SMELL MY FINGER - DELUXE HARD-ONS RE-ISSUES ROLL OUT
The Hard-Ons might be one of the most unlikely rock'n'roll bands to reach hero status in Australia and elsewhere. Originating from the underprivileged Sydney suburb of Punchbowl, this multi-racial trio of high-school kids firstly stormed local parties. Sydney's underground live music scene thereafter succumbed, quickly followed by its Australian equivalent. Then finally, the underground rock'n'roll stages of the world.How was this possible? From all angles The Hard-Ons were doomed and headed for obscurity. They collectively hated fashion and fads – the two fulcrums upon which many bands' fortunes turn; they deliberately chose to alienate potential fans and rock critics alike with their irreverent, scathing and divisive imagery and 'humour'; they played at what was then considered unthinkable volume and velocity.
But on closer inspection, the Hard-Ons could not fail. Armed with a care-free, nothing-to-lose attitude, the band showcased a uniquely localized yet global sound and image. They were utterly Australian yet so utterly unique. Inspired by their hero counterparts from bygone eras, The Easybeats, The Saints and the like, The Hard-Ons showed the world that an unassuming rabble of immigrants could make the world's music underground fall in love with them and their stockpile of simply GREAT TUNES.
Citadel Records is proud to announce a five part reissue series The Hard-Ons - A Decade Of Rock. This definitive body of work will present the entire official recorded output of The Hard-Ons' first ten years of existence with a new reissue every three to four months.
Smell My Finger debuts the series. Spanning the years 1984 – 1987, it contains all of the band's early 7 inch releases and the two 12 inch album releases Smell My Finger and Hot For Your Love, Baby. Every officially released Hard-Ons' tune from the period, down to the most obscure compilation track, has been included. Adding interest to the mix is some bizarre and fascinating live documentation from salvaged party tapes and desk recordings. These highlight a head-turning mixture of punk, metal, glam, hard-rock, 60's garage, psychedelia, girl-group sounds, power-pop, bubblegum and thrash influences.
The Hard-Ons were an unexpected breath of fresh air when compared to the paisley, winkle-picker wearing garage and the leather-and-studs punk scenes that flourished in Sydney during the mid Eighties. Furious and unpredictable live shows, coupled with brilliantly vibrant recorded output, made for an irresistible knockout punch. The timeless tracks found on Smell My Finger are clear evidence of how a fearless band of teenagers left a lasting and indelible mark as they triumphed over Sydney's indie music scenes before moving out into and ultimately conquering a bigger world.
Smell My Finger is simply a MUST for fans and curious onlookers alike! Housed in a six panel gatefold deluxe sleeve, this two disc compilation encompasses 150 minutes of music delivered via exactly 60 songs. Included is a 32 page booklet featuring restored artwork, liner-notes from all three original members and original manager Tim Pittman, unpublished personal photographs and the like. Very tasty!
Buy the album here.
The Hard-Ons will be taking their live show around Australia, Europe and Japan to promote Smell My Finger. Explosive, funny and action-packed, these shows are guaranteed to blow everyone's ears and eyes.TOUR DATES:
May 3rd: Toowoomba - Spotted Cow (QLD)
May 4th: Caloundra - Kings Beach Tavern (QLD)
May 5th: Gold Coast - Shark Bar (QLD)
May 6th: Brisbane - "Nundah Punkfest" - Prince Of Wales (QLD)
May 11th: Perth - The Civic (WA)
May 12th: Bunbury - Prince of Wales (WA)
May 13th: Scarborough - Indi Bar (WA)
June 1st: Sydney - Annandale Hotel (NSW)
June 2nd: Newcastle - Great Northern (NSW)
June 7th: Geelong - National Hotel (VIC)
Jun 8th: Ballarat - Karova Lounge (VIC)
June 9th: Melbourne - The Tote (VIC)
June 10th: Adelaide - Enigma Bar (SA)
June 15th: Launceston - Hotel New York (TAS)
June 16th: Hobart - Brisbane Hotel (TAS)
SONNY VINCENT ON LONG US TOUR
Don't say you haven't been warned: '77 Punk Legend Sonny Vincent (Testors) is going on tour in May with his new band The Bad Reactions featuring members of Carbonas/Ex Humans/Beat Beat Beat/Sorrows. Sonny has a Testors single to be released on Windian for Record Store day and a solo album in the works. He will be playing both solo and Testors material. For booking please email and you can check out the Facebook event here.
SPEND AN EVENING WITH PAUL COLLINS
Legendary New York City guitarist pop singer/songwriter Paul Collins will return to Australia for a one-off series of gigs in Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart in May, 2012.
Collins' greatest claim to fame is perhaps his collaboration in the creation of the song Hangin' On The Telephone, originally recorded by his seminal 70's pop band The Nerves, then later covered by Blondie to become their global breakthrough hit.
Collins continued his notoriety by playing in The Breakaways before forming The Beat (or the American Beat as they were known in the '80s) and releasing the formidable power pop albums To Beat Or Not To Beat and The Kids Are The Same. Those releases are still noted today as the power pop album templates from that era. Collins has continued to ply his trade over the decades touring in the US and Europe with a successful underground reputation.
The live set for the Australian visit will be an across the board selection from three bands and a solo career from 18recorded albums, including songs such as Walkin' Out on Love, Rock'n'Roll Girl, Hangin' On The Telephone and the Australia top 20 chart hit, A Different Kind Of Girl, performed with his Australian pick-up band, The On And Ons (previously known as Sydney-based group, The Zeros) featuring guitarist Glenn Morris (Kings Of The Sun/Screaming Tribesmen).
Colllins' dedicated Fender Strat style and power pop guitar sound, his iconic vocal rasps combined with his keen sense of intuitive songwriting is the backdrop for a great live rock show that will get your feet tapping, your fingers clicking and your melodic memory saying 'haven't I heard this somewhere before?'
The shows will begin with some acoustic tunes and an intimate ramble of amazing rock stories about Collins' times in the scene and on the road. The intimate start to the show is an individual and personalised approach, where Paul tells his unique stories with a candour described as honest and mesmerising. Using inspiration from his humour-filled fictional autobiography,8 Million Stories: Pete The Fly, the start of the show is a revealing look at the man behind the American Beat.
Collins will then be joined by his band to tear the house down with some classic rock tunes. Many punters who have previously seen him claim that Collins has never sounded better. Some things are like a good wine after all.
A special four-track EP, mostly recorded in Australia, will be available as a ticketing bonus to all pre-sales for the shows (first 50 internet ticket buyers in each city).
Tickets available through Zombie Dog EntertainmentFri 11th May Brisbane Hotel Hobart
+ Pines
+ Richard Lane (Stems) & Glenn Morris (Screaming Tribesmen)
Tickets here.Sat 12th May The Tote Melbourne
+ Wolfy & The Bat Cubs
+ Richard Lane (Stems) & Glenn Morris (Screaming Tribesmen)
Tickets here.Sun 13th May Caravan Club Melbourne
+ Wolfy & The Bat Cubs
+ Richard Lane (Stems) & Glenn Morris (Screaming Tribesmen)
Tickets here.Sat 19th May Sandringham Hotel Sydney
+ Southern Preachers
+ Mick Medew (Screaming Tribesmen) + Richard Lane (The Stems) & Glenn Morris (Screaming Tribesmen)
Tickets here.
