Drive like Maria

Belgian/Dutch band Drive Like Maria got their first breakthrough with the Global Battle of the Bands in 2005. Having won the Dutch leg of the event, they went on to finish in the second tier at the final in London. The events brought them to the attention of a wider audience, and soon after the competition they were signed to the Belgian-founded PIAS label. Drive Like Maria were built on three core members -- Bjorn Awouters on guitar and vocals, Nitzan Hoffmann on guitar, and Bram van den Berg on drums -- and they released their debut, Elmwood, in 2009. They embarked on a majo...