TV Smith's Adverts
The Tote, Collingwood, VIC
Friday 3 April 2026
The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar, North Melbourne, VIC
Sunday 5 April 2026
Words & Pictures: Robert Brokenmouth
I cannot believe it’s been so long since I’ve seen the Hard Ons. Been in a tunnel for a few years. Never mind.
I sent some rude words to the publicist, Dave Laing, when I found out TV Smith was touring - but (understandably) not to my hometown, Adelaide. I did an interview with TV Smith, and was glad that I’d got a few things right.
You don’t know with long-term rockers. I’ve met some folks, including from Smith’s place and generation who .. let’s just say … are entitled shits.
But not, it seems, TV Smith. The tenor of the interview… he seemed polite, gracious even.
And then the bombshell dropped: Smith wasn’t touring with just an acoustic guitar (which he’s done in Europe to considerable acclaim), but there was a backing band involved: enter The Hard-Ons (oo-er, missus etc).
Now, Smith has written some amazing lyrics over the years, and don’t get me started on that torrent-of-hurt voice of his. Many of his LPs and CDs are on Easy Action, and In The Red have just issued two unreleased Adverts records by the original Adverts.
No, fuck it, I might never get the chance to see him again: I had to go see him. Yes, I wanted to go to every gig but funds and other things were against me, so I ram-raided the local bottle-o, robbed a couple of pensioners and headed to elbourne, "making do" with gigs at The Tote on Friday and The Last Chance (formerly The Public Bar) on Sunday afternoon.
Now, I don’t want to give too much away. Suffice to say, anyone who goes won’t be disappointed. The Hard-Ons are almost unrecognisable (Ray and Blackie are wearing tshirts) and bring a constantly exploding joy of life to a set of songs mostly from 50 or so years ago.
If the world made sense, these boys would be touring with Smith through Europe. They’re having an infectious and rip-roaring blast.
Smith… first, he has no business whatsoever being so fit, slim, and full of the kind of energy I would’ve had difficulty matching when I was 22. These two gigs made me wish I could win the lotto and traipse along with them.
Second, the man projects, connects & engages like no-one else I’ve ever seen. His energy, his life-force rippling at us over & over. On top of that, he’s one of the five best lyricists of his generation.
If you have negative expectations, don’t be a boring old bastard all your days. Stop whinging and go out and sample real life. These gigs will be remembered with love and great gratitude to whoever had the bright idea to lug Smith over, and to park the delighted Hard-ons behind.
Cannot believe how tight this unit was. Smith was able to rely on them completely, & give full rein to bouncing about the stage. I’m writing this a couple hours afterwards and I feel tired and in need of a lie-down just remembering…
Folks, I say this only occasionally, but if you don’t make the effort on this, don’t tell me you love rock’n’roll, because clearly you have no idea.
On the other hand, I’m told that Kim Wilde is touring, and obviously that’s more your thing. It’s easy to sit in at home and let hardcore become hardsnore.
We sung happy birthday to TV Smith at the Last Chance. He turned 70.
Amazing.
8 - Hamilton Station Newcastle
9 - Link and Pin, Woy Woy
10 - Lansdowne, Sydney
11 - La Las Wollongong -
(w/ Cammy Cautious and the Wrestlers)
Tickets
