The Hard-Ons kicked off their I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken tour – their first tour with new singer Tim Rogers – in March, only to hit a Covid hurdle after the first three shows. After the seemingly inevitable stop and start, the band is set to complete the tour with four shows in West Australia in August.
Local support acts for the WA dates have just been announced and include appearances from power grungers Seawitch (featuring old mates Fiona Horne from Waterfront label mates The Mothers – and Def FX – and Dave Hopkins from The Hellmen); short-fast-loud-chaotic punkers Leeches, and Leeches guitarist Benny Ward’s great power pop band the Rinehearts; old-school-skateboarders-playing skate-punk Ocean Drive; high energy rock’n’rollers The Secret Buttons, and all-female punks The Shakeys
Thu Aug 4 – The Prince, Bunbury + Leeches + Ocean Drive – TIX
Fri Aug 5 – Amplifier. Perth + Seawitch + Leeches – TIX
Sat Aug 6 – Indian Ocean Hotel, Scarborough + Seawitch + The Secret Buttons – TIX
Sun Aug 7 – Mojo’s, Fremantle + Rinehearts + The Shakeys – TIX
The WA dates follow the band’s recent AIR Awards ‘Best Independent Rock Album Award’ nomination for I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken, and the group’s much-viewed surprise APRA Awards performance of “Know Your Product” in tribute to The Saints’ Chris Bailey.
And reviews of the tour so far have been great:
“The energy this band presents is incredible, and Rogers’ adds a new progressive vocal element and a tambourine and handclaps at times…I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen The Hard-Ons, and they are amazing every time. A great night.” – Punktuation
“Sporting new front man Tim Rogers on vocals, Blackie, Ray and Murray exploded into their signature pedal to the metal thrash punk rock from the get go… There was a bit of back and forth banter, but they were clearly here to do a job – and that was to blow the roof off the Factory – which they proceeded to do… the Hard-Ons are still the Hard-Ons.” – Searching for the Brown Note
“Long story short – I’m still reeling. The Hard-Ons have crossed the Rubicon and what they’re doing in Australia is anyone’s guess. Right now they should be out slaying the world, Europe then USA, then South America… I’ve seen this outfit several times over the years (with a bunch of gaps between) and … this is their most impressive incarnation. The maturity, the simplicity of the songs, the power … all this goes to waste if you don’t have a brilliant front-man.” – I-94Bar
