It’s rare that a band will call it quits and then release a brand new record. As something that’s pretty much seen exclusively in the punk rock community, Random Hand have done exactly that. The ska-punk tearaways from Yorkshire provide one last crowd-funded hurrah before they go on an indefinite hiatus.
With the four piece’s last ever (but most ridiculous) tour already finished, ‘Hit Reset’ stories everything that made Random Hand a cult favourite. Clearly unphased by any financial gain, making it in the mainstream was never the mission. The band just want to educate, do something different to everybody else and to put some smiles on peoples faces while they’re at it; and this fourth full-length record does them complete justice.
Although it’s a genre some like to chuckle at, ‘Hit Reset’ is completely packed with ska punk singalongs that are innovative rather cheesy. Like a mix of Bad Brains, Black Flag and The Specials, every song has a level of anarchism to it that makes you want stick your fingers up to the nearest figure of authority in sight (probably your mum though so be careful).
Vocalist Robin Leitch provides individual and intelligent lyricism on tracks like ‘Death By Pitchforks’ without it sounding cliche or overzealous. He reminds you exactly why they’re one of the most politically switched on bands in UK punk rock.
It’s a massive shame that these tracks won’t be fully embraced live. Opening song ‘Day One’ has that quick-fire pace and hardcore like snarl to get the circle pits going. The anthemic ‘If I Save Your Back’ would have been a setlist must, while ‘After The Alarm’ and ‘Pack it Up’ get the trombone out as the band use their classic brass sound that would have everyone in a room skanking and sweating.
‘A Clean Slate’ may be the weakest song on the album, but only because you’ve heard them do this three minute formula many times already. The latter part of the album does slightly suffer by this. They know how to put together a cracking song structure, one that will get you dancing no matter what, but some added ambition to experiment further would have kept the album interesting and not harmful at all.
Although they never made a massive noise about it, for anyone actively involved in the scene, Random Hand have been one of the pioneering bands in the last ten years. Their unrivalled energy and passion points out that they’re leaving a large hole in ska punk, which, considering many people have moved on, may never get filled.
This album and their final live shows allows Random Hand to walk away (for now) with their heads firmly held high without any obvious regret. It’s a statement on why they are so special to so many fans, and this is the perfect parting gift for them. It’s going to be sad without them, but you never know when they might decide to hit reset…
LOUIS KERRY