RANDOM HAND from Keighley in West Yorkshire have been tearing up the UK scene for close to 5 years now, exploding across the nations' dancefloors with their ferocious in your face ska-punk-metal mashup.
Drawing influences from four very different but totally compatible individuals, hooked on the buzz they create as a unit, Random Hand have been taking on all comers and playing alongside the likes of Sonic Boom Six, Leftover Crack, Mustard Plug, The King Blues and Skindred, building a solid following with their intense and dynamic shows, a following which continues to grow daily.
May 2007 finally saw the release of the bands' debut album, 'Change of Plan' on Riot Music to great reviews and a summer that saw constant touring including the Rebellion and City Invasion festivals and cumulating with a triumphant set headlining the Topman Unsigned stage at the Leeds Carling Weekend. The year ended with the band on tour with Voodoo Glow Skulls and Left Alone, impressing the Glow Skulls enough to be invited to join the band on tour in America in Spring 2008, to be followed immediately by dates in the UK with Sonic Boom Six and Big D & the Kids Table heading into another busy summer.
This is the dawning of a new era, strap yourself in and hang on tight, it's going to be a wild ride!
Reviews for "Change of Plan"
"A punk rock mashup that will have you moshing one minute and skanking the next. Triumph awaits for Random Hand."
Big Cheese Magazine
"The band's ability to show their varied musical influences shines through consistently, making for an extremely interesting and ultimately enjoyable listening experience. So whether you like brassy ska-punk ('Snakes and Ladders') or something a little more aggressive (most of the other songs) there will be something for you on this record. One of the UK's best underground bands, hopefully this will help them get the credit they deserve."
Punktastic.com
"The pace and tone are furious for the most and all in all a fine effort from a hard working band."
Distorted Magazine
"It's not often you see real ska-punk nowadays and Random Hand perfectly mash it together. Beautifully explosive for a debut album, Change of Plan is a collection of happy, pumping punk stuffed full of ska hooks and punchy riffs...Manic, but so damn catchy. Exuberant pummelling from the drums is a highlight throughout and any moments of melody are soon shredded into mayhem."
The Mag
"Killer."
Mike Davies, Radio 1 Punk Show
Live Reviews
"Not so much arriving on stage as erupting, Yorkshire four-piece Random Hand brings a heavier feeling to this evening's proceedings. Blurring the boundaries between skacore and downright heavy metal, the band tears through a setlist comprising mainly of tracks from superb new album "Change of Plan". Frontman Robin Leitch covers every inch of the stage in what appears to be nothing shy of a stinging-nettle fury, trombone flailing wildly. Set closer 'Anthropology' with its siren induced menace has the entire crowd lapping up the concoction of musical ingredients. It's safe to say Random Hand is the unofficial champion of the evening."
www.skacommunity.co.uk
"Headlining tonight's gig are Random Hand, who have already developed quite an affinity with Esquires. This Yorkshire Ska-Band are incredibly making their fourth appearance here in just under a year. As per usual their entertainment value earns them top marks from me...Of their set this evening, it’s ‘Scum Triumphant’ that comes out on top. Totally anthemic and some real ‘nasty’ ska."
Bedford Esquires
"Like I would imagine a Psychedelic acid trip on a crazy fairground ride; fast lights, crazy emotions, excitement, heightened senses...this band blows you away."
The Talk Magazine
"Random Hand entices an entire dance floor assembly, serving a concoction of metal, punk and ska. Considering the early time the sheer number of people pogoing from opener 'Answers' to closer 'Anthropology' is a sight to behold. Who says all Londoners stand about with their arms crossed?"
www.skacommunity.co.uk
"Now we come to Random Hand. Now I’ve only caught a bit of their set before & even then I enjoyed their ska-metal punk stylings, but after the whole set I would have to say I was nothing short of impressed. They came on strong & stayed that way the entire set with the frontman having enough time between songs to have a laugh with the audience… I only wish now I’d had enough money to buy their CD afterwards."
www.punknews.co.uk
"...the passion and showmanship of each member of the band is reminiscent of the early, funky Nu-Metal of Incubus, while with a crazed glint in his eye, and at times politically relevant lyricisms, Leitch and co remind us of SOAD’s heavy cross genre mix-up...you won’t see a more passionate live show. These guys believe in what they play, so kick up your heels and dance like a loon, the ska rock revolution is coming soon!"
Sandman magazine
"Tonight’s opener “Play Some Ska†is particularly fitting as a small group at the back of the room has been heard mumbling unimpressed that they “thought this was a ska nightâ€, a perfect illustration of the closed-mindedness that the song scolds. It’s obvious though that these naysayers are largely outnumbered by a pit that erupts in a concoction of jumping, flailing, head-banging and general indifference to well being.What follows is a fifty minute set that sees the front row singing every word of the likes of “Milk†and “Mr Bib Wakes Up†back to the band, which after two weeks on tour is already well honed in this particular set. “Anthropology†is still a highlight (people like sirens, it’s the truth) and sounds as abrasive as ever. The trademark mix of metal and ska is on display tonight, and may not have sounded better."
www.skacommunity.co.uk
