The Hawke Government was one of Australia’s most successful bands. Formed in 1982 as Bob and The Mates (the name being changed after their first album went platinum), they were initially cast in the ‘Working Class Band’ mould although most of the band members had been to university and Bob himself had been a Rhodes Scholar. They first charted with a version of ‘Beer and Sheilas’ (1983), which owed much to the music of Doug Walters. After the ‘Silver Bodgie Tour’ (1987) their later work expressed a greater sensitivity towards women, although sport and the male ego remained important themes.
Their first single, ‘Pissed Again’ was followed by million-seller ‘Do You Love Me’ in the same year. The band was back in the studio a month later and a string of hits followed: ‘Out With The Old Order’, ‘Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee’, ‘Bondie’s Got a Boat’ all got to number one and ‘Getting Hammered At The Races’, ‘Pilots’ Strike’ and ‘We Are the Old Order’ all charted.
In 1991 the band’s manager, Paul Keating, emerged to re-badge the band and ultimately become the front man. Ex-vocalist Bob went into real estate.