I'm Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken, by The Hard-Ons

I'm Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken

by The Hard-Ons

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Gavin Turner An instant classic. What else is there to say?

ediesh loving lite as a feather

ScottyPeace Ive just ordered the white version and will leave a more in-depth comment after listening to the album as they're meant to to be listened to... on vinyl! A first quick flip through on here has me drooling though 😁

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Cassette + Digital Album
And just like that, Cheersquad Records & Tapes release their first cassette tape, and it's no other than the mighty Hard-Ons. ‘I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken’ has stormed the chart, and is running out the stores. As the first very limited run of 50 cassettes is nearly gone, we have decided to add another 50.

All tracks will be added to your digital Bandcamp collection.

Includes unlimited streaming of I'm Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 7 days

edition of 100

$20 AUD or more
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Seeing as all the coloured vinyl of The Hard-Ons' 'I'm Sorry Sir, That Riff's Been Taken’ has run out, the band has decided to add a special 'dandruff white’ version. This 'dandruff white’ vinyl edition is limited to 200 copies only. As we’ve already sold out of the orange and blue vinyl, don’t dillydally ordering your copy of ‘dandruff white’!

All vinyl comes with a digital download code and tracks are added to your Bandcamp collection right now.

Includes unlimited streaming of I'm Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 7 days

edition of 200

$40 AUD or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Compact Disc

Includes unlimited streaming of I'm Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 7 days

$20 AUD or more
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
All vinyl comes with a digital download code and all tracks will be added to your Bandcamp collection right now.

Includes unlimited streaming of I'm Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 7 days

$35 AUD or more
Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

$17 AUD or more
Translucent, orange vinyl
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
This translucent, orange version is limited to 300 copies only! All vinyl comes with a digital download code and will also be added to your Bandcamp collection on release day.

Includes unlimited streaming of I'm Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Sold Out
Limited edition, blue vinyl
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
There will only be 200 copies of this limited edition, blue vinyl! All vinyl comes with a digital download code and will also be added to your Bandcamp collection on release day.

Includes unlimited streaming of I'm Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Sold Out

