Artist ResearchHARD-FI

Bio

Hard-Fi are an English alternative rock band from Staines, Surrey. They formed in 2003 and consist of 4 full times member, with the lead singer being Richard Archer. Archers distinctive voice plays a key element as it separate Hard-Fi from other alternative rock bands.

Hard-Fi achieved chart success with their third single “Hard to beat” which was then followed by other successful singles such as “Cash Machine” and “Living For The Weekend”.

Bio

Debut album “Stars of CCTV” was released on July 4th 2005. NME called it album of the year and it was nominated for the Mercury Prize and two Brit Awards.

Stars of CCTV eventually reached number one six months later until January 22nd 2006.

Record History – Stars of CCTV

Stars of CCTV was released on the 4th July 2005.

The Record Label was Necessary/Atlantic and Warner Music UK.

Its highest point in the UK album charts was #1, taking about 6 months to get there mainly due to the proceeding single “Cash Machine”.

Overall reviews were good, on the website Metacritic is received a 74 /100 and NME described it as “Album of the year”

Once Upon a Time in the West

Once Upon a Time in the West was released on September 3rd 2007.

It was also released on the record label “Necessary/Atlantic and Warner Music UK.

Once Upon a Time in the West went to #1 in the UK album Charts in the first week, much quicker than Stars of CCTV.

In general Good reviews, only received 70/100 on Metacritic, 4 less than Stars of CCTV.

Killer Sounds

Killer Sounds was the third studio album by Hard-Fi.

Killer Sounds was released on 19th August in 2011

Necessary/Atlantic and Warner Music UK was also the record label.

Killer sounds was less well received and only reached 7th on the UK album charts.

Discography

As you can see the first two albums are very similar, and if you refer the band name you would know they are by the same band.

Discography

However the last album artwork does not follow this theme. This may be to represent a different style of music to the two previous albums and the band are trying to reinvent themselves.

Music Style/Influenced by?

Hard-Fi’s music style is a mix of alt rock, post punk, indie and a Clash style of punk rock.

Richard Archer has citied their influenced as dance and soul music, other inspiration comes from the genres such as ska.

Music styles varied from album to album, Stars of CCTV had very raw sounds along with loud guitars. However in Once Upon a Time in the West there was a lot more orchestration.

Music Style/Influenced By

Hard-Fi wanted to be different to other bands by relating there music to their own lives.

Hard-Fi’s lyrics are mostly based on a working class life, as seen in songs such as “Suburban Knights” – “those bills keep dropping through my door” and “Living for the Weekend” – “ive been working the week – im tired”

Chosen Genre

I believe Hard-Fi represent the chose genre well, they are an Alternative Rock band which first went commercially successful around 2005.

This means there fan base will be across generations, for example, if a 25 year old fan enjoyed Stars of CCTV when it was first released, they will be 32-33 now. Teenagers are also fans who have grown up listening to Hard-Fi

PodCast

Hard-Fi’s weekly pocast – “Hard-Fi: Rocking the City” received critical acclaimed as it was nominated for Best Podcast in 2007.

Here is an example of the Podcast.

Attitude/Image

Hard-Fi’s members come from a working class area in surrey and are proud if their roots, therefore they like to represent working class lives in their lyrics.

You also get the impression that Hard-Fi have a genuine love for Music and do not care about Fame as they have played secret, sold out gigs in the past.