Random Hand

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Random Hand
Origin	Keighley, West Yorkshire, England
Genre(s)	Ska, Metal, Reggae
Years active	2002–present
Label(s)	Riot Music
Members
Robin Leitch: Trombone, Vocals Joe Tilston: Bass, Vocals Joe Dimuantes: Drums, samples Matthew Crosher: Guitar, Vocals

Random Hand is a British ska, metal and reggae band formed in Keighley in 2002.^[1]

1 Overview
2 Biography
3 Discography
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Overview

Random Hand are a 4 piece punk band from Keighley West Yorkshire. Their sound fuses influences from many genres, including ska, reggae, punk, metal, hip hop and dub to name but a few. The band is typically associated with the punk scene due to its ethics and lyrical content. The main themes represented within the songs are usually of a social and/or political nature reflecting the environment in which they were written. The band has often been associated with left-wing politics specifically anti-racism. They have acquired a nationwide UK fan base due to constant touring and are renowned for their energetic live shows.

[edit] Biography

Random Hand formed in late 2002, and consists of the members Joe Tilston, Robin Leitch, Mathew Crosher and Joe Dimuantes. The four members came from three other local bands, Nosebone, Fluke Shot Frenzy and Fat Priest, who had all played a part in the local scene over the years leading up to the formation of Random Hand.

Random Hand played their first show on the eve of 2003 at a house party, in a basement where they had built a stage over the weeks before the party. The first official gig was on Valentines Day 2003 at the Vic Hotel in Keighley, this gig was followed with a few other shows around the county in Huddersfield, Leeds and Halifax.

The band recorded their first demo in the summer of 2003, it consisted of four tracks with hints of what was to develop into the sound of what we hear today. The tracks where much less inventive in their approach to mixing genres, but the ideas and intention that we see now was still represented. This was only really given as a release for download, while the band continued to gig and develop their sound.

In late 2004 the band spent a day in the studio with TimG to record a better representation of what the band was now creating live.

The band set off on their first tour in January which was named the Ska Bar Tour; 7 days with Catch-it Kebabs and Zen Baseball Bat. This tour was followed up soon after with another self booked UK tour in march where the band released the EP they recorded with TimG. It was aptly named the 'On The March EP' and featured the tracks "Tear Down", "Mr.Bib Wakes Up", "The Story" and "Morally Blind" This first release also featured two live recordings. This period is often regarded as the start of the bands career.

Random Hand continued to gig as often as possible over the proceeding years, with appearances at events like Morcambe's Wasted Festival, shows with the likes of The Planet Smashers, Adequate Seven, Sonic Boom Six, Bad Manners, The Beat, Skindred and Babar Luck. The latter teamed up with the band in the studio to record two tracks "Save Us In This World" and "One World", which on special occasions have been played live.

These achievements where soon noticed by Hidden Talent Booking in 2006 when representation of the band commenced. This saw Random Hand playing shows on Adequate Seven's final tour, Lightyear's reunion tour and The Three Way Dance with Sonic Boom Six, Failsafe and Crazy Arm, before heading into the studio to record their debut album Change of Plan^[2] with Peter Miles in Southampton. This record was released on Riot Music on May 7th 2007 to critical acclaim.

Following the release the band's schedule stepped up, seeing them tour with the likes of Voodoo Glow Skulls, Grown at Home, The JB Conspiracy, Left Alone and many larger shows at the likes of City Invasion, Rebellion and Leeds Festival^[3].

Tracks from their album are now receiving regular play on the Mike Davies^[4] Show and also saw a short airing on the Steve Lemacq Show^[5], resulting in the band being invited to the world famous Maide Vale Studios to record a session for the Radio One Punk Show at the end of 2007. Tracks also appeared on several cover CD's for Big Cheese Magazine.

2008 started with their first headline tour of the UK, which consisted of over 20 dates across the entire country.

The band are now working on material for their follow up to 2007's "Change of Plan" while continuing to gig as often as possible, including a tour of America with Voodoo Glow Skulls.

In 2008 Random Hand have confirmed to play several festivals in the UK. In April they played City Invasion in Bolton and London. At the end of May as part of their tour with Sonic Boom Six and Big D and the Kids Table they played both Slam Dunk Fest and Strummercamp in the same day, Sunday 25th May. The band have also once again been confirmed for the Rebellion Festival, the world's biggest dedicated punk festival in Blackpool in mid August. It has been confirmed that Random Hand will appear at the 2008 Reading and Leeds Festival on Lock-Up stage.