1.	Hold Tight 02:42	lyrics	buy track
Hold, hold tight to me Never, never, never let go of me Never, never, never let go of me Hold tight Crane my neck the whole sky I see But the brightest star standing next to me I've got the brightest star, and she's standing next to me I've got the brightest star, and she's standing next to me Never, never, never let go until it's done Then catch me like you'd catch a fallen star Never, never, never let go until it's done Then catch me like you'd catch a fallen star There are times when ya gotta be patient with me My manners can slip so carelessly My manners can slip so carelessly Hold tight But when I goof off, goof off with me I was made for you - you were made for me I was made for you - you were made for me I was made for you, and you were made for me Never, never, never let go until it's done Then catch me like you'd catch a fallen star Never, never, never let go until it's done Then catch me like you'd catch a fallen star Catch me like you'd catch a fallen star
2.	Fucked up Party 02:26	lyrics	buy track
This is such a fucked up party This ain't my idea of fun Being here's such a chore Each and every guest a bore This is such a fucked up party I feel I'm stuck in Wynyard dunny All I wanna do is hide If I can't run, surely I could hide Oh no, oh no, oh no Can't wait till the night is over Can't wait till the night is done I'm dying to grab my coat I'm dying to catch that cab Can't wait till the night is over Can’t wait till it's all and done Am I the only one not pissed? Whose breath doesn’t smell like shit? Oh no, oh no, oh no Oh no, oh no, oh no Oh god please, please don't sit next to me Dear please god, please don't sit next to me Noooo, woo hoo hoo Good god, bad breath, please don't sit next to me Good god, bad breath, please don't sit next to me Noooo, woo hoo hoo It’s obvious to see The blame all rests with me Why did I come? Why did I come? There’s no this or that No hands tied up my back Why did I come? Why did I come? Come. Let’s go! Yeah! This is such a fucked up party This ain't my idea of fun Every hour seems to drag Every conversation such a nag Can't wait till the night is over Can't wait till the night is done So where the hell’s my coat And where the fuck’s my cab Oh no, oh no, oh no Extra :-) What the fuck's in this dip? Who decorated this shit? So hard to be polite Not start a single fight
3.	Pucker Up 02:16	lyrics	buy track
Ah, you didn't believe me when I said I'm tired You didn’t believe me when I said it’s rigged Oh, squashed in here, I feel so tight You stole my arms So we got a lost soul, or we got a little crawling Got a lost soul, or is it out of reach? I wanna kiss so get ready, pucker up. Muah. Why don't, why don’t the girl don't sing And it never gets far Now we're over here, and it’s not that good Now we're over here, and it’s not that good Well hey, hey, hey, I, I feel Well hey, hey, hey, I feel I feel, and it never got me far I feel, and it never got me far
4.	Lite as a Feather 03:00	lyrics	buy track
Shit sandwich fell, deli counter to the floor Out popped the filling, hard-boiled egg and some slaw In ran a pooch, lightning bolts through the door Out went my lunch, clamped tightly in its jaw You’ve got the weight of the whole world resting on your shoulders You’ve got the weight of the whole world resting on your shoulders Lucky that you've got a strong back Lucky that you've got a strong back Yeah, I've never burst, never broke at the seams Never over friendly and certainly never mean Shoelaces slap against my calves in the rain Gotta find my lunch. Gotta find my last eight bucks You've got the weight of the whole world resting on your shoulders You've got the weight of the whole world resting on your shoulders Well, you’re as light as a feather You’re as light as a butterfly Lovely little butterfly Couldn't wish for more Well, you’re as light as a feather You’re as light as a butterfly Lovely little butterfly Couldn't wish for more When I find the pooch, my sandwich is no more But look at his eyes as he raises his paw I think I’ll take you home, and I'll feed you some more I think I'll take you home, and I'll feed us both some more But you’re as light as a feather A butterfly You’re as light as a feather You’re as light as a butterfly Lovely little butterfly Couldn't wish for more You’re as light as a feather You’re as light as a butterfly Lovely little butterfly Couldn't wish for more
5.	Back Pack Sweat 01:31	lyrics	buy track
I'm a terrible flyer, but off I go Didn’t book my meal, or the exit row At the airport now, it’s so hot Got back pack sweat Feel a grot Eyes search mine As I avoid And I focus on all the notifications Yeah Of course, I'll write Of course, you'll call This is just a break We both swear that's all I'll have my eye mask on Pretty soon Rack up my Frequent Flyer points pretty soon
6.	Frequencies 04:38	lyrics	buy track
This quiet is offering frequencies Louder than any fucking dBs It’s painting in oils, it’s painting in mud It’s painting in pus, it’s painting in blood There’s the lesser Gods and the lesser devils Hiding in the cupboards of all the different levels Scratching like a pick along Blackie’s strings Scratching at my throat, I shout, I can’t sing Ha! Ha! And I lie, and I lie, yeah I lie up to the sky It’s a reflex, a context, let the bile ride That’s better Oh! Oh! Oh! Ah, frequencies Oh! I see spiders everywhere It’s not their legs I fear It’s just, it’s just, their patience I swear Oh, there’s the piss, there’s the vinegar, the chips on the dish Oh, do you really ever know what the flavour is It’s the oil and the newspaper soaking up the grist So scallop up the taters like a textured kiss Oh, it’s a nightmare even Cronos couldn’t dream up The nightmare only stops with the cup, oh yeah Frequencies Yeah! I see spiders everywhere It’s not their legs I fear It’s just, it’s just, their patience I swear Frequencies Frequencies Frequencies Frequencies Frequencies Frequencies Oh, I’m a frequent visitor A frequent liar I frequently set my mind on fire Frequencies I frequent all those lesser places Free my synaptic spaces I’m a frequent visitor A frequent liar I frequently set my mind on fire Frequencies
