“Stand Alone is the perfect album for rock fans tired of being subjected to the wave of today’s ‘indie’ rockers and a homage to some of the greatest music to make an entire generation of uptight, religious fanatics uncomfortable. Hard Riffs is sure to find a home in the hearts of the heavily rock’n’roll influenced Austin, Texas.”
Hard Riffs is the solo project of Austin based multi-instrumentalist Michael Mancuso. With a sound that mixes the songwriting style of Tom Petty with the crunchy modern rock sound of The Black Keys, Mancuso displays meticulously produced songs, soaring guitar solos, and catchy riffs that will have you singing along.
Releasing the debut EP “Stand Alone” in June 2017, the self-produced EP features keyboardist Sam Powell (Black Joe Lewis, Emily Bell, Ruby Jane) and drummer Harrell Williams (resident ZACH theater drummer). Mancuso is featured on bass, guitar, and sang on the EP. He also produced all the songs, and did all the tracking, mixing, and mastering in his house.
“Stand Alone”, the EP’s titular track, is a fast rock number about revenge. A spurned lover returns to his hometown to attend the funeral of a long lost lover. When he returns home, he finds the church on burning to the ground. Did he do it? Why did he return?
Lead track “Hey Mama” is a standout song on the EP. A sultry blues/rock number, this track deals with the anguish a lonely heart, drowned in alcohol. Sweeping an epic guitar solo into the finale, Hey Mama’s lead riff catches a listeners ear right from the first note.
Fighting for space in the crowded Austin rock scene, Hard Riffs carve out a sound that truly “stands alone” in a crowd.
