4,000,000 Telephones - Hard Man (single)
Formed in 1983 and now nearly forty years on, 4,000,000 Telephones re-engage with some previously unreleased material that is as relevant today as when it was recorded back in the eighties. The five surviving members of the original line-up have been listening through the band’s archives and have decided that it’s entirely appropriate to release the previously unheard track, 'Hard Man' recorded in 1986.
'Hard Man' was/is an uncharacteristically upbeat, melodic song with a big dollop of irony; a satirical response to the emergence of the “hard men” of the 1980’s; from the reactionary backlash against post-war progressive and social gains, aggressive domestic and foreign policies, to the possibility of getting thumped of an evening because someone’s team had lost earlier that afternoon. From pitch to politics, hard men were and continue to be, problematic.
To mark the single, the band recorded a video earlier this year in their home town of Lincoln. The newly produced video will be released alongside the single on Friday September 24. This will be the third release for 2021, seeing the band spring back into action after being dormant for many decades. Plans are afoot to release an album featuring their previously unreleased material later in the year and as well as their back catalogue, the band will also be recording new material.
4,000,000 Telephones gained national press in the UK, regularly featured in Melody Maker and play-listed by John Peel and Janice Long on BBC Radio 1. NME featured the band as most likely candidates for better things, before proving them wrong. They also toured Germany gaining national German music press.
4,000,000 Telephones are a collision of six minds from different musical directions creating a fascinating melée of musical styles that delighted and baffled by equal measure. As well as the more contemporary elements of punk and funk that were widespread at the time the music was also interjected with moments of country, jazz, pop and progressive rock.
Musically, Hard Man slightly shows its age and takes you back in time which isn't a bad thing after all. We often think about the good music from the past. You can hear the irony in the vocal delivery and combined with the catchy upbeat melody this creates something hard to pass by.