Album Review: Hit Reset by Random Hand

You may have heard that Keighley's ska punk heroes Random Hand have just gone on an indefinite hiatus. Before the boys left us, however, they gave us one last studio album, their fourth, called Hit Reset. To fund this album Random Hand started a pledge campaign and it went overwhelmingly well with them hitting their target in a matter of hours.

The opening song is called Day One and is actually a track that was released a little while ago for free on Random Hand's Bandcamp page. Day One is a fast paced hardcore punk song that steps slightly away from the Hands traditional sound. It's a fast and ferocious track that really gets the album off to an explosive start. Second track Death By Pitchforks is a return to the sound we all know and love. Starting out with plenty of trombone that is sure to get any pit going into a frenzy, Death By Pitchforks is a ska punk banger that would undoubtedly have been a big hit at a live Random Hand show. It's about the mob mentality of British politics and being considered wrong if your opinion is different to the masses. The third song is titled Protect & Survive. The intro of this song really makes me want to bang my head before an angry Robin Leitch shouts down the microphone and gets me really pumped up. The song itself is about looking out for yourself and the people around you because nobody else will. If I Save Your Back has a really catchy intro that would get any crowd singing instantly. It then becomes a bit of a melodic punk track, something we've not heard much from Random Hand in the past. I like that they have done some experimenting on what is most probably their final album. It's a different sound but it's still very much Random Hand.

The next song, After The Alarm, goes back to some classic Random Hand ska punk. Robin’s trombone is fast paced and takes centre stage in the intro but for me it was Joe Tilston's bass that really shines throughout the track. It really drives the tempo of the song along. Dead No Longer is the shortest song on Hit Reset and doesn't relent throughout its one minute and forty-eight seconds. I found the production on the song very interesting with the vocals never really sounding any louder than the music. This gives the song a whole new feeling of intensity. Track seven, Maybe It's A Prize, starts out with Dan Walsh's guitar and Robin’s vocals really drawing you into the song. This song goes along at a slower tempo that I'm really used to with Random Hand so it took me a few plays to really get a proper feel for it; I was constantly expecting a big, rambunctious, rowdy part that never appeared. Pack It Up really reminded me of Not A Number from Seething Is Believing. It has a similar marching style trombone intro and a fast paced ska sound before a massive chorus of "Fuck This Shit, We're Doing It Our Way." A punk rock motto if ever there was one! My favourite song on Hit Reset.

A Clean Slate is another high tempo hardcore punk rock song. Making excellent use of Joe and Dan's backing vocals it feels like words are coming from all directions and this gives the song real urgency. Random Hand are just as good at hardcore punk rock as they are at ska music, either combining them or playing them separately they are really, really good! Abide does a really good job of combining both ska and hardcore punk rock with upbeat ska music that will get a crowd skanking during the verse before flipping it in classic Random Hand style to a mosh pit inducing hardcore punk party. The penultimate song is called Shelter As A Verb and manages to make me dance from the very start. I loved the technique used during the verse where Dan's guitar and Robin's vocals are using different melodies, it makes for a very interesting sound. The whole track really showcases Dan's skill on the guitar, something that is sometimes very overlooked. The final track is As Loud As You Can and musically this track has a huge metal feel to it, really driving along with some great thumping drums by Sean Howe. Robin's trombone makes a final appearance on the album to push some extra life into an already lively track. Another cracking song!

I have some mixed feelings about Hit Reset, I think it's an incredible album that sees Joe, Robin, Sean and Dan go out on a real high. It completes a body of work they can be really proud of. But I'm also quite sad it will be a very long time untill I'll get to see any of these songs live, if I ever do. Random Hand are phenomenal on record but playing live is when they are truly at their best.

Buy Hit Reset here: http://store.bombermusic.com/products/559309-random-hand-hit-reset

Like Random Hand here: https://www.facebook.com/randomhand

Album Review: Rotten Routine by Bottler

London based four piece Bottler have just released a brand new EP, called Rotten Routine, on the ever fantastic Disconnect Disconnect Records. I loved their first EP Smithereens, so I was excited to hear this new effort. I was also quite interested to hear the new trance music and synths route that guitarist Jon had promised me.

The opening title track, Rotten Routine, immediately displays a much better level of production than on Smithereens. The song is about the monotony of daily life and how it feels like you're just going round in circles. The chorus is instantly catchy, you will be singing along after just one listen, and the guitar chords are really interesting, they really grab your attention. Death Wish Cyclist is a short (thirty-four second) song lamenting cyclists who think they own the road. It's a funny, short song that really brought a smile to my face. Your Own is my favourite song on Rotten Routine. It’s a ska punk track, something I really wasn't expecting from Bottler. It's about being brave enough to follow your dreams no matter what anyone else thinks - true friends will have your back regardless. It's a proper sing-along, fun song that will have you with your arms round your neighbours singing at the top of your voice.

