Twenty years in, and top of their game, West Yorkshire, Keighley-bred ska punk icons Random Hand have gone from strength to strength in 2023 as they celebrate their 20th year as a band with a new, chart-topping self-titled album. Released at the end of September via Bomber Music as the band headlined their biggest sold-out London show to date for their own Handfest at The Dome in North London, which Rockshot Magazine went down to check out, the critically acclaimed album hit number #5 in the rock charts, #25 in the indie chart and #58 in the main physical release charts.
Random Hand
“Getting in the charts isn’t obviously something a DIY Ska Punk expects to achieve,” exclaims bassist Joe Tilston. “So, when I broached it with our label, the unexpected challenge was taken up with excitement and determination. After months of hard work from all involved, we managed it! After a really strong sales week in the charts, it looked for a moment that the goal was out of reach. But getting the whole scene backing the campaign in the last 36 hours was something we could not have seen coming, and it humbled us beyond words.”
Random Hand - Handfest @ The Dome
“It’s hard to believe we’re 20 years in, when it feels like we’re just getting started in so many ways,” continues Joe. “The scene feels so positive and growing in a way we had always hoped it would, back when we were starting. As long as people want us, we’ll be striving to help elevate and promote the music and people we love.”
Listen to the album here and below:
20 years ago, as the seemingly unstoppable third wave of ska punk came crashing down on the world of popular music, only to leave a misunderstood scene in its wake, Random Hand worked tirelessly on keeping the spirit of the bands that inspired them alive and kicking. Having taken a brief pause from touring to pursue solo projects after the release of 2015’s ‘Hit Reset’ album, the band have returned with aplomb.
“We pushed ourselves to breaking, then further still,” explains Joe. “We stopped to recover and then came back with a passion and energy we didn’t think possible. Random Hand have now played over 2,000 shows and we are currently curating a series of our own HandFests across the UK this year, the first in Leeds in February sold out two days in less than 45 minutes.”
Random Hand are: Robin Leitch – Vocals & Trombone, Joe Tilston – Bass, Dan Walsh – Guitar, Sean Howe – Drums
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