [[UK Album Chart]] at number 14.<ref>{{cite web|title=Keane land fifth consecutive No.1 album with 'Strangeland'|website=[[Digital Spy]] |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a381394/keane-land-fifth-consecutive-no1-album-with-strangeland.html|accessdate=19 July 2012|archive-date=18 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718014045/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a381394/keane-land-fifth-consecutive-no1-album-with-strangeland.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The fourth release from ''Bajan Style'', "[[Explode (Cover Drive song)|Explode]]" was re-worked with vocals from former [[N-Dubz]] member, [[Dappy]], and was released from the album on 26 August 2012, entering at number 29 on the UK Singles Chart.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cover Drive Unveil 'Explode' Video Featuring Dappy - Watch Now| url=http://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/173841/9|accessdate=7 August 2012}}</ref>

The group also featured on [[Far East Movement]]'s "[[Turn Up the Love]]", which was released on 21 June 2012. It peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. They toured with [[Kelly Clarkson]] on the UK & Ireland leg of her [[Stronger Tour]].

===2013–18: ''Fall Forward'' and disbandment=== A lyric video for a song called "All My Love" was uploaded to the band's official [[YouTube]] channel on 14 February 2013. The music video was uploaded to YouTube on 1 March 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUmxWunHTyo |title=Cover Drive - All My Love (Official Lyric Video) |via=YouTube |date=2013-02-14 |accessdate=2013-08-31}}</ref>

The band was featured in a May 2013 episode of the [[HGTV]] series [[House Hunters#Spin-offs|House Hunters International]] as they searched Barbados for a house together as a band, preparing for their next album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/band-moves-back-home-to-barbados/index.html|title=Band Moves Back Home to Barbados|publisher=hgtv.com|accessdate=12 May 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508171617/http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/band-moves-back-home-to-barbados/index.html|archivedate=8 May 2013}}</ref>

A lyric video for their lead single off of their EP, called "Lovesick Riddim", was uploaded to the band's official [[YouTube]] channel on 7 August 2013. The music video was uploaded to YouTube on 10 August 2013.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENPBtXPd4U4 |title=Cover Drive - Lovesick Riddim |via=YouTube |date=2013-08-10 |accessdate=2013-08-31}}</ref> Their EP, titled "Liming in Limbo", was a taster of what was to come on their second album, ''Fall Forward''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wearecoverdrive.com/newsitems/interview-cover-drives-amanda-talks-new-single-love-riddim-touring-with-rihanna-and-more/|title=INTERVIEW: Cover Drive's Amanda Talks New Single 'Love Riddim,' Touring With Rihanna and More|work=WeAreCoverDrive|accessdate=9 March 2015}}</ref> The EP was released 13 December 2013.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=WeAreCoverDrive |number=384015010566926336 |date=28 September 2013 |title=release of our new EP 'Limin' in Limo'! And it will definitely be more than one song! |accessdate=9 March 2015}}</ref>

Cover Drive released a song for [[Crop Over]] 2014 called "Dis Ain't Love". A lyric/music video was released via their [[YouTube]] account on 6 June 2014. Cover Drive also announced in June 2014 that they were recording the music video for the lead single off of their upcoming second single. It was later announced to be called "Love Junkie". A lyric video was uploaded on their [[YouTube]] account on 3 June. The music was uploaded on to [[Vevo]] on 27 June. The song was released on 27 July (UK/Europe) and 29 July (rest of world).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3Q3VdUwepM|title=Cover Drive - Love Junkie|date=27 June 2014|via=YouTube|accessdate=9 March 2015}}</ref> The group released their long-awaited second studio album on 10 April 2017. The group disbanded in 2018. According to Reifer, she left the band because it was "not a healthy environment".<ref>{{cite episode |credits= |last= Yee|first= Angela |date= March 3, 2025 |title= Way Up with Amanda Reifer + Tell Us a Secret |url= |location= New York City |series= Way Up with Angela Lee |series-link= |season= |series-no= |issue= |episode-link= |language= |publisher= |minutes= |time= |network= |station= WUWY |transcript= |transcript-url= |access-date= |quote= |trans-quote=}}</ref>

==Members==

* Karen Amanda Reifer – [[lead vocals]] * Barry Hill – [[guitar]], [[keytar]] * Jamar Harding – [[bass guitar]], [[backing vocals]] * Thomas Ray Armstrong (T-Ray) – [[drums]], [[percussion]], [[backing vocals]], [[lead vocals]]

==Discography==

===Studio albums=== * ''[[Bajan Style]]'' (2012) * ''Fall Forward'' (2017)

===EPs=== * ''Liming in Limbo'' (2013)

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == * {{Twitter}} * {{Facebook|wearecoverdrive}} * [https://www.youtube.com/user/wearecoverdrive/ YouTube]

[[Category:Pop music groups]] [[Category:Barbadian musical groups]] [[Category:Reggae fusion groups]] [[Category:2010 establishments in Barbados]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 2010]] [[Category:2018 disestablishments in North America]] [[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2018]] [[Category:Dancehall groups]] [[Category:Mixed-gender musical quartets]] [[Category:Female-fronted musical groups]]