Random Dander

Wiping off the dander dust from a shelf one day while working a day job at a grocery store, Oke Chornick started repeating the phrase “Random Dander” and thought it would be the perfect name for the freewheeling, high energy vibe of her six piece (now four guys, two girls) band that’s become a dominant force in the Vancouver, BC area since 2011. 

Oke, the group’s powerhouse female drummer, did some online research and found that “dander,” which commonly means “lose one’s temper” or “material shed from the body of animals,” had unique colloquial meanings in different cultures: “pussy” in Australia, “going for a walk” in the UK. The provocative name stuck, allowing them to play whatever they want – from funk to folk, blues, jazz, reggae, psychedelic and hard rock. In their anything goes aesthetic, there’s even a little punk, surf and heavy metal in the mix. Using a “random” but extraordinary mix of instruments, including timbales and xylophone (played by Nicolas Mendonca) in addition to two guitars (James Kelly, Shane Hoy), bass and drums, this crazy cast of characters creates its own brand of raw, saucy, no holds barred rock and roll. 

Now with Pat Benatar/Janis Joplinesque female vocalist Jackie Lee stepping up to become their full time lead singer, Random Dander takes the vibe of their debut album First Delivery (which featured a male lead singer) to an explosive new level, creating something of a religious musical experience on their new eight song collection Second Cuming. The title is a sly reference to their Jesus lookalike bassist Luke Kokoszka (aka “Funky Geez”), whose tight and propulsive pocket groove with Oke’s drive sets the wild pace. Truly a “cuming out” party for the infectious new sound of the band, the album was produced by La Chinga/Spitfires drummer Jason Solyum. Key tracks include the blazingly fast, ironically titled “Smooth Moves,” whose witty lyrics (by Jackie) were inspired by the image of a broken wood carved Sylvester and Tweety windmill, running only on one leg; the hard-chugging, distorted guitar driven “Manna Stache,” whose offbeat title comes from reading a band’s name upside down; and the majestic rocker “How Ya Gonna,” about people who blame everyone for their own problems while pretending to be in control of their lives. 

As dynamic as Random Dander sounds on their studio recordings, it’s the live setting where they’re most at home, having a good time, bringing the high octane, soulful madness and keeping the crowd on its feet dancing all night. Exactly one year after performing their first live show, the group headlined the Columbia Valley Music Festival, rocking a two hour set of originals past 4am. They’ve been invited to play at local Canada Day and Jubilee celebrations and at local fundraisers in their hometown of Mission benefitting local food banks and other worthy causes. While occasionally holding court at the Captain’s Cabin, a local pub in Mission, they also headline regularly in Vancouver, everywhere from The Astoria and The Biltmore to The Railway Club and The Rickshaw Theatre. 

“Random Dander essentially started when Luke and I started jamming around town and our longtime musician friends started joining in on the fun,” says Oke. “We’re all good friends and love each other and the chemistry comes from that and just the fact that we’ve all known each other for so many years. I’ve known Jackie 22 years and used to babysit Shane when he was a kid! It’s a tight knit, mellow group, a little family that’s totally non judgmental when it comes to opening up to great new riffs and ideas. It’s fun to just get out there and play.”