The Hard-Ons are bringing their Ripper ’23 tour to the Bridge Hotel this June following the release of their 14th studio album – the first made from start to finish with the band’s newest member, front-man for You Am I, and solo artist Tim Rogers.
Tim told the Mail that he has been a fan of the Hard-Ons since his teens and they were the first band he travelled to see in his teens.
“They were my heroes then and continue to be,” commented Tim.
“It was a massive surprise when they asked me to join them. They are admirable people and very gracious to their fans.
“I don’t think I’ve got a punk bone in my body but they have consistently been one of my favourites. The guys from the band are some of the smartest people I know. I enjoy their wonderfully adolescent perverse sense of humour. Just because something is silly doesn’t mean it’s dumb. We share a lot in common, musical tastes and sense of humour. The rest sorts itself out,” said Tim.
“Performing at 53 is more fun, you’ve got nothing to lose. I’m closer to the grave than the cradle. The band is very high energy – it doesn’t make medical sense in your ’50s but if you love what you do it gives you oxygen.”
Now residing in central Victoria, Tim continues to advance his solo career, performs with You Am I, and appears in more than 100 shows each year. Dealing with panic attacks is an ongoing issue for the performer and he talked to the Mail about the importance of dealing with them in a calm way.
“On stage is the safest place to be and doing something physical like that really helps. I’m good at recognising when I’m in the zone, not looking after the noggin and pushing myself too hard.”
The band have just returned from their European tour following the success of their last album I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken, where Tim was joined by his 22-year-old daughter Ruby.
“She sold merch with the Hard-Ons while we were touring. It was wonderful being on the road with her and she’s very good at it. She’s an excellent musician herself so she’s very adept at it.
“The audience from the Europe tour was a real mix, some had first seen the band in the late 80s and others were kids. The Australian tour last year was the same.”
The Hard-Ons specialising in fast, loud, and tuneful punk rock with strong melodic hooks that balanced out their fondness for rude adolescent humour, often rooted in sex and bodily functions (They once described their approach as ‘Motörhead playing the Beach Boys’) will be appearing at the Bridge Hotel, 21 Walker Street Castlemaine on Sunday, June 25 supported by Boom Boom Kids. Tickets are available at: thebridgehotel.oztix.com.au.