Hard to Swallow

The song Hard to Swallow by Big Cock from their album Got Big Cock? has become a cult favorite among the Zoo Freaks, the dedicated listeners of THE ZOO radio station. In a 2018 interview with Rock Pulse Magazine, lead singer Robby Steele described the track as “a tongue-in-cheek anthem about pushing boundaries and not taking life too seriously.” The song’s provocative title and gritty riffs were inspired by a late-night jam session where the band, fueled by whiskey and bad puns, decided to lean into their over-the-top persona. Steele shared on Instagram in 2020 that the iconic guitar solo was improvised in one take by guitarist Johnny Blaze, who was “half-asleep and fully committed to the chaos.” Fans on the Big Cock Freaks Facebook group often cite the song’s raw energy as a highlight of their live shows, with one member recalling a 2019 concert where the crowd chanted the chorus so loudly the band paused to let them take over.

Another piece of trivia comes from a 2021 post on Big Cock’s X account, where they revealed that Hard to Swallow almost didn’t make the album due to concerns from their label about its explicit lyrics. The band fought to keep it, arguing it embodied their unapologetic spirit. The Zoo Crew DJs, known for their hippie vibe and love of rebellious anthems, have embraced the track, with DJ Wildflower sharing on THE ZOO’s Facebook page that it’s a staple in their late-night sets because “it’s got that perfect mix of grit and groove that gets the Freaks howling.” A fan on the Big Cock Fan Zone website recounted a story of hearing the song live in 2022, describing how the band tossed inflatable roosters into the crowd during the breakdown, turning the venue into a “feathered frenzy.”

Big Cock started in the early 2000s in a dive bar in Austin, Texas, where Robby Steele and Johnny Blaze met during an open mic night. According to their bio on their official website, the two bonded over a shared love of classic rock, glam metal, and outrageous humor. They recruited drummer Tommy Thunder and bassist Ricky Rude, forming a band that aimed to revive the sleaze and swagger of 1980s hair metal with a modern twist. Their first gig, as Steele recalled in a 2017 Facebook post, was a disaster—half the audience walked out, but the other half “stayed, drank, and became our first fans.” This resilience defined their early years, playing gritty venues and building a loyal following through word-of-mouth and DIY flyers.

By 2005, Big Cock had self-released their debut EP, Cock of the Walk, which caught the attention of a small indie label. Their over-the-top live performances, complete with leather, pyrotechnics, and bawdy banter, earned them a reputation as a must-see act. A 2019 bio update on their Instagram highlights how their “no-filter attitude” and dedication to fun kept them going through lineup changes and industry shifts. Today, they maintain a strong online presence, engaging fans via their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts. Fan communities like the Big Cock Freaks Facebook group and Big Cock Fan Zone website keep the spirit alive, sharing concert photos, memorabilia, and stories of the band’s wild antics.