The Hard-Ons' origins are traced to Western Sydney's Punchbowl Boys High School, where three founding members were students. In 1981 the first version of the band, then-known as Dead Rats, included Peter "Blackie" Black on guitar, Brendan Creighton on drums and Shane Keish de Silva on guitar and vocals. In 1982 Creighton left to form Thrust and Raymond Dongwan Ahn joined on bass guitar with de Silva taking over on drums, the group began playing as The Plebs before being renamed as The Hard-Ons by the end of the year.
Initially being too young to play in pubs, the band featured at birthday parties and school dances. On 20 June 1984, The Hard-Ons played their first official show at the Vulcan Hotel in Ultimo. Black later recalled "We wanted to be punk rockers ... We didn't want Keish's parents to see so we had bags full of these jackets and chains and stuff and went around the corner of the street and put all these clothes on. Keish's dad busted us". Quickly gaining a considerable following, in August 1985 the band released its debut EP, 'Surfin' On My Face', on ViNil Records. This was the beginning of a series of releases for the band that netted them a run of 17 consecutive #1 listings on the Australian alternative music charts. Their debut album 'Smell My Finger' was released in 1986 on Waterfront Records.
The band demonstrated an independent punk spirit, with the members deliberately controlling their own careers: recording, booking and promoting themselves, creating their own artwork (mostly by Ahn), choosing support bands and even managing the merchandise stand whilst on tour. During 1987 the group were promoted as part of the Australian skate boarding scene. While maintaining a solid if underground following in Australia, The Hard-Ons were popular in Europe, scoring a Top 10 hit in Spain and a Top 5 slot in Greece with their 1989 album, 'Love is a Battlefield of Wounded Hearts'. It also reached the Top 5 on the NME chart; this made The Hard-Ons the third Australian band after Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and the Go Betweens to do so.
In 2012, the band began re-issuing their early catalogue as bonus re-packagings featuring unreleased songs and live tracks. The first to be released was a new 60-track version of 'Smell My Finger' and The Hard-Ons promoted it with a national tour. While working a shift as a taxi driver between legs of that tour on 18 May 2012, Black suffered a severely fractured skull when he was assaulted with a skateboard. Several fund-raising shows were held to raise money for his care and recovery, including special Hard-Ons shows in Sydney and Newcastle on 1 and 2 June that featured the line-up of Ahn, Kostic and de Silva on vocals and guitar. Within three months, Black had recovered sufficiently to perform a short tour in support of his solo album 'No Dangerous Goods in Tunnel' that was followed by a Hard-Ons tour of Europe and Japan. Another Australian tour to wrap up the previously cancelled shows was completed in October, with a 51-track re-release of 'Dickcheese' coming out around the same time.
Keish de Silva was removed from the Hard-Ons in March 2021 following allegations of sexual misconduct. A planned documentary on the band was also cancelled. In August 2021, it was announced that Tim Rogers (ex-You Am I) was the group's new lead singer. The band's thirteenth studio album was released on 8 October 2021, titled 'I'm Sorry Sir, That Riff's Been Taken'. The album debuted at #4 on the ARIA charts, becoming the band's first to enter the ARIA top 50. In April 2023, the band announced a new album entitled 'Ripper '23' and an accompanying Australian tour.
Members
Peter "Blackie" Black (guitar, vocals), Ray Ahn (bass), Keish de Silva (vocals, drums), Pete Kostic (drums), Murray Ruse (drums), Tim Rogers (vocals/guitar)
SINGLES
'No Cheese (The High-Way to Hell Tour Souvenir)' 1988 Waterfront
'Sick of Being Sick' 1989 Waterfront
'Where the Wild Things Are' 1992 Waterfront
'Dateless Dudes' Club!' (#78) 1992 Waterfront
'Test' 1994 Waterfront
'Yesterday and Today' 1999 One Way Street Records
'Split!' 2002
'Pay Attention Collector Scum' 2008 Stiff Records
'American Exports' [with Neil Hamburger] 2009 Red Lounge Records
'Split' 2010
'Shit-Pants-Shit-Pants' 2011 The Cool Bananas Record Company
ALBUMS
'Smell My Finger' 1986 Waterfront
'Dickcheese' 1988 Waterfront
'Love Is a Battlefield of Wounded Hearts' 1989 Waterfront
'Yummy!' (#93)1990 Waterfront
'Too Far Gone' 1993 Waterfront
'This Terrible Place' 2000 Chatterbox
'Very Exciting!' 2003 Chatterbox
'Most People Are a Waste of Time' 2006 Chatterbox
'Most People Are Nicer Than Us' 2007 Chatterbox
The band demonstrated an independent punk spirit, with the members deliberately controlling their own careers: recording, booking and promoting themselves, creating their own artwork (mostly by Ahn), choosing support bands and even managing the merchandise stand whilst on tour. During 1987 the group were promoted as part of the Australian skate boarding scene. While maintaining a solid if underground following in Australia, The Hard-Ons were popular in Europe, scoring a Top 10 hit in Spain and a Top 5 slot in Greece with their 1989 album, 'Love is a Battlefield of Wounded Hearts'. It also reached the Top 5 on the NME chart; this made The Hard-Ons the third Australian band after Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and the Go Betweens to do so.
