RANDOM ERA Interview

Liverpool hip-hoppers Random Era released a sterling debut LP The Searching Years earlier this month. Monkeyboxing Empire caught up with rappers Ash The Gent and Philly Wiz to ask some appropriately searching questions…

Monkeyboxing Empire Music (MBE) - Excuse the ignorance, but Liverpool isn’t (arguably) a city that is commonly associated with hip-hop. How does the scene there compare to other regional places like Bristol, Leeds or Brighton?

Ash The Gent (A): Liverpool isn't particularly a hip-hop city. As for how it compares to the other places; probably poorly. There are a few people doing their thing but you could say that about any city. The small scene that we did have has further deteriorated of late. But on the upside, there is this new crew called RandomEra blah, blah, blah...
Philly Wiz (P): Not to sure how it compares to them other places, but its pretty gash now. It used to be quite good, a couple of good nights particularly no faking, and always been some good acts i.e FIC. and there’s still loads of good new talent coming out of Liverpool but there’s little platform here as there is most places, I presume. The only people who go to UK rap gigs now are other rappers and DJs - oh and the odd breaker.

MBE - Random Era have risen from the ashes of The Shakti – what happened to the previous band?

A: The rest of The Shakti are working on their own projects. The Mak of All Trades has relesed a solo EP, as well as an EP with Jambon, both worth checking. DJ Rasp recently made the London finals of the DMCs again. He is also cleaning up his production skills (I've just recorded a couple of tracks with him). He is on our album, and can be seen in action at every hip-hop artist in Liverpool's gigs', at a nightclub near me. Sharlene is on the album, and has recently put on a play that she wrote and directed, and has recorded an album with The Hat Band. As for the split...Life...Stuff...Ya Move On...
P: We were together a while - like about 6 or 7 years, released a few things and did loads of gigs but things just kind of moved on and it had run its course.

MBE - Congratulations on a wicked album – there was a quote on your myspace from a guy who said his pants fell down from laughing and dancing at the same time – that pretty much sums up the response from most people I’ve played it to – though I am aware certain reviewers were not amused. Do you think there’s a danger that some might be put off by the humour and not take you seriously as a hip-hop act?

A: We chose 3 punchline tunes for the first tunes we put up on MySpace just to get a reaction. However, that is not a true representation of the album as a whole. Some of it's very unfunny.
P: I’ve always liked humour in music y’know Madness, Ian Dury.. we’re not overly humourous, I don't think, but as soon as people get on to it I think they immediately go GLC, Pitman but we’re not really anything like them. We do have more social commentary stuff in there and we can actually rap, and make good music. For some reason that tit …[reviewer from major UK Hip Hop mag]…just didn’t get it. But y'know Lewis ...[also of said UK Hip Hop mag]…has it on number 3 on the UK chart, so at least he acknowledged that it is a significant piece of UK rap.

MBE - There seems to be, running through your lyrics and track titles – even the band name – a sense that you guys are both bemused by the current state of hip-hop in the UK and on a mission to kick some arses – is that a fair summary?

A: Ha...just bemused in general I think. The tunes aren't necessarily having a swipe at the contemporary UK Hip-Hop scene, just having a look, and a laugh, at society as a whole. The way of the times is naturally reflected in the music and attitudes of these so called rappers and the likes...I love em!
P: Maybe - I don't know, but I certainly don't find much in the way of good L.P.s I want to buy, but that’s true with most hip-hop nowadays. I think almost everyone seems to follow some kind of trend, and there’s little in the way of innovation but there is still some good stuff. Either way there’s too much good old shit I still haven’t heard for it to matter.

MBE - What about your live presence lately – is there a tour to promote the album?

A: So far we've just done a few gigs; one supporting Braintax and Mystro. Lately we've been busy recording and gigging with our Ska band - The Amnesiacs.
P: Gigs coming up with The Amnesaics, our ska band. Supporting Bad Manners and Neville Staples.

MBE - I imagine Pull Yer Pants Up goes down pretty well live - do you literally walk it like you talk it and rock snug fitting strides or is it a philosophy you only follow in the metaphorical sense?

A: I'm rocking the style that best fits the mood; and I am, at times, the most hypocritical of Pull Yer Pants Up chanters (my mum has been known to sing the chorus at me as a reminder). To me, the term's usage was more metaphorical - as in, shape yourself...stop being so shit. The whole ‘arse out’ aspect was minor in my thinking, though still, a social issue not to be sniffed at.
P: It’s adult pants worn sensibly all the way, I’m fed up of skaters, hip-hoppers and emos showing their arses and their undies. But I don't mind the fit birds who do it showing the thongs and that. Obviously that is socially acceptable.

MBE - Who in the band is the worst for having to do a pot-head check?

A: Erm...Thingy...Whatsisname...Phil. Definitely Phil.
P: Ash.

MBE - The last word is yours – anything you want to say?

A: "Do you know where the ‘off’ switch is?". Peace...
P: Fuck all! Laters...

RELATED LINKS
Listen to Random Era - The Searching Years
Random Era - Myspace
Listen to Go Wise Recordings
Monkeyboxing Empire review of The Searching Years LP
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