Omar and The Howlers – Hard Times in the Land of Plenty

These guys don’t mess around. They get straight to the rock in a hurry. Omar Dykes voice is what stands out so much to me. CB sent me some links to these guys…and I enjoyed all of the songs I’ve heard. I also watched an entire live show (it’s only 27 minutes long…check it out!) with them on Austin City Limits. It was outstanding. The name of the band and the title of the song got my attention right away…and was a reason I picked this song as the first song I posted by them. I will do more in the future. 

I heard of this one before but I had no clue who did it. I sometimes use the term “working band” and this one works like crazy. They have almost 30 albums under their belt. Their first album Big Leg Beat came out in 1980 and they have been unstoppable since then. They just released an album in 2023 called What’s Buggin’ You. 

Omar Dykes wrote Hard Times in the Land of Plenty. It was released back in 1987 (I remember it on our rock station WKDF). The song peaked at #19 on the Billboard Rock Charts and was the title cut to the album. This album broke them through internationally because of the strength of this song. 

They were formed in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in 1973 by lead vocalist and guitarist Omar Dykes. In 1976, the band later moved to Austin, Texas, where they became big in the blues and rock scene. That scene included Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Johnson, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. They toured constantly and built an audience. The rest of the band left shortly after they got to Austin…back to home to Mississippi. Omar retooled the band and shortly after that released his debut album in 1980. 

They have released albums on big labels and small…their labels include Amazing, Austin, Columbia, Antone’s, Bullseye Blues, Watermelon, Black Top, Blind Pig, Provogue, Ruf Records, and their current record label, Big Guitar Music. His voice…it has a bit of John Fogerty and Brian Johnson…I love rough-edged voices in rock, pop, or country and Omar fits that perfectly. 

Another song, Rattlesnake Shake, by Omar and the Howlers.

Hard Times in the Land of Plenty

Some people have, some people have not;
Some got a little, and some got a lot.
Poor people cryin’ ’cause they ain’t got a dime,
They’re left standin’ in a welfare line…

Hard times in the land of plenty;
Some got it all and the rest… …Ain’t got any.

The taxman says you gotta pay mo’ money;
Ah when you’re already broke, you know that just ain’t funny.
You gotta rob Peter – pay back Paul;
Used ta stand up straight, but now you got to crawl.

Hard times in the land of plenty… (etc.)

Nobody knows you when your money’s gone;
Your future looks dark when your credit’s blown.
You got to hustle to stay alive;
You got to be on top if you wanna survive.

Hard times in the land of plenty;
Some got it all, and the rest…
Hard times in the land of plenty;
Some got it all, and the rest… 
…Ain’t got any.

Hard times in the land of plenty

…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

33 thoughts on “Omar and The Howlers – Hard Times in the Land of Plenty”

  2. Pingback: Omar and The Howlers – Hard Times in the Land of Plenty – MobsterTiger

      1. Lol…I was jamming to my XM stations yesterday crusin’ doin errands & I thought about ya’ when I heard some classic ‘New Wave’ favorites of mine on First Wave (channel 33) & I know that a lot of the music wasn’t music it was electronic. I can imagine your upper lip is gyrating in disapproval at the thought of electronic music…lol. We’ll have fun on our show.

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    1. It’s a good mix between the two. Like I said…I knew the song but not the band. I do love their name…you know what you are getting just by that.

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    1. Thank you! Yes…it was so nice this week. I got more done at home and work than I have in a while.
      Yea I heard the song but knew nothing until CB said something about them. No frills rock and roll band.

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  7. Hard Times is an ok piece … I’ve heard their name right back to the ’80s and may have heard a song or two in passing, but none ever stuck with me. High marks for durability and productivity though…that sounds like more albums than the Rolling Stones have!

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    1. This is the one I heard…didn’t know who did it but I liked it. They flat out were productive…and it’s rock pure and simple…no frills.

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  8. Man, they sound cool, Max. CB has done it again! 🙂

    Believe it or not, on “Hard Times in the Land of Plenty” the lead vocalist reminds me a tiny bit of John Fogerty. I love both songs you highlighted. I think Omar and the Howlers (btw, agree, great name!) go on “my list”!

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    1. Yea man it was great to hear this song again. I’m glad now I can put a band with the song. They really kick ass in all of their songs…super aggressive.

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      1. There was some great stuff like you wrote about. Omar and his Howlers weren’t pretenders. Bar gig after bar gig. Hardened experienced band. Great live. When I want some “aggressive” blues/rock he’s on the playlist.

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      2. They don’t sit on their hands that is for sure. They are all up in your face….again CB…it was the matter of picking a song…that was the hard part. I picked the one I knew best but it could have been any of them.

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    1. Yes they are…simple and no frills…and John I have a guitar player for you tomorrow who is blind…and plays the guitar like a lap steel… he can bend notes because of his leverage like no one’s business… I know you know him.

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