In 1989 the group recorded a split EP with British band The Stupids. Two years later they teamed up with Henry Rollins and released a cover version of AC/DC's hit, "Let There Be Rock", which was released in a limited edition on 10" vinyl. In January 1992 the group performed at the inaugural Big Day Out and were joined on-stage by Rollins on four songs. Following the release of 1993's album, 'Too Far Gone', and after recording a live album for Your Choice Records, the band announced their breakup, to pursue projects outside The Hard-Ons' style of music: "after more than ten years of playing the same songs, they were just not interested in doing so anymore".
During the break-up of The Hard-Ons, Ahn and Black formed another punk band, Nunchukka Superfly, with Joel Ellis on drums; while de Silva created Malibu Stacey. Nunchukka Superfly released their debut, self-titled album in 1999. Black compared Nunchukka Superfly with The Hard-Ons as "a much heavier and experimental outfit, citing psychedelic, avant-garde, progressive rock, free jazz, funk and dub among the usual inspirations of punk and post-punk".
In October 1997, The Hard-Ons played a reunion gig which was followed by the release of a new EP, 'Yesterday and Today', in 1998 and a compilation album, 'The Best Of' in 1999. In August 2001, ABC TV broadcast the rock music series, Long Way to the Top. The Hard-Ons featured on "Episode 6: Gathering of the Tribes 1984–2000" where they were described as "an eclectic band of misfits that took up where punk had left off in the early 80s. Their challenge was to make that sound relevant and exciting in the 1990s. There was nothing left but to get downright offensive".
Following 'This Terrible Place' in 2000 (their first album for Chatterbox Records), the band's first line-up change in twenty years occurred, with de Silva deciding to leave the band during 2001. Black took up full-time vocals and Pete Kostic (ex-Front End Loader, Regurgitator) was brought in on drums. In 2002 The Hard-Ons and Boom Boom Kid issued a shared EP, 'Split!'. In 2005, the 21st anniversary of the band's first pub gig was celebrated by Australian and European tours as a four-piece, with Kostic drumming and de Silva on vocals. Although technically a three-piece band, de Silva maintained a close relationship with his old band. Recordings were made in 2006 with contributions from all four – though primarily Black, Ahn and Kostic – with the intention of releasing a double album. 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 recorded with United States comedian Neil Hamburger on guest lead vocals in January 2008. In April 2011, the group announced via their website that Kostic had left. On 5 August that year Murray Ruse (ex-Conation, Captain Cleanoff) played his first show as their new drummer.
During the break-up of The Hard-Ons, Ahn and Black formed another punk band, Nunchukka Superfly, with Joel Ellis on drums; while de Silva created Malibu Stacey. Nunchukka Superfly released their debut, self-titled album in 1999. Black compared Nunchukka Superfly with The Hard-Ons as "a much heavier and experimental outfit, citing psychedelic, avant-garde, progressive rock, free jazz, funk and dub among the usual inspirations of punk and post-punk".
In October 1997, The Hard-Ons played a reunion gig which was followed by the release of a new EP, 'Yesterday and Today', in 1998 and a compilation album, 'The Best Of' in 1999. In August 2001, ABC TV broadcast the rock music series, Long Way to the Top. The Hard-Ons featured on "Episode 6: Gathering of the Tribes 1984–2000" where they were described as "an eclectic band of misfits that took up where punk had left off in the early 80s. Their challenge was to make that sound relevant and exciting in the 1990s. There was nothing left but to get downright offensive".
Following 'This Terrible Place' in 2000 (their first album for Chatterbox Records), the band's first line-up change in twenty years occurred, with de Silva deciding to leave the band during 2001. Black took up full-time vocals and Pete Kostic (ex-Front End Loader, Regurgitator) was brought in on drums. In 2002 The Hard-Ons and Boom Boom Kid issued a shared EP, 'Split!'. In 2005, the 21st anniversary of the band's first pub gig was celebrated by Australian and European tours as a four-piece, with Kostic drumming and de Silva on vocals. Although technically a three-piece band, de Silva maintained a close relationship with his old band. Recordings were made in 2006 with contributions from all four – though primarily Black, Ahn and Kostic – with the intention of releasing a double album. 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 recorded with United States comedian Neil Hamburger on guest lead vocals in January 2008. In April 2011, the group announced via their website that Kostic had left. On 5 August that year Murray Ruse (ex-Conation, Captain Cleanoff) played his first show as their new drummer.
