RANDOM CUTS -
“Rat Capacity b/w Destroyed” 7” (Nominal).
“Sleep / Jail Stripes” 7” (Nominal).
“Make Damage / Pigeon Park” 7” (Nominal).
I have had countless conversations with people from all over the world about how insanely impressed I am with the quality and productivity of Vancouver's scene (specifically revolving around bands: like Shearing Pinx, Twin Crystals, Mutators, Channels 3x4, Nu Sensae (amongst many many more), labels: like Isolated Now Waves, Deer + Bird Lathe Cuts, Grotesque Modern, and their spots to let it happen and be documented: The Emergency Room and the regular “Fake Jazz Wednesdays” at the Cobalt. Vancouver is the unspoken capital of modern no-wave, weirdo punk, gothy scuzzy soul music and the tons and tons (and tons) of solo projects and side bands that spawn from ever single “group”.
Some of these are people that I have come to know and love over the years, some are just casual friends who's work I adore, but seeing and playing with these bands in various places and frequently over the past few years, I have come to the conclusion that few places are as blessed have have such a plethora of specific energy. I'm not saying I think everything within the confines of their community is perfect. I'm sure (okay, I know) that there are “people problems” getting in the way up there too. However, I can not put enough emphasis on how important I believe the output from this huge group of people is. DIY feels most alive and well right there, and the participants scramble and support each other and crossover and bleed through each others bands and labels in a beautiful and noisy display of natural intersection. The pie graph would have too many layers and be entirely to dense to attempt to consume, and a linear connection scheme would ultimately end up looking like the cover to RANDOM CUTS' “Rat Capacity”.
All of that being said: this is the new solo project of Justin Gradin, who I met as the drummer from Mutators, which came through Phoenix a few times, unfortunately scoring under-attended shows, though playing with as much intensity (and volume) as if it was the most exciting living room full of people they had ever performed in front of. Mutators were very much part of that Vancouver crew, their music was grungy and noisy and they all had their own things going on outside of that project too. (In fact, Justin does the label Grotesque Modern). However, with Random Cuts, Justin has truly veered off the path a bit, in both sound and approach, and these three singles (as well as playing with / seeing him do this live at a show with Nu Sensae over the summer) have really made for something special.
These six songs are amongst the most “normal” and “accessible” from this community, and they speak a familiar language that is so heavily intertwined with all of the bizarre music that people like, it begins to become hard to point back to what it is that correlates. Is it pointing to the first few Wipers LPs? The earliest of the Murder City Devils material? (if you are in you're mid to late 20's, you'll understand how that would be a good thing). Nirvana? Sure, sure. Gritty, driving, somewhat dirty punk / rock, with riffs that make the songs just as memorable and solid as the vocals do, with the perfect aesthetics of all three really just driving it all home, just in time for sleep. (Honestly, these three singles all look incredible. I don't know how anyone could not want to buy these or at least be drawn in and way interested / temped by the artwork alone).
In the live setting, rather than just play along to pre-record tracks, Justin actually takes the time and space to drag along his band-mates, Mildred Smith and Elanor van Houten, who indeed are mannequins,... and not only do they adorn their own bass and guitar, but on the track that Elanor does the lead vocals on, he moves the mic over to where she is. Justin has been quoted as saying “I have learned that it is sometimes better to deal with plastic humans than real ones”, but there is so much going on here than just that. I think that Justin is in love, and I bet the three of these people had an extremely good time making these unbelievably perfect 7” layouts.
All three of these come highly recommended, as does virtually all of the Nominal catalog. Check them out here: NOMINAL RECORDS.
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