A recent double shot of Hard-Ons love, the new double-A sided single, In Falls Everything b/w Sling Shot, is an exciting dedication to the classic pub rock sounds that informed the band’s youth. Ray, Blackie and Murray are again joined by recently acquired lead vocalist, Tim Rogers, and the new incarnation continues to produce the best Hard-Ons’ music yet.
In Falls Everything sees the band dip deeply into the well of OzRock, that quintessential brand of hairy, shirtless, ‘70s & ‘80s riff-heavy tomfoolery made world-famous by the best exponents of the style, the inimitable AC/DC. But hearing the ex-You Am I frontman completely burn down the effigy of his once proudly inner-city consciousness is indeed a liberating experience, as Rogers snarls; “Big big balls, have a swing if you gottem, big big balls is what I got.” Well, quite. The riffs are big too. And dumb. But big and dumb has always been an acceptable way of rocking out.
Meanwhile, Sling Shot is a departure from their traditional sound, indulging in a shared love for glam rock (and yes, that is a tribute to Thin Lizzy’s famed dual guitar assault in the lead break). While the ridiculously fast-galloping lead riff drives everything along, the subdued sweeter-than-pie chorus belies the fact you are listening to one of the oldest Australian punk institutions still running. It’s a testament to the band’s versatility and willingness to explore different musical influences, at a stage in their careers where they have no point to prove.
Play the tracks HERE
