Volume 2 Part 1,
Random GrandadThis rowdy lot play “dark hardcore with brass” which, to me, sounds like a good bit of skacore. They're not the chirpy ska band I would have expected with their name and to be honest, they are fairly competent at what they do but are handicapped by the fact that they haven't really found a sound that benefits them. It's a tough thing to do because with No Comply blazing their brass-tinged metallic punk trail through the isle, it's hard to see Random Grandad being able to step out of their shadow.
“Ohhh It's On The Green” (a Tiger reference I do hope? Let me know) is the most effective track showcased here because it flows a lot more coherently than “Dan's Diagnosis” and feels a lot fuller. I think RG are going to have a rough time of it because of the wealth of bands that have proven themselves to be effective purveyors of skacore are already established and while RG are promising, it's unclear whether there's anything special enough about them to really guarantee giving them a whole load of attention.
Having said that, the tracks are biting enough to suggest that RG would be killer live, and it'd be well worth checking them out to make a better judgement. But I can't authoritatively say that what's been recorded is worth making a huge effort for. It's good, but it's not brilliant, and while I'd rather listen to this than a whole world of shitty pop punk I'd much rather put on some No Comply, because they do this stuff a whole lot better. Maybe in a year or so they'll return with a blinding new set of songs and to be honest, I can see it happening, but right now they're merely 'good' rather than 'awesome'.
Ben
www.randomgrandad.co.uk
