Album Notes

Phillip E. Hardy Born May 27, 1956, Manhasset, New York: He is a Music critic, Novelist and musician that has played drums for Joe Houston, Guitar Shorty, The Lively Ones and Walter Egan; working with bands that opened concerts in Los Angeles for new wave band The Motels and alternative country rockers Rank and File. Phillip began his drumming career in the mid 1970’s occasionally filling in as substitute drummer for seminal LA punk band The Weasels, as well as jamming and recording with musicians including Dean Chamberlain, The Skulls and Marvin Etzioni of Lone Justice fame. During the 1980’s he twice worked with Asylum Kids bassist and vocalist Dino Archon in bands named DV8 and Symbol Positive playing at Club Lingerie, Madame Wong's, and The Troubadour and on the (KROQ) Radio stage at the 1984 LA Street Scene'. At a 1984 recording session in Playa Del Rey, California, Phillip was invited by bassist Ralph Carter to audition for Eddie Money and his touring band. During the early 1990's, he fronted his own band Badge of Honor playing numerous live shows and had original songs featured on KLOS Radio Best of Local Licks show. In a May 9, 1994 Music Connection Magazine review, Hardy’s unique vocal style was compared to Harry Chapin and his drumming was described as “As precise as the tick-tock of Big Ben and rocks like a run away renegade.” Phillip was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Business Management in 2001 and a Master of Management from the University of Redlands in 2003. Later that year, his album Old Dog, New Tricks was released and received positive reviews from publications including Fufkin Magazine, Ripping Tracks and IOM Magazine. He currently contributes features and reviews for Sound the Sirens online magazine where his review of the film Capote was recently published in addition to music reviews of Robert Cray, Richard Thompson and Brian Setzer. His novel Kingdom of the Hollow, the Story of the Hatfields and McCoys" was recently entered into the Kentucky Historical Library. On September 3, 2006 Phillip joined The Lively Ones playing drums and singing lead vocals for a concert at the Orange International Street Fair. In addition to a selection of surf music and classic rock, the group performed their hit song "Surf Rider" from the Pulp Fiction Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. He continues to work with The Lively Ones and many other bands and musicians.
Webzine review from Power of Pop Webzine

Reviewer: Kevin M Mathews, March 9, 2004

Old Dog, New Tricks (Mad Monk) Mister Hardy has become a regular correspondent with your humble writer of late and it's been fun just chewing the e-fat now and then. Hardy, the singer-songwriter-drummer, is also someone you'd gladly invite into your music-loving heart with his unassuming, subtle but accomplished easy rock styling. This three-track EP is a treat right from the moment the sanguine vibe of "Bourbon Street" hits you between the eyes. Reminiscent of the finer material of Mark Knopfler and Gerry Rafferty, this mid-tempo paean to the French Quarter, is simple to enjoy. The country-folk musing of "She's the One" where Hardy channels the late great Roy Orbison and is a pleasant piece of balladry and the upbeat "The Drift," with its Todd Rundrenesque keyboard changes, is a muscular soul-rocker that takes hold fairly quickly and never lets go. Good stuff, all round. B+