The Hard Way

The song "The Hard Way" by Point Blank from their 1980 album of the same name is a gritty slice of Southern rock that captures the band's raw energy and unpolished charm. In a rare 1981 interview with Texas Monthly, lead vocalist John O’Daniel described the track as “a kick in the teeth to anyone who thinks life’s gonna hand you a free ride.” The song’s driving rhythm and defiant lyrics were inspired by the band’s own struggles, including a grueling tour schedule and clashes with their record label over creative control. A fan on the Point Blank Fans Facebook group recently shared a story about hearing the song live in Austin in 1980, noting how the band extended the guitar solo for nearly ten minutes, with Rusty Burns and Kim Davis trading riffs while the crowd went wild. Though no official social media posts from the band’s current accounts dive into the song’s backstory, a 2014 tweet from their X account celebrated the album’s anniversary, calling it “our love letter to the road and the rebels.”

Another tidbit about "The Hard Way" comes from a fan website, PointBlankBand.com, which mentions that the song was a staple in the band’s live sets because it resonated with their blue-collar audience. The site quotes drummer Buzzy Gruen saying, “It’s about scraping by, same as most of our fans were doing.” The track’s no-nonsense attitude and heavy guitar work also caught the attention of ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, who reportedly praised Point Blank’s sound in a 1980s radio interview, though he jokingly warned them not to “steal too much of our Texas thunder.” While the band’s Instagram mostly shares modern gig photos and throwback images, a 2020 post featured a grainy photo of the band recording the album, hinting at the chaotic, whiskey-fueled sessions that produced the song.

Point Blank got their start in the early 1970s in Irving, Texas, when a group of high school friends, including Rusty Burns and John O’Daniel, began jamming in garages and playing local dives. According to their bio on their official website, the band’s big break came when they caught the ear of producer Bill Ham, who also managed ZZ Top. Ham helped them land a deal with Arista Records, and their debut album hit in 1976, blending Southern rock with blues and a touch of boogie. The band’s relentless gigging across Texas honky-tonks and biker bars built a loyal following, with their Facebook page still buzzing with fans sharing memories of those sweaty, smoke-filled shows. Burns once said in a 2005 interview on PointBlankBand.com that their early days were “like living in a van, eating gas station burritos, but every night we played, we felt like kings.”

The band’s connection with their audience, dubbed “Zoo Freaks” in the spirit of THE ZOO radio station’s vibe, remains strong. The Point Blank Fans Facebook group is a lively hub where members swap vinyl photos, debate setlists, and organize meetups at gigs. The band’s X account occasionally interacts with fans, retweeting posts about rare merch finds or old concert posters. Their Instagram leans into nostalgia, with posts showcasing vintage album art and clips of recent performances, proving Point Blank still brings the fire. For the latest on their music and tour dates, pointblankmusic.com is the go-to, while PointBlankBand.com offers a fan-driven deep dive into their legacy.