DRIVE BY WIRE announce 20th anniversary celebration with compilation “XXYRS”

09-02-2026

Dutch desert rockers Drive By Wire celebrate 20 years of sonic exploration with the release of “XXYRS”, a special anniversary compilation marking two decades of heavy grooves, fuzz soaked psychedelia and hypnotic songwriting.

Formed in 2006 in Deventer by vocalist and guitarist Simone Holsbeek, already known for her work with cult Dutch band The Cords, and lead guitarist Alwin Wubben, Drive By Wire quickly built a reputation for their unique blend of stoner rock power, hazy desert atmospheres and trippy, charismatic vocals. Across the years, together with Marcel Zerb on bass and Ingmar Regeling on drums, the band has carved out a distinctive sound capable of building massive sonic landscapes and psychedelic tapestries.

To celebrate this milestone, XXYRS collects essential tracks from the band’s catalogue, newly remastered for 2026, alongside a brand new re recording of the classic 2006 single “Dirt”, and the first ever physical release of the fan favorite “You Better Run”.

Watch the remastered “Blood Red Moon” below.

The album is both a look back and a renewed statement of intent, highlighting the evolution of Drive By Wire from their early underground days to their mature, organic desert rock sound shaped by influences ranging from Kyuss to Jefferson Airplane and Heart.

Over the years the band has toured extensively across Europe, headlined shows in Greece and Switzerland, played major Dutch venues such as Paradiso, Vera and Tivoli, shared stages with Kyuss, Blues Pills, Mudhoney and Fu Manchu, and appeared at festivals including DesertFest, Eurosonic, Generatorfest, Dijkpop and Zwarte Cross. Their music has also reached wider audiences through placements in American TV series such as Batwoman and Riverdale.

Released via Argonauta Records, XXYRS is available now, February 6, on all digital platforms: https://album.link/drivebywire-xxyrs, with the CD edition following on May 29, 2026.

Twenty years in, Drive By Wire continue to invite listeners on a trip through the inner cosmos and out into the sonic desert.

Tracklist

Blood Red Moon
Dirt
Northern Lights
Apollo
Sound of Sand
Kerosine Dreams
Slowrider
Mammoth
Glider
Fire Inside
The Whole Shebang
You Better Run
Lost Tribes

Social media