7.	Home Sweet Home 03:28	lyrics	buy track
So share, the word can rhyme with two But cover to cover the doona's mainly you, oh But ya nanna's curtains will be breezed upon Sending kisses down my arm You’re a snuggled up bug A lock of hair With all ya worldly charm Go! The yellow salt and pepper shakers A partial square light from the blinds Tell me you’re already home A splash of colour, sleight of hand The key, the lock, a little nudge Now I’m also home The tip, the toe and then that step I pad across the floor Smile then turn left Is it really that early? Is it dawned upon? Is there light playing down my arm? Shall I tip toe after you? Giggle then pick you up And love you in my arms Go! The yellow salt and pepper shakers Partial square light from the blinds Tell me you’re already home The splash of colour, sleight of hand The key, the lock, a little nudge Now I’m also home I’m late for work, but that’s ok I’m late most days, but that’s ok Pick any little phrase Lock it on ya lips Let me try and guess the meaning Don’t give a clue away; don’t give a clue away, oh oh, oh I've hidden stuff around The house that will explode If you take too long to find it I've given you the clues; I’ve given all the clues away The fog, the mirror and two portals Yours is heart shaped I see that you've noticed that, yeah Well I pick up your razor and I scrape my face and then Tap, and a tap, and a tap Slam dunk the razor in the bathroom bin As my heart taps, taps, and taps Go!
8.	Humiliated / Humiliator 01:56	lyrics	buy track
Why would you clutter up the cold? And let me heat right over your fingers Pity isn’t something you can do on your own Pity isn’t something you can do on your own Lock the doors, unplug the phone Pity isn't something you can do on your own Yeah! And tell the story, then tell the lie, ohh Let me see where your fingers are now Yeah! Pity isn’t something you can do on your own Pity isn’t something you can do on your own The shades are drawn, there’s no one home Pity isn't something you can do on your own Yeah! Yeah! Humiliate Humiliator Humiliate Yeah!
9.	The Laws of Gossip 02:38	lyrics	buy track
Yeah! Oh, like a rat up an aqueduct, a squirrel up a tree The natural laws of gossip find a natural company Ah, ah Oh, the chase, is it so much better than the catch? With the story so good, you can fuck up all the facts Ah, ah Schadenfreude like haemorrhoids A dollop on yer polyp in the crease that joins Ah These things we know as true The truth, it cleaves us stronger than glue And tears us apart Whether it’s a tickle or a nibble, you can live on it for days The sweetness and the sour dribble down like mayonnaise Ah, ah Ah, a whisper in your ear or a shout to the globe You’ve told me watcha think, tell me watcha know Ah These things we know as true The truth, it cleaves us stronger than glue And pulls us apart The titillation wrung From a story just begun Let the blood run free Let the free blood run These things we know as true The truth, it cleaves us stronger than glue Tears us apart
10.	Needles and Pins (sic) 02:59	lyrics	buy track
Oh, ya pinned ya hair back I like it when ya hair's pinned back I've made the bed and brekkie I even pinched some flowers from the outside Well my arms are needles and pins So is every inch of my skin Ah hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo Well my arms are needles and pins So's every inch of my skin And did you drop that smile Here, let me pick it up for you And your shark tooth necklace If it's somewhere here, I’ll find that too Black and white prints on the wall You’re half hidden under that shawl Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo Across that table from you Each and every morning with you Oh, yeah Pa, pa, pa, pa, papa,papa, pa, pa Gentle volume on the stereo Pa, pa, pa, pa, papa,papa, pa, pa Stir some sugar in ya tea Together, together, together Shooting holes in the world Together, together, together Stop, kiss and then, then reload Together, together, together Pa,papa, pa, pa Pa, papa, pa, pa Yes, you have shook me You've let ya hair down I love it when ya wear ya hair out A few bites of ya toast Ask me if I wanna bite too Yeah, my arms are needles and pins So is every inch of my skin Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo My arms are needles and pins So's every inch of my skin Hoo
11.	Shove It Down 01:56	lyrics	buy track
Shove it down, down, down Shove it down Shove it down, down, down Shove it down I couldn’t eat another thing, ah hoo A knife’s edge on a crystal glass Oh no, he's gonna make a speech and I can't excuse me self Across the table, his eyes find mine Yeah, I swear that his eyes find mine It’s all I can do not to scream His teeth are always on edge And I really can't stand that voice That mind-numbing voice oh yeah, yeah Oh, shove it down, down, down Shove it down Shove it down, down, down Shove it down I couldn’t eat another thing, ah hoo …. But pass the peas :-)
12.	Shoot Me in the Back 02:52	lyrics	buy track
Shoot me in the back Make sure you aim straight Make sure that it's fatal Shoot me in the back Make sure you aim well Hit an organ that's vital I'm gonna bleed out on your brand new tiled floor I'm gonna bleed like I've never bled before You broke my heart, now the life drains out of me You’ve disappeared, my life drains out of me I'm fatal I feel fatal You broke my heart, now the life drains out of me You’ve disappeared, my life drains out of me I'm fatal I feel fatal Stab me in the back Stab me real deep and twist the handle Stab me in the back I stagger round the room while you twist the handle I'm gonna bleed out on your fancy parquetry floor I'm pissin’ out blood like I've never pissed blood before You broke my heart, now the life drains out of me You’ve disappeared, my life drains out of me I'm fatal I feel fatal You broke my heart, now the life drains out of me You’ve disappeared, my life drains out of me I'm fatal I feel fatal Yeah!

