The Hitmen were brash, bombastic and inventive. They were also victims of their status as the first in a long line of Australian underground bands of the late '70s/early '80s to cross the battle-lines and take their rock and roll campaign to the suburbs. The Hitmen peddled a broad mix of metallic pop, flamethrower Detroit rock and re-vamped '60s standards, as well as their own wide range of originals. With their roots in the ground breaking Radio Birdman, the Hitmen sought overground success and clearly influenced dozens of bands that followed in their wake. That their status as one of the Australia's hardest-working bands never translated to huge record sales probably came down to the fact that the major labels that courted and signed the band had no idea what to do with them. But the thousands of fans whose ears they opened to new sounds did - and voted with their feet by packing venues the length and breadth of Australia.