Pearls sees a change in musical direction with some much more restrained vocals. It's a thoughtful song about living your life by learning from your mistakes. I really liked the premise of the song and it was delivered brilliantly. Bottler are very good lyricists and also love a witty song title, which is clearly evident in the penultimate track Pleasuring Her Majesty. This is a mid-tempo track that sounds the most like something from Smithereens. There are fantastic bass lines throughout the song that give the song an extra dimension and the harmonies work really well. It's about being a product of a bad upbringing and constantly finding yourself in serious trouble because of it. Rotten Routine finishes with a cover of The Cure classic Boys Don't Cry. It's a fun way to finish the EP and shows the Bottler boys’ excellent sense of humour.

I'm a bit friendly with Jon from Bottler so it could seem that I would only write positive things about this EP but I can honestly say that I would love this even if I hated the guy. It's a smart, well written and varied EP that you should all check out immediately.

Stream and buy Rotten Routine here: https://disconnectdisconnectrecords.bandcamp.com/album/rotten-routine 

Get more information on Bottler here: https://www.facebook.com/bottlerband

Gig Review: Woahnows at Urban Bar 18/9/15

176 Records are probably my favourite promoters in the UK's DIY punk scene. They consistently put on friendly, welcoming shows with some of the best line-ups around. Friday the 18th of September was no exception with 176 Records taking over Whitechapel's Urban Bar to put on Woahnows with support from Shit Present and Myelin.

 

This was the first ever gig for London's Myelin, a band formed by ex Apologies, I Have None guitarist and singer Dan Bond. I always enjoyed seeing Bond perform with his former band and was very disappointed to hear that he had left so I was completely stoked to hear Myelin. Without being able to go into much detail on the songs I thought Myelin were fantastic, playing some passionate and emotional punk rock songs. Despite nobody in the room really knowing any of the songs I noticed a lot of heads nodding along to the big, crunching guitars and pounding drums. For a first ever gig Myelin were so slick, I can't wait to hear more from them.

Next up were Specialist Subject Records act Shit Present. This was my second time seeing the four piece in a couple of months and the first time since they released their excellent self-titled debut EP. We all know Iona as the bass player and occasional singer of Great Cynics but Shit Present is her own project and really allows her to take centre stage and show just how talented she is as a musician (she plays guitar in Shit Present), singer and a songwriter. She actually has one of my favourite voices in all of punk rock so to hear her sing live is always a pleasure. The EP is as good live as it is recorded, which really displays just how good a singer Iona is. The whole performance was very enjoyable, with Thom from Gnarwolves also really standing out with an energetic performance on guitar. You can't help but love Shit Present.

Headline act Woahnows are a band I've been aware of for ages but have never really listened to or seen live. I didn't even realise they were a three piece until they took to the stage. As soon as they began their performance I really wish I’d checked them long ago as they were fantastic! This Plymouth based band's energy was off the charts and they were clearly having so much fun playing to the Urban Bar crowd. The fuzzy indie pop punk style that Woahnows play live is infectious and you can't help but move along with the band. Their front man in particular really stood out;joyously dancing around the stage between blaring out his vocals. I don't think there are many better feelings (in the music world anyway) than when you go to a gig not really knowing a band and then coming away completely buzzed with a new favourite band. That was definitely the feeling I had after the Woahnows set, which ended far too soon for my satisfaction.

Thanks to 176 Records for putting on yet another fantastic night of punk rock, you guys do some fantastic work and play a big part in keeping the scene alive.

GIg Review: Random Hand Final Show at Camden Underworld 13/9/15

The day had finally arrived: Sunday 13th September 2015. The day of Random Hand’s final show before they started their indefinite hiatus. All eyes had pointed towards this date, the day of their final Camden Underworld show, since it had been announced earlier in the year.

First band up was Kings Lynn's Faintest Idea, a band I'd seen a week previously supporting Random Hand at the Late Summer Skank in Bristol. As ever the horn section started the set in the crowd, rounding everyone up and insuring a decent chunk of the crowd were right down the front for the set. Eventually the horns joined the rest of the band on stage and Faintest Idea ripped through a set of ska infused street punk anthems. Since Random Hand announced their hiatus I've thought about which bands could be taking their place at the top of the ska punk pile. With their important political and social messages and their ability to write catchy lyrics as well as being one of the best live bands in the scene, for me Faintest Idea are going right to the top.

