Hardball - Dirty EP (2018)

Genre - Hard Rock / Garage Rock

Label - Self Released

Track listing:

01 - Dirty

02 - Ballad Of John Fox

03 - Closed For Inventory

Earlier this month I was given the opportunity to take a sneaky listen of the then unmixed debut single, 'Dirty', from new UK rockers Hardball, and was suitably impressed with what I heard. Now hot on the tails the band deliver the mixed debut EP, and what an interesting little beauty it is too!
This debut EP delivers three totally different tracks, 'Dirty' the solid hard rocker of a track that is very much in the vein of Wolfsbane and The Almighty. The next track, 'Ballad Of John Fox', is a completely different monster. A slower dare I say trippyer type of track with a more Indy rock feel, Ala REM or some of the The Wildhearts more trippy moments such as Dreaming In A. 'Ballad Of John Fox is a real gem of a song that truly showcases this new bands versatility as song writers and musicians. Excellent. 
The third and final song is 'Closed For Inventory', a real groover of a track, again showcasing another side to the bands song writing talents.
Considering the fact that the guys that the guys had the courage to record the song live in White Wolf Recording Studios under the guidance of Ian Thompson, this debut EP shows a great deal of promise, and will serve the band well as a sort of demo / taster. Personally I cant wait for the full length album!

Rating: 9/10

Check the guys out for yourself here on the bands Soundcloud page.

Hardball - Dirty (2018) (Single)

Genre - Hard Rock / Garage Rock 

Label - Self Released

Track listing:

01 - Dirty

So I have recently been given the opportunity to hear the debut unmixed single from a new project called Hardball featuring the talents of Hung Like Jack drummer Denz 'Gareth' Westgarth with Tim Smith, guitar and vocals, Phil Balles, guitar and bassist Neil MacGillvray. Now to be fair I have to admit to not knowing a great deal about the new project, but I figured that if it featured Denz within its line up is was bound to be a rockin' band, and upon listening to the unmixed single, 'Dirty', my guess was happily reaffirmed.

The song opens with single guitar riff before bursting into life as a full blown rocker. The song seems to show case a more hard rock / garage rock sound than Denz's previous outfit, Hung Like Jack, whom seemed to incorporate a more punk rock edge to their music. To be fair I love 'Dirty', and can't wait to hear a fully mastered EP or album from the guys, as this track shows so much promise. Imagine a tighter, more polished version of Wolfsbane if you will. I bloody love it, especially upon finding out that the guys had the courage to record the song live in White Wolf Recording Studios under the guidance of Ian Thompson.

A great song that shows a great deal of promise from a brand new outfit!

Rating: 9/10

Check these guys out!!!!!

Hung Like Jack - She's Not Dead (Single) (2016)

Genre - Hard Rock / Punk / Metal

Label - Self Released

Track listing:

01 - She's Not Dead

Rowdy Rockers Hung Like Jack follow up last years rather excellent "Life's First Signs of Rage" double A-Side release with the brand spanking new single, "She's Not Dead". This new track see's the guys in a rather melodic yet punky frame of mind, bringing to mind lost 90's rockers Whatever, or a mellower Supercharger. The song is pretty damn fine, the guys are sounding as tight as ever, and this single really does manage to wet the appetite with anticipation of a possible new EP (or album maybe?)

Well worth checking out!

Rating - 9/10

Hung Like Jack - Life's First Sign Of Rage (Single) (2015)

 

Genre - Hard Rock / Metal / Punk

Label - Self Released

 

Track listing:

 

01 - Life's First Sign Of Rage

02 - Fire Beneath Me

Hung Like Jack return next month with a two track signal that's set to be the soundtrack to your summer with Life's First Sign Of Rage!
Two blistering tracks that manage to combine the bands hard rock, metal and punk influences perfectly. There is enough angst and energy contained within these two tracks to satisfy any one, all the while tempered with the bands acute sense of melody.
The single's / EP's title track burst into life from the on set with a gang chant and great melodic riff.
The guitars and bass line really driving the song along, yet restraining themselves enough to allow the songs melody and vocals to take centre stage. A great song that I can see becoming very popular with the bands fans. Love the break downs too, heavy riffy monsters!
The EP's / singles other track, Fire Beneath Me (the b-side in the good old days!) is another monster of a track. This song has more punk leanings to it, yet is still undeniably Hung Like Jack. Again the guitars really drive this song along, it also has plenty of chanting and some great lyrics. I can really see this one becoming a firm live favourite has it just about has everything.
If these two new tracks are anything to go by then I cant wait to hear a bloody album from these guys, its long over due!
You really do owe to yourselves to check these guys out, think Supercharger / Whatever mixed with The Jelly's and Wildhearts.