about

Tim Rogers has joined record-breaking and trail-blazing Sydney punks the Hard-Ons as lead singer! Sydney group the Hard-Ons, who have been cranking out their own brand of punk rock for nearly 40 years now (yes, they started young!), have announced the addition of a new member, one Tim Rogers.

Rogers, who recently celebrated his best chart debut in 20 years when You Am I's new album The Lives of Others landed at #2, is not only a long-time friend of the band, but a long-time fan, having caught them numerous times in his teenage years and bought their records from the start. Never happy with less than a full plate, Rogers will of course remain with You Am I, and will no doubt keep doing all the other things he does, but as of now he is also the Hard-Ons' lead singer. Indeed, he has already written and recorded an album with them!

The first Hard-Ons album with Tim Rogers, ‘I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken’, is out now through Cheersquad Records & Tapes, and is available on black vinyl, CD and digitally. We have added a 'dandruff white' limited edition vinyl, as vinyl is running out of the door. 200 Copies only! The limited edition translucent orange vinyl and the limited edition blue vinyl are already sold out.

First single “Hold Tight” is a perfect, tearaway punk-pop number.

“Lite as a Feather”, the second single, is an absolute stomper that utilises Tim’s vocal talents brilliantly. Almost two songs in one, the crunching first half highlights a sing-along refrain of “You’ve got the weight of the world resting on your shoulders” before it changes tack and becomes something more melodic. It’s a brilliant track that highlights the band’s inventiveness.

The Hard-Ons’ Ray Ahn, has said, “I’m thrilled to have Tim on board, and I am loving his contribution!”

Bandmate Blackie concurs, "How fucking good is this!!"

Tim himself has said, “I was already the luckiest goof in rock’n’roll, and I get asked to make a racket with my hero’s? Strewth. Wake me up sometime, will ya?”

One of Australia’s most loved and influential bands from the mid- ‘80s through to now, the Hard-Ons came out of the multicultural South-West Sydney suburb Punchbowl and quickly won a large following nationally with their irreverent attitude and catchy, noisy high energy sound. Appearing on the Radio Birdman-influenced Sydney scene of the early ‘80s and preceding the punk-pop boom of the ‘90s, the Hard-Ons were a musical bridge and became a punk and alternative music sensation, blowing open doors by incorporating disparate elements - like a range of metal styles, from glam to thrash - which were previously unheard in Australian punk. All the while they were forced to push through other barriers; barriers that appeared because of their mixed ethnicity and their wilfully transgressive and irreverent nature, which was typified by their name, and by Ray’s outrageous artwork.

“The Hard-Ons were and still are amazing” – Warren Ellis (Dirty Three/Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds)

“(The Hard-Ons) should be in the ARIA Hall of Fame!” – Dave Faulkner (Hoodoo Gurus)

In their early days, the Hard-Ons shared bills with the likes of the Ramones and Nirvana and appeared on numerous Big Days Out. They scored a never-bettered 17 consecutive number 1s on the Australian independent charts and in 1989 were the only Australian band still based in Australia to hit the top 5 in the NME charts (the only Australian artists to have achieved that - Nick Cave and the Go-Betweens – had both been UK-based). Despite break-ups and the formation of other bands (Ray & Blackie’s other ongoing band Nunchukka Superfly) and, in Blackie’s case, a solo career, the Hard-Ons undertook their 19th European tour in 2018, when they played the massive metal festival Hellfest, alongside Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Joan Jett. Soon to celebrate 40 years together, their new album with new kid Tim will be their 13th.

Over the years, the Hard-Ons have won the vocal support of artists like Dave Grohl, Henry Rollins, and Jello Biafra. They’ve influenced subsequent generations of punk bands – from the Meanies to Frenzal Rhomb to Private Function – as well as a wide-ranging groundswell of Australian alternative artists – from You Am I to Spiderbait to Silverchair to Regurgitator to Magic Dirt to Powderfinger to the Dirty Three to the Chats – each of whom have been inspired by the Hard-Ons’ energy, free spirit and uncompromising dedication.

“Hard-Ons are trailblazers!” – Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys)

credits

released October 8, 2021

All songs Peter Black except
Frequencies by Ray Ahn/Peter Black/Tim Rogers
The Laws of Gossip by Peter Black/Tim Rogers
Back Pack Sweat by Peter Black/Murray Ruse

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about

Cheersquad Records & Tapes Melbourne, Australia

Wally “Meanie” Kempton took the plunge in 2018 and launched his record label Cheersquad Records & Tapes. Since then he has released new material from acts such as The Meanies, The Hard-Ons, Chris Wilson, Phil Jamieson, Seasick Steve, Wanita, Minibikes, The Rinehearts, Immigrant Union and T. Wilds, along with limited edition vinyl of older material from Snout, Even and The Glory Box and more. ... more

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