HARD FI | Facebook

Website:	http://WWW.HARD-FI.COM http://WWW.ISHALLOVERCOME.COM
Current Location:	UNITED KINGDOM
Influences:	The Clash, Northern Soul, Ska & Reggae
Biography:	Hard-Fi are at a dramatic new apex in their career. Critically acclaimed, commercially successful and tower block tall, the West London four-piece continue to reinvigorate music with raw, category-defying sounds and instant, merciless beats. Neither bound by musical restriction or industry expectation, they follow their blazing, genre-defining Number 1 debut ‘Stars of CCTV’ with the Number 1 smash-hit ‘Once Upon A Time In The West’. In short, Hard-Fi are the sound of now. Written by frontman Richard Archer and co-produced by Richard with Wolsey White, it’s a landmark LP of scopic, wide-eyed, unrepressed tracks. Mixed by Spike Stent (U2, Bjork & Madonna), it’s their second studio album and their most cohesive, definitive release to date. Boasting 11 killer anthems, including the blistering lead single ‘Suburban Knights’, it’s truly hard to beat. Born from the kitchen sink fatalism of Staines in 2002, Hard-Fi - Richard Archer (vocals), Ross Phillips (guitar), Kai Stephens (bass) and Steven Kemp (drums) - have emerged from suburbia triumphant. After recording their dazzling debut in the ultimate brokedown palace – a dilapidated taxi rank that cost £300 in rent – it matured into a DIY triumph that propelled them into the A-list. Selling nearly 1 million UK copies and soaring to Number 1, it spurned the radio mainstay hit singles: ‘Cash Machine’, ‘Hard To Beat’ & ‘Living For The Weekend’. “I lost my dad 5 years ago and he was the one who’d always tell me to pursue my dream. He’d been working for other people his entire life and wouldn’t let the bastards get him down. He inspired me to get out there and kick some arse…When we were first signed, the major labels didn’t want to know,” says Richard. “They mistook variety for being inconsistent - they obviously hadn’t ever listened to the Clash” Nominated for the 2005 Mercury Music Prize and Best British Group at the 2006 BRITs, their defiance paid off. In a matter of months Hard-Fi had shapeshifted into one of Britain’s biggest bands. Their first major tour sold out in a record 15 minutes and saw them play London's Brixton Academy for 5 consecutive nights - making them one of the few bands to do so alongside The Clash, Bob Dylan &The Prodigy - plus the only act to do it with their debut album. “Whenever I think of a great British band – The Rolling Stones, The Specials, Massive Attack - they're not just a rock band," Richard explains. "At the end of the day we're a rock'n'roll band but we listen to hip-hop, we listen to house music, we listen to dub and reggae and we're not afraid to introduce that.” P.T.O “We’ve learnt a lot in the making of this record. People say that debut albums are always the best because you have a lifetime of experience to pour into them, but that’s bullshit. The last three years have been like 20 years compressed.” “Before we started the LP, I wanted to make something that sounded dark, atmospheric with elements of the Clash and The Stones – and we’ve really fucking nailed that. CCTV was put it on and turn it up, this is sharper, more tactical and raw.” “We were tempted to fuck off and record it abroad, but it didn’t seem appropriate,” says Richard. “We looked around at other UK studios, but decided that everyone else records there…and we definitely didn’t want to sound like everyone else. Ultimately, nothing really made us feel comfortable but, saying that, recording in Staines was anything but comfortable – we returned to our converted taxi office, which didn’t have running water until halfway through. It was more the fact that we could do what we wanted. We used bigger studios to mix, but conceived it in our natural environment.” “The first album came together in stages – track, EP, mini album then album - so this felt like the first time we truly made a record,” he adds. “It’s like anything we do, it’s never contrived. It’s just what comes out. There are still elements of CCTV- style social commentary, but it’s more subtle and integrated. The 11 tracks are simply the best ones written, and they just happened to mean something.” “We were on tour and watching ‘Once Upon A Time In The West’ while on the bus. Ultimately, that title reflected the theme of the album – these are stories from our west, West London”. Standout tracks include the 70’s SKA-inspired ‘We Need Love’, and ‘Tonight’. “The latter is a big piano-driven number – it had a few incarnations before it became what it is, but it’s about the possibility of night time. History is made at night.” Meanwhile, the former harks back to the Specials and was inspired by Billy Bragg’s acclaimed novella ‘The Progressive Patriot’. Other highlights include the rousing R&B swagger of ‘Can’t Get Along’ with its stomping Motown lilt, the stark fragility of ‘Help Me Please’ – a track written about the death of Richard’s mother – plus, ‘I Shall Overcome’ which echoes an early Clash while remaining truly, unmistakably Hard-Fi, and the lead single ‘Suburban Knights’. (read less) Hard-Fi are at a dramatic new apex in their career. Critically acclaimed, commercially successful and tower block tall, the West London four-piece continue to reinvigorate music with raw, category-defying sounds and instant, merciless beats. Neither bound by musical restriction or industry expectation, they follow their blazing, genre-defining Number 1 debut ‘Stars of CCTV’ with the Number 1 smash-hit ‘Once Upon A Time In The West’. In short, Hard-Fi are the sound of now. Written by frontman... (read more)

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PUB QUIZ! RICH´s NEW BLOG!

