Overdrive were formed in May 1977 by a clash of lunatic ideas and influences from rock bands that were around at this time between Tracey Abbott and Neil (mad dog!) Streets. The line up at this time was:
Tracey Abbott (lead guitar) Ian Hamilton (bass guitar main vocal) Neil (mad dog) Streets (percussion and 2nd vocals), Paul Garner (rhythm guitar)

March 1978 saw the departure of Neil (mad dog) Streets to his new alter ego (Alfredo Spoonbender, don't ask) Scratch Animal Padget (soon to be long-term Overdrive member) took up duties on skins.

November 1978 saw more changes and the addition of Tracey's old school friend and another long-term Overdrive member Steve Farmer on vocals and later on down the line Steve would also, as today play bass guitar.

1980 Ian Hamilton returned to Overdrive when the long sold out famous EP, On The Run/Nightmare/Stonehenge was recorded and released. During this period Overdrive went from strength to strength-filling village halls and venues all around the UK, this included support slots with Electric Gypsies (Bernie Tormé see: www.bernietorme.ision.co.uk and Lionheart, Sparta and others of that era.

Summer of 1980 Scratch departed Overdrive for some rest and rehabilitation later in 1981 he formed Marz with soon to depart Steve Farmer. 1982 Tracey formed Pendragon with Phil Noon (brother of Def Leppards “Rocks Off EP” drummer Frank Noon) and Roger (wot) Mckown on bass, and vocalist Andy Saxby.

In 1984 Andy and Rog departed Pendragon, Phil and Tracey joined up with Phil Britten and Kevin Holmes with the return of Steve Farmer on vocals to form Vesuvius.

1987 the band split, Tracey went off the work with English Dogs and later formed Metal Storm with the now Damned drummer Andy Pinching see: www.officialdamned.com this was to be for only 1 year.

1988 again saw the reforming of Overdrive, the line up this time would be Tracey on lead guitar, Ian Hamilton on vocals, and Bob Bonnefin on 2nd guitar, Scratch on drums. Work at this time started on the Overdrive Dishonest Words album that was released later on that year.

1988 to 1994 saw various line ups come and go, in 1994 Tracey actually stopped playing guitar altogether and Overdrive finally disbanded.

During the wilderness years following until mid 2004 there were various jam nites, and a support slot with old friends Witchfynde etc see: www.witchfynde.com but nothing serious with any of the guys until it was noticed that the original Overdrive EP was now in great demand once more, with lots of activity on E-bay, it was then realised Overdrive has a strong European following which has got Overdrive back together in the line up you see today, inspired by the totally new and old generations finding a place in their life's once more for the music and ideas of Overdrive.

5 new albums have since been released to date since summer 2005, in addition Overdrive have been on tour in Germany and the USA, the rest is history!


Source : http://www.overdriverockband.co.uk/Pages2/history.htm