Random Hand is a genuinely rare band, one that specifically tries to innovate without arrogance or ego. Their first demo contained potential but not much else, but it was seeing them perform life in Bradford that suggested that they had much better inside them. Thankfully, On The March definitely captures their live energy, focalised through a collection of songs that straddle the boundary between promise and execution, and it’s obvious from first listen that this latest EP is by far and away the best thing they’ve recorded.
It’s easy to lump them in with bands like King Prawn or Sonic Boom Six because of the way they try to mix sounds (frantic ska and melodic punk rock all put through a weird blender of ragga and Eastern minor-key harmonies) as much as they can. ‘The Story’ is the most beats-orientated track on offer here and is mostly successful, apart from the overly-whining guitar during the verses. It’s a hell of a lot more interesting to listen to than a lot of other bands because while it’s inherently imperfect because of t’Hand’s youth, it’s bold enough to warrant attention. And anyway, the KP and SB6 comparisons are there because they too are bands that are characterised by their affinity with heterogeneity – like saying Ringu is similar to The Shining because they’re both a bit scary – and Random Hand should develop into a band that can fulfil their (very real) potential.
When ‘Tear Down’ and ‘Morally Blind’ kick in, they’re both exemplary punk rock songs that nonetheless manage to slip into other music voices seemingly at will. Backed by a satisfyingly meaty production that does them all sorts of favours, the transitions between light and heavy are always well-handled and steer clear of the predictable formulae that lesser bands never shy away from. Also included are a couple of live tracks (‘Wicki Wah Suczka’ and ‘Article 14′) that are unfortunately recorded at a lesser quality than the rest but also have enough of the Random Hand sound to still be worthy listening. It’d have been nice to hear these recorded with the proper beef behind them but as another example of Random Hand‘s sound, they’re nevertheless welcome.
On The March is a very good EP and deserves to push Random Hand into the next stage of the UK scene. Having said that, it’s not the finished article but it is a huge step forward that signals more positive things should come from them in the coming months. In about a year they should have matured into a fully-fledged beast of rock, and if they play in a town near you they’re definitely worth seeing live. This EP is still better than the vast majority of local-based bands’ output, and the fact that they’ve definitely got more in them is pleasing for anyone that wants a bit of socially-relevant ska punk.
Ben
www.randomhand.co.uk