The original Oz rock band
D. Watson | Australia | 04/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you think that Skinheads in the 60s and 70s was just a fad that happened in England then you need a history lesson. The Coloured Balls were the leading skinhead band, they were from Australia, they started out in 1972 and called it a day in 1975. They had broken up a year before Sham 69 and Skrewdriver even started. But because they were from Australia, the British music "historians" like to keep quiet about this legendary Aussie Skinhead rock band. The Australian version of the skinhead was/ is called the Sharpie. They dressed similar to the English skinheads but had long tails of hair at the back of their head. The so called SHARP skins of today (Skin Heads Against Racial Prejudice) have totally ripped their name off from the original Aussie Sharpie skinheads. I remember in Melbourne Australia back in the 70s, nearly every suburb had a Sharpie gang. Anyway, onto the music from this album. This is basically Punk/ Rose Tattoo and AC/DC before its time. Listen to the third song on this album, it goes for a minute and a half, and it`s as raw and loud as the Sex pistols who formed 3 years after this record was made. But, again, the British and American music "historians" like to still claim that their New york or Kings road bands invented punk in 1975. The main difference between british punk and Australia`s Coloured Balls is that the Coloured Balls could actually play their instruments alot better than the Punk bands of the late 70s. This Ball Power album is very loud and heavy rock music. It was definately ahead of its time. I`m glad this album has finally been re released and not forgotten because now the debate of who invented Punk/ Skinhead music can now be extended and credited to an unknown Aussie band who formed in 1972, The Coloured Balls."
Essential Australian Hard Rocker
D. Van Kollenburg | Ferny Creek, Victoria, AU | 01/22/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ball Power is an album that should be held in high regard in every part of the planet where harder edged rock is appreciated. Prior the releasing this album Lobby Loyde (lead guitarist/vocalist) had been part of legendary Aussie bands such as the Wild Cherries and the Aztecs as well as releasing the excellent solo album ... Plays With George Guitar. Ball Power confirms Lobby Loydes status as Australias greatest amplified guitarist.
Originally released with nine tracks, Aztec Music has added seven extra tracks including the 16 minute GOD (originally released on the compilation 'Summer Jam'. Original album tracks such as Humen Being, Flash, and Hey, Whats Your Name are some of the finest song ever recorded in Australia. The cover of Whole Lotta Shakin' is also mighty fine.
THis could be the best hard rocker ever to come out of Australia. This CD is essential listening to anyone with even the slightest interest in Rock music with a harder edge."
Brilliant
Daniel J. Cohen | Mount Eliza, Victoria Australia | 02/06/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a brilliant album not a bad track and pretty inovative stuff considering it came out in 1973, this is power punk and you can hear the influence this had on AC/DC, Rose Tattoo and The Angels(Angel City) and a lot of Punk bands including The Clash. Aztec Music have done their usual great job with the remastering and repackaging and the extra tracks are interesting and it's about time it got a release."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1