The Randoms- Throw Your Knive (EP)
8/10

This is a seriously good release from Auckland hardcore/grunge outfit The Randoms. The young trio of Oscar Davies-Kay, Vincent Nairn and Isaac Johnson have put together an EP that’s totally solid in every way, unleashing their rage and aggression in six tracks of bitter teenage angst. This really is a huge step forward for the band, who has been rather quiet on the Auckland live scene, never quite finding their niche and not quite fitting in to either the hardcore or alternative scenes. Throw Your Knives shows they don’t really give a fuck, recorded with esteemed New Zealand producer Bob Frisbee it’s loud and brings back memories of cult Auckland band the Rock and Roll Machine. Their heavy blend of grunge-y guitars, hardcore vocals and rock ‘n’ roll rhythms strikes an axe into the back of many of their competition (among them, tabloid rock whores Streetwise Scarlet). Opening track ‘Throw Your Knives’ is a clear stand out, marking the band’s territory with an aggressive grunge hit that rides heavily on a simple guitar riff. Enter the first single ‘There’s A Distance Between Us’ which is a heavier, bass driven hardcore track with more edgy guitar parts from Nairn. Third track ‘Falling Apart Is The Easy Thing To Do’ has a heavy metal rhythm, with the bass and drums working in unison to build a thick crust, before ‘Follow You Down’, the most progressive sounding of the six tracks takes the band into ‘top 40′ rock territory. Fans of Fugazi will likely recognise a strong influence on The Randoms; the shrill guitar sound coupled with Davies-Kay’s shout-y vocals share many similarities with the legendary Washington D.C band. The closing two tracks, ‘Sleep Easy Tonight’ and ‘Knife Cut Hands On Your Perfect Man’ borrow heavily from Fugazi’s In The Kill Taker, a wishy-washy attack of angular guitar riffs and tight rhythms.
Nick

Posted by Nick Fulton under Album, Reviews