Hard-Ons

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The Hard-Ons are a punk rock band from Sydney, Australia that formed in 1982. They have been called[citation needed] Australia's most commercially successful independent band, with over 250,000 total record sales. [1]

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] 1980s: Early days

The Hard-Ons' origins can be traced to Western Sydney's Punchbowl Boys High School, where all three band members were students. The multicultural trio of drummer/vocalist Keish De Silva (of Sri Lankan descent), guitar/vocals Blackie (Yugoslavian heritage) and bassist Ray Ahn (Korean ancestry) were initially too young to play gigs in pubs, but honed their skills playing at parties and school dances. After all turning 18 years old, the band made its first 'proper' live debut in June 1984 at Ultimo's Vulcan hotel. [2] Quickly gaining a considerable following, the band released its debut EP (Surfin On My Face) the following year.

Subsequent recordings like Smell My Finger, Dickcheese, Love Is A Battlefield Of Wounded Hearts and Yummy! were well-received by fans and set the blueprint for the 'Hard-Ons sound': messy pop-punk with metal and psychedelia elements. The band also showed their independent punk spirit, with the members deliberately controlling their own careers: recording, booking and promoting themselves, creating their own artwork, choosing support bands and even managing the merchandise desk whilst on tour. These unconventional decisions, combined with songwriting talents, powerful live performances and a healthy sense of humour earned the band a large following in Europe as well as their native Australia.


[edit] 1990s: Split and reformation

Following the release of 1994's Too Far Gone, the band members announced that they were breaking up, with an interest in pursuing projects outside the Hard-Ons' style of music. This break was interrupted by a 'reunion' gig in October 1997, which was followed by the release of a new EP (Yesterday And Today) and a Best Of compilation. Following This Terrible Place... in 2000, the band's first line-up change occurred, with charismatic drummer and singer Keish deciding to leave the band. To accommodate this, guitarist Blackie took up full-time vocals with the group and Front End Loader/Regurgitator drummer Pete Kostic was brought into the line-up. This new trio released Very Exciting! in 2003.

[edit] Musical Style

A 1987 BEAT Magazine article described the Hard-Ons' sound as "Motörhead meets the Beach Boys" [3]; a quote that goes some way towards describing the band's take on the punk rock genre. Though originally inspired by punk bands such as Sex Pistols, The Buzzcocks, The Damned, Ramones and The Saints [4], the band also blended pop, psychedelia and metal elements; "death-pop" as once described by Ray Ahn. [5] The band were also noteworthy not only within punk, but also within rock music for having their lead vocals handled by Keish, the group's drummer. The physical challenge of drumming to the band's fast punk rock songs as well as singing (as opposed to shouting) made for charismatic live performances. Guitarist Blackie provides another original touch to the band with his guitar playing. Backed by Ray Ahn's bass playing, Blackie's guitar solos have a distinctive sound which is both melodic and messy, often making use of feedback.

Major recurring lyrical themes range from girls, love and relationships (e.g.: "I Do I Do I Do", "Just Being With You", "Girl in the Sweater") to toilet humour ("I Farted", "Oozin' for Pleasure") as well as other variations, particularly in the post-Keish line-up of the band.

[edit] Fan reaction

Although not as widely known as some classic punk and independent bands, the Hard-Ons have carved a notch into the world of punk rock and have assembled a cult following of fans worldwide. They are also said to be Australia's most successful independent band ever, with over 250,000 records sold worldwide and 17 consecutive number one hits on the Australian alternative charts, their popularity far outstretches the shores of Australia with cult following especially in Europe and at one time a UK cover band known as Suck n Swallow. [6] The band have a number of prominent fans such as Jello Biafra and Henry Rollins (who they recorded the AC/DC cover Let There Be Rock with in 1991), as well as having toured with The Ramones, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Butthole Surfers, as well as countless other bands. [7]

[edit] The future

In 2005 the 21st anniversary of the band's first pub gig was celebrated by an Australian and European tour as a four-piece, with Pete drumming and Keish front stage, centre on vocals. Although technically still a three-piece band, it is clear that Keish De Silva still shares a close relationship with his old band. Recordings were made in 2006 with contributions from all four band members (though primarily Blackie, Ray and Pete), with the intention of releasing a double album of material. This project was eventually released as two separate albums: the 'poppier' Most People Are a Waste of Time (2006) and the 'heavier' Most People Are Nicer Than Us (2007), with subsequent tours around Australia.

The band reportedly recorded a record with U.S. comedian Neil Hamburger on guest lead vocals in January, 2008.

[edit] Band members

  • Keish De Silva - vocals, drums (1982-2001)
  • Peter "Blackie" Black - guitar, vocals
  • Ray Ahn - bass guitar
  • Pete Kostic - drums (2002 - present)

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

  • Smell My Finger (1986)
  • Hard-Ons (1987)
  • Hot For Your Love Baby (1987)
  • Worst Of... (1987)
  • Dickcheese (1988)
  • No Cheese (1988) (Split 10" with UK's "The Stupids")
  • Love Is A Battlefield Of Wounded Hearts (1989)
  • Yummy! (1991)
  • Dateless Dudes Club (1992)
  • Too Far Gone (1993)
  • Your Choice Live Series (1995) (Your Choice Records)
  • This Terrible Place... (2000)
  • Very Exciting! (2003)
  • Most People Are A Waste Of Time (2006)
  • Most People Are Nicer Than Us (2007)

[edit] EPs

  • Surfin' On My Face (1985)
  • Test (1994)
  • Yesterday & Today (1999)

[edit] Singles

  • Girl in the Sweater (1986)
  • By My Side/I'll Come Again (Livin' End Flexidisc)
  • All Set to Go (1987)
  • Busted b/w Suck n' Swallow (1987)
  • Just Being With You (1988)
  • Sick Of Being Sick (1989) (free giveaway)
  • Been Had Before (Demo) (Vinyl Solution Giveaway)
  • Where Did She Come From? (1990)
  • Dull (1991)
  • Let There Be Rock (1991) (with Henry Rollins)
  • Love Hurts (Munster Magazine Giveaway)
  • She's A Dish (1992)
  • Crazy Crazy Eyes (1993)
  • You Disappointed Me (1999) (Germany)
  • Shark's Head (1999) (Spain)
  • Sunny/Scared Of It All (Europe Promo)
  • There Goes One Of The Creeps That Hassled My Girlfriend (2005)

[edit] Compilations

[edit] References

[edit] External links