25 Sep 2008

PUB QUIZ! RICH´s NEW BLOG

So we were sat in the pub the other day 'hard at work' on the next album when talk turned to women in rock - as it does - and the age old question..

Continue Reading...|3 comments|2:58pm Sep 25

• Blogging Whilst Logging! New blog from Kai.|1:23pm Aug 30|1 comment
• Ross gets lost in translation!|6:26pm Jul 31

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SHOW ME THE KIMCHI

3:24 Added about a month ago

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HARD-FI ROCK FUJI ROCK

4:59 Added about a month ago

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Hard-Fi in Dublin (1)

by Vanessa

0:52 Added about 6 months ago

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Hard-Fi's iCast

Pub Quiz! RICH`s New Blog
2:55pm on September 25, 2008

25 Sep 2008

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25 Sep 2008

So we were sat in the pub the other day 'hard at work' on the next album when talk turned to women in rock - as it does - and the age old question.. 'Who is the coolest looking woman with a guitar?' The obvious ones came up Chrissie Hynde, PJ Harvey even a shout from Wolsey for Suzi Quatro. Steve chipped in with Kim Deal, The Slits and Kelly Johnson from Girlschool. I'm not sure about Kim Deal, yes she's been behind some great and influential music but does she look that great with a guitar? Not everybody does - I freely admit I don't look that great behind one, I think it's because i'm a bit too tall... Maybe I just haven't found the right axe yet!? However that did get me thinking about other bands coming out of that leftfield US scene D'Arcy Wretzky from Smashing Pumpkins, but did she just look hot and that's clouding my judgement? No she looked good, as did Melissa Auf Der Maur who came in after her from Hole (Steve had already made another worthy suggestion with Courtney Love) .
It wasn't that surprising since, not that long ago Kai thrust a grubby dvd of The Cramps live into my hand with a nudge and a wink, that he should make a great call with Poison Ivy Rorschach. A friend of ours chipped in that Patti Smith looked great when she slung on a Rickenbecker and that at Reading this year (on a more contemporary note) Charlotte from The Subways was having it. Speaking of Charlotte's - what about Charlotte Hatheley? The chick from Ash who went solo?

Then Ross came in with what looked like four aces... Vixen! Cool down boy!

I my honest opinion though you can't argue with Sister Rossetta Tharpe - check out the footage at this link..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeaBNAXfHfQ

Hang on for the solo at 1min 25s

I first saw this at the Stax museum in Memphis when we were there earlier this year, it's a bit like your mum coming in with a Gibson SG and knocking out licks like she's been playing all her life... Seriously inspirational - who says the Devil has all the best tunes??

Let us know your thoughts and suggestions and stay tuned for our next late night discussion (they should be screened on BBC4 and hosted by Verity Sharp) which will either be 'What's the best biscuit for dunking in tea (rich tea of course)', 'Who's round is it?(not mine)' or 'Best tank in WWII?(surely the T-34!?)'

hasta luego!

Rich.

www.hard-fi.com
www.youtube.com/hardfiband
http://www.ilike.com/artist/Hard-Fi
http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/HARD-FI/24999265236
http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/HARD-FI-en-Espanol/17352909258

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HARD-FI in SPIN: The Art Of Cover Design
12:15pm on September 8, 2008

GQ Editor Dylan Jones, The Horrors' Faris Rotter and designer Peter Saville have selected some of the most iconic cover art of the last four decades to appear in Spin. A unique examination of the art of the record cover, Spin will open up an often forgotten side of the music industry, to explore the fascinating relationship between art, design and music. They chose an eclectic array of albums stretching ac...

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New blog from Kai...
9:50am on September 3, 2008

Blogging Whilst Logging!

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Blogging Whilst Logging!

Hi everyone, how have you been ?
Thought I'd drop y'all a note to keep you in tabs of how it's rollin'. It's been a great summer for us, we've had time and space to breath, take stock, re-group (such as go on a jolly up to the Formula 1 of Europe in Valencia), renovate the studio and prepare ourselves to make the best effort towards making Hard-Fi 's 3rd Album.

