The Ronson Hangup On ‘70s Rock And Their Upcoming Album
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The Ronson Hangup On ‘70s Rock And Their Upcoming Album

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Aptly named, the band share an admiration for Mick Ronson, whose music influences their own. “Mick was ground-breaking in the versatility of his guitar playing and sound. He defined much of the ‘70s guitar sounds and the sound of bands that were Bowie’s peers,” says vocalist Steve Pinkerton.

 

“But he also produced some of the defining albums of that period and beyond, including Lou Reed’s Transformer – not to forget Morrissey’s third album, Arsenal. The Ronson Hangup has always been defined by our guitar foundations provided by Mal Pinkerton and Ash Naylor, and Mick Ronson is the guitarist that most inspired us.”

 

The Ronson Hangup released their debut self-titled album in 2009, with their follow-up set to drop at the end of October this year. “The new album [is] at mastering stage but is yet untitled, and since it’s taken so long in the making some have suggested we call it Chinese Democracy Mark II,” says Pinkerton. “The album builds on our debut album and its focus on guitar based melodic rock.”

 

Schedule clashes and striving for perfection have been the main contributing factors to the eight year period between albums, according to Pinkerton.

 

“There’s a couple of reasons for the gap. Firstly, all the members are in other bands including Even, Courtney Barnett, Dallas Crane, Central Rain and Paul Kelly to name a few, and hence we come together in between gigs and tours,” he says. “Secondly, we are perfectionists, or some may say obsessive compulsive. Therefore every layer takes time, and if a song feels like it would be enhanced by getting, for instance, Slava Grigoryan to play on it, then we do it.”

When describing the band’s approach to creating their forthcoming album, Pinkerton remains modest. “Mal and I write independently and then present our ideas to the band. If Dave, Ash, Luke and Erica don’t all fall about laughing then we take this as a positive sign and the song goes to stage two,” he says.

 

“I think the inspiration is simply the love of creating music and having an amazing bunch of musicians to interpret the initial concept. We also feel that’s there’s a like-minded audience out there who have a thirst for a good tune. That’s inspiration enough.”

 

The Ronson Hangup have provided a glimpse of what’s to come with the release of the first single from the impending album, Hickock’s Curse, produced by Wayne Connolly at Sydney’s recently closed Alberts Studios.

Hickok’s Curse refers to Wild Bill Hickok’s card hand that won him his final poker game but also triggered his murder, sometimes referred to as Dead Man’s Hand,” says Pinkerton. “The song was inspired by a friend who characterised their own unfortunate life as ‘living in a stacked deck,’ and describes a life of misfortune, adversity and devil’s own luck.”

The Ronson Hangup will give a rare performance in Melbourne, with the show serving as a single launch for Hickock’s Curse. “Our audience can expect the usual two guitar onslaught, singalong tunes and four-part harmonies,” says Pinkerton. “Erica, Ash, Mal, Luke and I will fight for microphone space and Dave Mudie will outdo me on the drums, show-off. I also plan to pull out the flute for a tune, the audience may respond positively, or want to smash it over my head.”

Pinkerton says fans can look forward to more live shows from The Ronson Hangup over the coming summer, following the release of their new album. “I haven’t told the band yet, but [I’m] planning on doing an absurd amount of regional shows just to drive them crazy. I think an imploding band makes great art,” he jokes.