The Hard Aches were an Australian melodic punk/alternative rock trio formed in 2012 in Adelaide, South Australia.

The group consisted of lead singer and guitarist Ben David and drummer Alex Upton for most of their time together, with bassist Eb Tonkin joining for their final few years.

[4][5] The group has toured in support of, and as headliners with other bands including Grinspoon,[6] Luca Brasi, Tired Lion,[7] The Front Bottoms,[8] The Bennies,[9] Teenage Joans,[10] Moose Blood,[11] Camp Cope,[12] and Muncie Girls.

[13] The Hard Aches have been described as "how Courtney Barnett would be if she went rogue after a few too many beers, stopped being so damn loveable and started ranting about past lovers".

[36][37] In January and February 2016, The Hard Aches performed a nine-show tour, supported by Melbourne band Camp Cope.

[12] In the midst of the tour with Camp Cope, the band also performed on the main stage of the Laneway Festival in Adelaide.

[51][52][53] I Freak Out received positive reviews from critics,[15][54] and marked the band's first-ever appearance on the ARIA Album Charts, debuting at number 48.

[13][60][61] During the middle of 2017, the band took a short break from music, to recover from the mental and physical toll of two years of relentless touring.

[63][64] Recording of a second album began in early September 2017, with Melbourne producer Sam Johnson, at his studio 'Holes and Corners'.

[68][69] In January 2018, The Hard Aches performed a small, four-show tour, featuring support acts including Antonia & The Lazy Susans, Bugs, Eliza & The Delusionals, and Stabbitha & The Knifey Wifeys.

[72][73] In March 2018, the band released "Happy", the second single from their second album, which features guest vocals from Camp Cope vocalist/guitarist Georgia "Maq" McDonald.

[74] Also in March, country music legend Billy Ray Cyrus tweeted a picture of a Hard Aches tour poster and wrote "great band.

[55] The band kicked off their album tour the same day Mess released, performing seven shows nationally, with support from Antonia & The Lazy Susans, and Sincerely, Grizzly.

I couldn’t feel stronger about advocating for safe and healthy environments for us all to celebrate our mutual love for music in.”[93] "Wasted" features Major Leagues' bassist Vlada Edirippulige,[5] and was recorded with producer Sam Johnson, and mastered by Brian Lucey from Magic Garden Mastering.

[1][96] In January 2020, The Hard Aches performed alongside Hightime, Teenage Joans, and Stabbitha & The Knifey Wifeys to raise money for South Australian charities and emergency services responding to the Black Summer bushfires.

[5][100] Featuring guest vocals from Teenage Joans' Cahli Blakers, "Party Ghost" also marked the bands first release with new member Eb Tonkin.

[5] Alongside the release of "Party Ghost", the band also announced an upcoming national tour, and that the song will serve as the lead single on their forthcoming third album.

[103] In December 2022, The Hard Aches continued the previously cancelled leg of their 'Party Ghost Tour', with performances in Sydney, Newcastle and the Gold Coast.

[119] David has stated that he is influenced by music and musicians he heard growing up, including Billy Bragg, The Clash, and The Living End's self-titled debut album.