Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By The Hard-Ons, Cheersquad Records 2021.
Sydney punk band The Hard-Ons have undergone a transformation on their latest album with a new lead singer, Tim Rogers.
Yes that’s right, Tim Rogers from You Am I has joined the opposition!
But fans of You Am I needn’t worry because Tim is taking on the lead singer role in addition to his commitments to his many other projects.
He really is the antithesis of The Beatles Nowhere Man.
The Hard-Ons have been around for about 40 years churning out their frenzied interpretation of punkish garage rock and they have developed a dedicated fan base, including Tim Rogers.
Tim has known the Hard-Ons band members for many years but has been a fan for a lot longer.
He regularly watched them when he was young, bought their records and has loved them ever since.
So, when he heard they were after a lead singer he grabbed the opportunity to join his heroes.
Their first recorded output is the wonderfully titled album I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken and it’s an absolute cracker.
As Molly would say, you really should do yourself a favour and give it a spin.
It’s a brilliant blend of punkish energy and pop catchiness.
The album opens with the first single Hold Tight, which offers a great tearaway dive into twelve tracks that rarely takes the foot off the peddle.
The second single, Lite As A Feather, starts with a powerhouse crunching first half which leads to sing-along chorus before taking on a more melodic tone.
It’s an interesting reversal of the usual process.
Every track offers a variation on the punk theme.
There is so much vibrancy it’s hard to stand still while listening to it.
There’s influences from glam rock and metal riff motifs to thrash and beyond, stuffed into the blender and seasoned with a great big dollop of pop.
The injection of Tim Rogers into The Hard-Ons line-up is the cream on top.
He’s the perfect front man, great showman and one of the best voices in rock.
The album is available in digital, CD and vinyl formats from Bandcamp and other outlets.
