Peter ‘ Blackie’ Black, the guitarist/vocalist of the legendary Sydney punk act The Hard-Ons, was the victim of a vicious attack late last week while he was driving his taxi.

According to Zombie Dog Entertainment, ‘Blackie’ suffered from a skull fracture, 16 stitiches, and swelling on the brain after he was severely beaten by a 14-year-old girl and a 16-year old boy last Thursday. The original report from the Sydney Morning Herald says police were called out to Rocklands Road, Crows Nest in NSW after an assault was called in the early morning.

Black was found injured on the side of the road and rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital where he was treated, and now, a statement issued from the band tells, “thankfully, he is now in a more stable condition and has been moved from the critical room.”

The online statement, from band bassist Ray Ahn, continues to reveal that Black is recovering but that they are, “not sure when he can play music again. We will know more in the coming days. He has already been told he cannot drive for 6 weeks due to his head trauma.”

Ahn is also encouraging fans to reach out with get-well messages and support through their Facebook, “he’ll read it all when he gets out in a few days. I’m sure he’ll get better soon. He is a pretty tough cookie”

The Hard-Ons, one of Australia’s most successful independent acts, were set to head out on tour in June but these dates will be postponed while Black recovers. Ahn continues, “I know he wants to get back playing music again as soon as possible, but he will go with medical advice, it’s gonna be best to give playing live for a while, so that he can fully recover and come back fitter than ever.”

Glenn Koek, a booker and friend of the band, is using his Zombie Dog Entertainment to set up a donations page towards Blacks recovery – which can be made through their website.

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