The band was formed in 1980 out of the two local bands Paradize (recorded one 7") and Ocean (recorded two 7"'s and an album). In 1981 we recorded the self-financed MLP "Reflexions", that has become quite a collectors-item. The band also recorded the non-LP tracks "Tonight" and "Damnation Angel" for the local compilation "Rockslaget" (SOS 1982). Overdrive played several festivals and concerts, supporting bands like Mercyful Fate, Pretty Maids, Silver Mountain, EF Band, etc. In the Spring of 1985 Kenth was replaced by Zoltan Djember (ex. Ocean) and in June the same year the band split.

Janne formed Overheat together with singer Pelle, now on bass. They recruited ex. Mercy/High Voltage-drummer Paul Gustavsson and ex. High Voltage-singer Gernot Iversen and recorded some demos. Kenta and Kjell continued with Pride, but also made only demos. Kenta later joined local band E-Type, who appears on a local compilation-CD. Kenth recorded some demos with Area and Interaction.

In 1991 Janne, Pelle and drummer Peter Svensson (ex. Faith, Mercy, Globe and later in Locomotive Breath) recorded two instrumental tracks for the compilations "Guitarheroes Of Sweden" (the track "In The Raw") and "... Part 2" (the track "Short Circuit").

In 1992 Overdrive partly reformed with Janne, Pelle (on bass), Kenta and new singer/guitarist Jörgen Aspring/Miller (ex. Blue Town, E-Type). A demo with the songs "Die For Love", "Mighty Lord", "Back To Basics" and "Lock Of Gold" was recorded in 1993 but no records were made.


In 1994 the band was permanently dissolved. Jörgen, Pelle and Kenta formed Crosseyed Mary, while Janne and Kjell formed Locomotive Breath. In 1995 both Overdrive-albums were re-issued on CD on Rock Treasure. In 1997 the original Overdrive line-up made a re-union gig 12 years after the split, at the Karlshamn Rock Festival. The gig was recorded both on video and tape. This was however a "one night stand". The recording was later released as "Mission Of Destruction - Live" on Crook'd Records.

Just before the recordings of "Train Of Events", it was mutually decided Kjell would not continue with the band and Locomotive Breath continued as a 4-piece. In 1997 Jörgen left Crosseyed Mary, but returned to the band iun 2003. Locomotive Breath have released two albums; "Train Of Events" (later ree-issued as "Train Of New Events") and "Heavy Machinery". A new album will be recorded in 2004.

In August 2003 Overdrive again reformed with the original line-up, for a show at the Rockslaget festival. The band did another gig in December and will play the Headbanger's Open Air in Itzehoe, Germany, in July 2004.

In August 2003 Overdrive again reformed with the original line-up, for a show at the Rockslaget festival.

The band did another gig in December and played the Headbanger's Open Air in Itzehoe, Germany, in July 2004. Unfortunately Pelle now decided he wanted to quit. With not many weeks to go, the band luckily found singer Per Karlsson. Per is also the frontman of the band Unchained. His voice was perfect for the band!

In January 2004 all three Overdrive-releases ("Reflexions", "Metal Attack" and "Swords And Axes" were re-issued on High Vaultage Records).

In May 2006 the band released the new 5-track MCD "Resurrected" (ltd. ed 500).


Source : http://overdrive.se/history.htm