Random Hold

Random Hold were a British rock band, active between 1977 and 1980.

The first line-up featured David Ferguson (keyboards) and David Rhodes (guitar and vocals), plus Simon Ainley (guitars and vocals), Bill MacCormick (bass) and David Leach (drums). After a handful of gigs and record label interest, the band signed to Polydor Records.

In late 1976, Dulwich College schoolmates David Ferguson (keyboards) and David Rhodes (guitar) formed a musical unit together, after attending a gig by the band 801, featuring Phil Manzanera (also a Dulwich College alumnus) and Brian Eno. The two Davids felt that 801 was too mainstream, underused the talents of its members, and that they could do better themselves. The duet initially bore the name "Manscheinen", playing in an experimental/electronic genre.

Another Dulwich alumnus, Simon Ainley (Eric Smith Explosion, 801), joined on guitar in April 1978, and then in August, so did another, Bill MacCormick on bass. MacCormick had a substantial musical pedigree, having played extensively with Quiet Sun, Matching Mole and 801. Their first drummer, the future business guru Andrew "Ernie" Wileman, formerly of Travelling Band, Pussy, The Storm In A Teacup Band, and Rothko (all bands well known on the legendary Dulwich and Lordship Lane circuit), left due to musical differences. After trying various replacement drummers and conducting endless auditions the band finally recruited David Leach.

The five piece line-up produced a very dark, post-punk sound, with vocal duties shared between the members. Their first major exposure in the music press was not to come until a December 1978 interview, and article by Allan Jones, in Melody Maker magazine. Increasingly frantic negotiations with many companies led to the band signing to Polydor Records for recording purposes on 19 March 1979. Separate contracts were made over the next two months for publishing with Tony Stratton-Smith's Hit and Run Music and for management with Gail Colson of Gailforce. After some exploration of the possibility of working with Peter Gabriel, Colson arranged for recording of Random Hold's first album to start in July 1979, produced by another Gailforce artist, Peter Hammill.

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