Very Highly Recommended.


Rating - 10/10

The single is launched live at The Railway Tavern (Darlington) on Friday May 22nd.

 Find out more here

Hung Like Jack - White Powder (7 Track Album) (2014)

Genre - Hard Rock / Alternative / Punk

Label - Self Released

 

Track listing:

01 - White Powder

02 - Kickout

03 - Four Walls

04 - Colder

05 - Short Arms Deep Pockets

06 - Flystrike

07 - Ripe For Grieving

 

A couple of months ago I had the pleasure of being asked to review a three track (White Powder) Ep released by Hung Like Jack which blew me away with the bands energy. Now we have a seven track album / EP which features that EP pls four more tracks, so here goes!

Hung like jack were formed back in 2007 in Darlington (UK), when Tim Smith (Guitars) met up with J Tutin (Vocals) and Hakim (Bass). The band advertised for a drummer and up steps Denz, hitting the sweet spot with his hard hitting beats and versatility.

Again title White Powder starts things off in a high octane punk / alternative rock fused fashion. You can definitely hear the punk influences, and at a little under two minutes in length the song really does fly by, but the production is quite polished and really brings out the quality of both the performance and songwriting. A great start.

Next up is Kickout, this song mixes the tempo up a little with some great drum and guitar work from Denz and Tim.

Four Walls follows, again another great song, with a real modern rock feel to it.

Colder slows things down a little, and showcases another side to the bands songwriting, and features some great bass work from Hakim.

Next we have Short Arms Deep Pockets (hey don't we all have a friend like that!) which picks the tempo up a little and proves to be a great little melodic rocker!

Flystrike slows things down a little once again, with its rather epic feel.

Closing out the album / Ep we have Ripe For Grieving, the second longest of the on offer here (the longest being Colder) , again with a slightly slower tempo and some great atmospheric guitar work. Another great song that at times brings Nick Parsons Supercharger (UK) and Whatever to mind. Again a really great song.

 

This really is a solid EP / Album and well worth checking out!

Hung Like Jack are proof the Gene Simmons is talking out of his rear end when he claims Rock is dead, its alive and well, kicking and screaming in the hearts of bands like Hung Like Jack!

Get out there and show them your support!

 

Rating 10/10

 

Hung Like Jack - White Powder EP (2014)

Genre - Hard Rock / Alternative / Punk

Label - Self Released

Track listing:

01 - White Powder

02 - Ripe For Grieving

03 - Four Walls

Hung like jack were formed back in 2007.in Darlington.(UK), when Tim Smith (Guitars) met up with J Tutin (Vocals) and Hakim (Bass)..The band advertised for a drummer and up steps Denz, hitting the sweet spot with his hard hitting beats and versatility. Four e.p's and a live disc."Arrested By Midnight" later the band split for a short period whilst the band members went their separate ways, that was up until around six months ago when they re-formed and recorded this their latest e.p. titled "White Powder".
Considering that Denz recently claimed that this e.p. was recorded very quickly and on a very limited budget its out standing. Title track white Powder starts things off in a high octane punk / alternative rock fused fashion. You can definitely hear the punk influences, and at a little under two minutes in length the song really does fly by, but the production is quite polished and really brings out the quality of both the performance and songwriting. A great start.
Next up is Ripe For Grieving, the longest of the three tracks on offer here, with a slightly slower tempo and some great atmospheric guitar work. Another great song that at times brings Nick Parsons Supercharger (UK) and Whatever to mind. Again a really great song.
Four Walls closes things out and its another really solid song.
In short the band sound really tight all over this Ep, yet fluid and relaxed enough to really capture that live feeling. All three songs are really solid, and if their strength and quality are anything to go by then I really cant wait for the album!
Personally I'm really glad these guys chose to reform, otherwise I would have sadly missed them, now to track down their back catalogue!

Highly Recommended

Rating - 10/10