In 2012, the band began re-issuing their early catalogue as bonus re-packagings featuring unreleased songs and live tracks. The first to be released was a new 60-track version of 'Smell My Finger' and The Hard-Ons promoted it with a national tour. While working a shift as a taxi driver between legs of that tour on 18 May 2012, Black suffered a severely fractured skull when he was assaulted with a skateboard. Several fund-raising shows were held to raise money for his care and recovery, including special Hard-Ons shows in Sydney and Newcastle on 1 and 2 June that featured the line-up of Ahn, Kostic and de Silva on vocals and guitar. Within three months, Black had recovered sufficiently to perform a short tour in support of his solo album 'No Dangerous Goods in Tunnel' that was followed by a Hard-Ons tour of Europe and Japan. Another Australian tour to wrap up the previously cancelled shows was completed in October, with a 51-track re-release of 'Dickcheese' coming out around the same time.
Keish de Silva was removed from the Hard-Ons in March 2021 following allegations of sexual misconduct. A planned documentary on the band was also cancelled. In August 2021, it was announced that Tim Rogers (ex-You Am I) was the group's new lead singer. The band's thirteenth studio album was released on 8 October 2021, titled 'I'm Sorry Sir, That Riff's Been Taken'. The album debuted at #4 on the ARIA charts, becoming the band's first to enter the ARIA top 50. In April 2023, the band announced a new album entitled 'Ripper '23' and an accompanying Australian tour.
Members
Peter "Blackie" Black (guitar, vocals), Ray Ahn (bass), Keish de Silva (vocals, drums), Pete Kostic (drums), Murray Ruse (drums), Tim Rogers (vocals/guitar)
''By My Side / I'll Come Again'' 1984 Livin' End
''The Girl In The Sweater / I Heard Her Call My Name'' 1986 Waterfront
''Ferdi's Song / All Set To Go'' 1987 Waterfront
''Busted / Suck 'N' Swallow'' 1988 Waterfront
''Just Being With You / Growing Old'' 1989 Waterfront
''Where Did She Come From? / Out Of My House'' 1990 Waterfront
''Dull / Sri Lanka'' 1991 Waterfront
''Sorry (#51) / Lose It'' 1992 Festival
''Darth Vader Pretends'' 2014 Unbelievably Bad Zine
''The Girl In The Sweater / I Heard Her Call My Name'' 1986 Waterfront
''Ferdi's Song / All Set To Go'' 1987 Waterfront
''Busted / Suck 'N' Swallow'' 1988 Waterfront
''Just Being With You / Growing Old'' 1989 Waterfront
''Where Did She Come From? / Out Of My House'' 1990 Waterfront
''Dull / Sri Lanka'' 1991 Waterfront
''Sorry (#51) / Lose It'' 1992 Festival
''Darth Vader Pretends'' 2014 Unbelievably Bad Zine
EPs
'Surfin' on My Face' 1985 ViNil 'No Cheese (The High-Way to Hell Tour Souvenir)' 1988 Waterfront
'Sick of Being Sick' 1989 Waterfront
'Where the Wild Things Are' 1992 Waterfront
'Dateless Dudes' Club!' (#78) 1992 Waterfront
'Test' 1994 Waterfront
'Yesterday and Today' 1999 One Way Street Records
'Split!' 2002
'Pay Attention Collector Scum' 2008 Stiff Records
'American Exports' [with Neil Hamburger] 2009 Red Lounge Records
'Split' 2010
'Shit-Pants-Shit-Pants' 2011 The Cool Bananas Record Company
ALBUMS
'Smell My Finger' 1986 Waterfront
'Dickcheese' 1988 Waterfront
'Love Is a Battlefield of Wounded Hearts' 1989 Waterfront
'Yummy!' (#93)1990 Waterfront
'Too Far Gone' 1993 Waterfront
'This Terrible Place' 2000 Chatterbox
'Very Exciting!' 2003 Chatterbox
'Most People Are a Waste of Time' 2006 Chatterbox
'Most People Are Nicer Than Us' 2007 Chatterbox
'Alfalfa Males Once Summer Is Done Conform or Die' 2010 The Cool Bananas Record Company
'Peel me like a Egg' 2014 Citadel
'So I Could Have Them Destroyed' 2019 Music Farmers
'I'm Sorry Sir, That Riff's Been Taken' (#4) 2021 Cheersquad
'Ripper '23' 2023 Cheersquad
'Peel me like a Egg' 2014 Citadel
'So I Could Have Them Destroyed' 2019 Music Farmers
'I'm Sorry Sir, That Riff's Been Taken' (#4) 2021 Cheersquad
'Ripper '23' 2023 Cheersquad
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard-Ons
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard-Ons
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