Festivals ! Have there been noticable sound volume restrictions? I ask, based on reports from Glastonbury and Reading.. ? rant ! discuss.
Whatever ... Fuji Rock is off the hook by the way.... the location inspires you and from everything the fesitval has to offer, it leaves you with no choice but to have a good time... I recommend ! But if you are really up for a ' no holds barred ' audience festival experience, then go to Korea for the Pentaport Festival, they really know how to enjoy themselves !
Back at home and to July, Guilfest was my highlight. What a great festival ! The line up was chokka with new and local bands, it has a pumping dance/chill vibe area, a moody rock tent, a presence of world vibes, and heavy blues and folk leanings (roots)... it was hard not to stumble across a gem. Anyway, i was armed with an AAA pass ( got connections now, see ?) and made efforts to be conveniently hanging around at backstage areas in order to say Hi to Mick, Tony and Leo from Carbon/Silicon, to meet the infamous Anton Newcombe a' la The Brian Jonestown Massacre and maybe(possibly) meet Debbie Harry and Blondie. With success too.. It was good be on the other side, I was star struck at Debbie ( I mean wow ! ), was in awe of Anton's unrepentant, unforgiving yet beautiful madness and was made up to see Phil and the Carbon/Silicon boys. ( and I also blagged some meal tickets from the production office in pretense of being with Dodgy's crew... see what I did there ? Ay ? )
Despite the inevitable, irreversible shell shock, excitement and double reverse drunken jet lag trauma caused by our trip far east, we picked ourselves up to attend an invitation to Valencia as guests of The Red Bull Racing Formula 1 Team for the Grand Prix of Europe . Ross is my hero for this. He made some friends one night at Paul Weller's book launch at the Paul Smith shop in Covent Garden.. and say know more... apart from ' bring your band, all good, we'll look after you ' . We spent saturday in Team Red Bull's garage and pit area for qualifying and then afterwards (at our complete surprise ) got taken on a 2 hour jaunt on the ' Victory Challenge ' Americas Cup yacht.. unbelievable ! a one off experience ! On Sunday we met David Coulthard, Mark Webber and the young ' hot stuff ' that is Sebastian Vettel prior to the race. Check for new photo additions on the website...
I won't mention the parties... whoa...
... Err, And yesterday, at Cherry Lips, we did a full stock check and compiled an inventory of all our equipment... back to reality ! Amps, guitars, mics, effects units, sound desks, leads, carpet.. blimey, right down to the last tea bag ! For insurance purposes you see ! The used teabags from Ross's famous podcast are valued at.... I'm sure you're not interested in that.. but it does remind me, time to put the kettle on !
And for an added titbit, I've got ' White Denim ' on my player right now... yes ! retro, but hard and fresh. And i've got my eye on a band called ' Zodiac N black ' too, heavy prog rock outfit from london.. in growing stages but oozing talent and potential... No one tells me what to fuckin listen to !

So.. err, where was I ? oh yeh, There's only love here, from us to you. X and if you want some, are fukin do ya

'Til next time.

Kai

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Veronique wrote at 2:28pm on October 6th, 2008

No Africa Express for Hard-fi at Koko?

Melissa wrote at 9:56am on August 29th, 2008

so much love for you boys. ♥

Tee wrote at 1:36pm on August 4th, 2008

Great to have you lads safely back in Blighty!

T

Eric wrote at 10:39pm on July 25th, 2008

Hey I made a Kai Stephens Fan Club group here on Facebook, I would like it if some people joined it.

Yuri wrote at 9:08pm on July 4th, 2008

will you really come to korea ?
that's fantastic! x] i will look forward it. ♥

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September 15

HARD FI uploaded a new video.

Sep 15th at 8:20am

SHOW ME THE KIMCHI

3:24 Added about a month ago

September 8

HARD FI uploaded a new video.

Sep 8th at 12:22pm

HARD-FI ROCK FUJI ROCK

4:59 Added about a month ago

August 30

HARD FI wrote a note.

Aug 30th at 1:23pm

Blogging Whilst Logging! New blog from Kai.

Blogging Whilst Logging! New blog from Kai.

Hi everyone, how have you been ?
Thought I'd drop y'all a note to keep you in tabs of how it's rollin'.

July 31

HARD FI wrote a note.

Jul 31st at 6:26pm

Ross gets lost in translation!

Alright everyone. I hope you are all very well. We have just got back from a flying visit to the far East so feeling a bit wrecked.
Our first show was at the Fuji rocks festival.