Random Hold was a British rock band in 1977-1980.

History

The numerous odds and circumstances relating to this undeservedly forgotten band are put quite clearly in the essential source (The Random Hold Archive, link see below) of this article, which represents but a rough excerpt: Initially, two Davids, surnamed Ferguson (keyb) and Rhodes (git) respectively felt so uncomfortable with the acclaimed concert of 801 (including, among others, Brian Eno and Phil Manzanera) that they decided to form a musical unit together. This duet initially bore the remarkable name “Manscheinen” and “experimental pop” appeared to be a cautious description of the premature results also in terms of instrumental versatility ("One gig was so bad we took the audience down to the pub for a drink instead.", RHA). Although being intermittedly in idle mode, this cooperation led to the creation of “Random Hold” in 1977. Apart of other incarnations the band's most straight ahead sounding outfit consisted of the aforementioned Davids including Pete Phipps of the “Gary Glitter Band” (dr) and Bill MacCormick of Quiet Sun, Matching Mole and 801 (b). After the struggle through post-natal complications and ongoing ones both external with coming into business and internal considering different views on musical compromises with effects on certain band members the band signed a record contract (Polydor) and was assigned Peter Hammill as producer (a songwriter and musician who is otherwise busy with his own stuff entirely) because Peter Gabriel (who had D. Rhodes on his payroll already) had to decline on schedule reasons. There have been ties to PG since the band was a support act on parts of his 1980 tour and he strongly promoted them as a very remarkable band. However, the amount of public response both in the record stores and on venues clearly justified the sarcasm establishing soon in the comments of the band on their quest for an audience. A British music magazine reflected this by the end of RH:

"Melody Maker, 16th August 1980: In last weeks' issue, Random Hold were looking for a new bass player. This week, they're also looking for a new keyboardist, drummer and guitarist. In other words, Random Hold have split up."(RHA)

The particular reasons for the quarrel between MacCormick and the Davids leading to the split of the band have never been unveiled to date of one of the musicians involved; while the missing success in the working phase, permantly threatened by bankruptcy was suffered with bitter humour, the split-up appeared to be no fun at all and in disillusion (member's sights vary however, see respective link references). A cooperation on a different project was nevertheless established only 5 weeks later between MacCormick and Ferguson. The least mentioned tried to continue RH with an all new personnel, a venture not of a lasting nature. Rhodes meanwhile found relief in studio and stage appearances, primarily as a member of the Peter Gabriel band.

Music

One reason for the lack of resonance at the record companies could be seen in an attitude which should be a hallmark of musical quality really (and isn’t considered as such, not past nor present): the musical restrictions Random Hold seem to be submitted have been afew. The music have been characterized as proto-new wave, but it missed the mannerism and particular glamour of the genre, albeit not deliberate in every extent. Coherence was basically the result of the band's sound: bold and dry, without softening flavours of sound wizzdom, continuously distorted bass, venerable analogue synthesizers and “anybody, who had to sing” (who was D. Rhodes the most time). Unlike the guitar work of Rhodes the songs occasionally failed the state of sophistication in the same way the rude band sound did. This might at first be irritating for nowaday’s listeners (But: Once gotten rid of spoilt hearing habits of today, the aspects of rude in dynamics, brooding and subtle in the notes are inevitably coming to perception e.g. as a strong counterpart to the ubiquitous format radio).

Where are they now?

David Rhodes is mentioned above as a member of the Peter Gabriel Band; he is until today, doing world-spanning project and studio work aside of this.

David Ferguson lives in Bristol, working as a composer for film and television scores.

Pete Phipps joined XTC later (his contributions were on “Mummer”, “Big Express” plus live appearances), he played also for Roger Chapman, Eurhythmics, Mike Rutherford among others.

Bill MacCormick was in business as a producer for a while afterwards, he withdrew from music activities later in favour of a political career (Liberal Democrats).

Simon Ainley (vox) is now in some completely different business as a landscape architect (larches?)

Discography (incomplete)

• Etceteraville (1979); EP
• The View From Here (1980); LP, re-released as double-CD, studio and live (with an announcement of Peter Gabriel)
• Overview (2001); Collection of both demo and studio work of all RH line-ups 1977 - 1980; CD

Singles and EP's popped up in different song permutations during the band's lifetime.

External links

• http://www.manzanera.com/Randoms/front.htm the Random Hold Archive - official archive with an extensive and insightful chronicle plus 3 full-length mp3 downloads
• http://www.btinternet.com/~stephen.yarwood/rh.htm a Fan
• http://www.btinternet.com/~stephen.yarwood/bmc.htm - the bass player (a retrospective interview on RH and precedent groups)
• http://sofasound.com/assocrh.htm the producer
• http://www.petephipps.co.uk/ the drummer
• http://www.btinternet.com/~stephen.yarwood/ferguson.htm the synthesizist
• http://www.davidrhodes.org/ the guitarist and singer
• http://www.simonvenn.co.uk/ the not-so-bleak singer