Next up were melodic pop punks River Jumpers from Brighton. This year River Jumpers have had somewhat of a transformation, having changed the entire line up other than front man Nick and become a five piece rather than a four. This was actually my second time seeing River Jumpers in two days after seeing them the night before at Might As Well Fest at the MacBeth In Hoxton, where I really enjoyed their set. The legendary Jesse James were originally supposed to be playing this show but sadly had to pull out and so River Jumpers got to play. It felt like a bit of an odd choice for a ska punk show but that really didn't stop them putting in a big performance. Even though I had just seen them the night before, I had a great time singing along with the band who worked really hard to get the crowd onside. It paid off; after a little hesitancy the crowd warmed to them and by the end of the set people were dancing and singing along.

Anyone who knows anything about the UK's ska punk scene will know about the long relationship between Random Hand and their special guests tonight - Sonic Boom Six! Both bands burst onto the scene at the same time and have played together countless times so it was only right that Sonic Boom Six played this show. The anticipation was high for a band that don’t play anywhere near enough live shows. Playing an old school set, SB6 had the crowd jumping immediately with favourites like Sound Of A Revolution, Piggy In The Middle and Bigger Than Punk Rock. I can't think of a band that are slicker on stage than Sonic Boom Six with both Laila K and Barney Boom managing to wrap the crowd round their fingers. The set even managed to get some stage divers, as well as Random Hand's Joe Tilston having a go himself. I know this was obviously Random Hand's night but I would have loved to see Sonic Boom Six play a longer set. Happily they are going on tour in November to promote their long awaited brand new album.

Next it was time for the band we were all waiting for - Random Hand! After what seemed like forever, Keighley's favourite sons took to the stage and put on the greatest set I've ever seen them do, and I've never seen them play a bad one. You could forgive them for getting lost in the emotion of the night but it seemed to make them play better than ever. They were clearly more determined than ever to put on a show that nobody in the room would forget. Every song got a fantastic reaction, it's not until you see Random Hand live that you realise just how many amazing songs they have written during their career. Front man Robin’s on-stage banter was in top form as well; whether it be popping balloons, joking that nobody was to have any fun or by telling the crowd that the band were in charge because they were better than them, everyone in the building was having a great time with the band. The floor of the Underworld was fall front-to-back of people dancing and singing along with Random Hand. Everyone was clearly really trying to make the most of the band knowing they won't be seeing them live again for a long time. There was a funny moment when a member of the crowd requested that the band play Wheels On The Bus and Robin jokily responded that that was more the kind of thing Sonic Boom Six would do. Cue Barney Boom coming on stage and leading the band in a rendition of the song - only at a punk show! Sadly the show had to come to an end and as they finished with Scum Triumphant all of their friends stormed the stage to sing the final chorus, as did a big portion of the crowd. After the crowd had cleared Random Hand appeared back on the stage so that the people who had remained on the floor could see the whole of the song without the stage invasion, a move I thought was really classy.

Random Hand are one of the best punk bands our scene has ever seen and will always be remembered as legends and will be sorely missed. Good luck with whatever you do next boys. Please come back and "Play Some Ska" soon!

Gig Review: New Town Kings at Colchester Arts Centre 11/9/15

 

A New Town Kings hometown show is always a big deal in Colchester. Our finest band always put on a big performance whenever they play at Colchester Arts Centre and always draw a big crowd.

There was only one support act for the night: The Majestic from London. This was my first time seeing the five piece in a couple of years so I was interested to see how they have progressed in that time. I also had a feeling that the majority of the crowd had never seen them before as to begin with the crowd were quite static. That soon changed as The Majestic's roots and reggae music and message of one love, peace and unity quickly won over the Colchester Arts Centre. They were a fun opening band.

 

The New Town Kings have taken their modern take on traditional ska music all over Europe over the past few years but have never forgotten where they came from, frequently playing small shows and festivals all over the Essex area and this is one of the many reasons they are loved. Another, pretty big reason is that they are a group of some of the most talented musicians I've ever seen who work ridiculously well together. They are great recorded but to really feel the full New Town Kings experience you need to see them live. As soon as the Kings took to the stage they had the crowd in the palm of their hands. Opening with Luna Rosa they then played a mixed set of old and new songs as well as four or five unreleased tracks that sounded absolutely fantastic. Of course the biggest reactions were for classics like La La World, New Town Hop and encore song Fire In The Hole but it was great to hear front man Dabs’ first original songs with the band, Luna Rosa, Franceen and Grabbed My Hand also get a good reaction. Colchester has really taken him in and treats him like one of its own. The whole band are so incredibly tight as musicians that there never seems to be a beat missed or a bad note and always have the crowd skanking for the entirety of their set, always smiling. I love the New Town Kings, they make me proud to be from Colchester.