Darren Hoff guitar/ vocals___ Ben Massey lead guitar/ vocals Brandon Burke drums/ vocals
Jim Hawkins Keyboards_____
Greg White bass
For booking email darrenhoff@yahoo.com
Darren Hoff spent nearly a decade singing and playing guitar with The Weary
Boys, a band who's roots trace back to Eureka California before the founding members moved to Austin in 2000. They crisscrossed the nation dozens of times and self released six records. The boys called it quits in the summer of 2007 and after finding his first day job in over six years Darren’s first thought was “I better start writing some songs”. Nearly two years later Darren Hoff and his new band dubbed “The Hard Times” entered Jumping Dog studio with 10 tunes penned by Darren and an old Charlie Poole song.
The selection and inclusion of Darren’s new band-mates came through a mix of circumstance and intention. Ben Massey, lead guitar, relocated to Austin a decade ago from his native Maryland. He has played more than a thousand gigs with various acts around Austin, a good number of them opening for The Weary Boys. Darren and Ben kicked around the idea of starting a side project together for years but both were too busy for it to get off of the ground. That changed early in 2008 when they got together to work on a few of Darren’s songs, put together a set of covers, and started booking some off-night gigs as a three piece with various bass players.
Brandon Burke was next to join up with a simple “sure” when Darren asked him “hey we have a show tomorrow, do you want to play drums with us?” Burke a recent transplant from Yakima Washington with an odd musical background, a paring of Metal and Jazz might not have been an obvious choice but they immediately clicked.
Florida born engineer Jim Hawkins made his way to Austin via Hawaii, California and Belize. He became friends with Darren and Brandon when they worked together at a music shop. Early in the summer of 2009 he signed on to record and co-produce their self-titled first release. The recording process and working relationship was so fruitful with Jim adding keys to a few tracks that he started sitting in at live shows. It was quickly decided that his keyboards, harmony vocals and acoustic guitar were a perfect fit and before completion of the recording he became a full member.
After a handful of bass players used to gig they were fortunate enough to get legendary Gilley’s bandleader and David Allen Coe alum Billy Dee to start the recording process laying down bass on 9 of the 11 tracks. Meanwhile former co-worker at the same music shop and lead guitar player in local indie rock band The Alice Rose Gregg White popped in to say hi and mentioned he had recently purchased a new bass. Well the Hard Times needed a bass player for a gig two nights later and Gregg fearlessly jumped aboard. One gig turned into another and Gregg ended up doing the final recording sessions for the record.
The quintet look forward to gigging, writing and recording for years to come.
Darren Hoff & The Hard Times's Friend Space (Top 16)
Hello my friend. We have a new track called "Everything". Please listen it, and tell me what you think, and if you can leave a comment on youtube. Thank you. Joshua.
Hi There, We started a Facebook site and wanted to let you know about it in you case you have one too and would like to join us there as well as at Myspace. For the link... Just Click here----->
FACEBOOK Urban Monroes Thanks a lot. Hope to see ya there!
TONITE!!! FRIDAY OCTOBER 30th Sin City Social Club's Day of the Dead Rock Star Ball with a special one-time only performance by THE SKELETONEZ (featuring members of THE MOTHER TRUCKERS, SHURMAN and STONEHONEY) with special guests Nakia, Rosie Flores and more! The Scoot Inn 1308 E. 4th Austin, TX 78702 $5 8pm doors * Scary Monsters & Superfreaks welcome! * Pumpkin Carving ... (byo pumpkin) * devilishly good pot luck ... bring your favorite maggot stew, deviled eggs ..
And we both know it just won't be the same without Darren Hoff & The Hard Times at the party so put on a costume and head on down for a goulishly good time!!
We're playin our Texas brothers, Spies Like Us and The Bandulus! I hope you can make it! @ Flamingo Cantina Austin, Texas Saturday, November 7th! 9pm 18 + thanks! C1
hi, how are you doing? i wanted to stop by your page and let you know what has been going on in my life.....the new album i just finished with charlie sexton in austin is available for pre-sale by clicking the banner at the top of my page.....i just left wisconsin and landed in the south east....lots of great things are happening.....we just shot a new video in nashville, it is the single from the album .......hope you will check out both.....here is the link to the video....let me know what you think about it if you get a chance to watch it.....
HelpCharity is a acronym for Handicapped, engagement, loyalty, protection. HelpCharity want to support organizations that pay attention to the needs of handicapped children in Germany and America. Would you like to help too? For more information please read the blog of HelpCharity.
HelpCharity steht für BeHinderten, engagement, loyalität und protektion. Mit HelpCharity sollen Organisationen unterstützt werden, die sich um die Belange von behinderten Kindern in Deutschland und den USA kümmern. Würdest Du auch gerne helfen? Informationen wie Du helfen kannst, findest Du im Blog von HelpCharity.
We are back from tour and playing Saturday night at the Continental Club with our good friends the Mother Truckers-we hit at 10PM! hope u can amke it down- Shurman ..
Online Now!
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