Hard-FI

Staines, England gave rise to Hard-Fi, whose lineup consists of Richard Archer on vocals, Ross Philips handling guitar, Kai Stephens on bass, and Steve Kemp behind the drums. The punk-inspired indie rock quintet came together in 2002 and delivers a brash blend that draws on Dexy's Midnight Runners melodies, Franz Ferdinand hooks, and the theatrics of the Dead 60s. In October 2004 the group self-released Stars of CCTV, which sold through its entire pressing of 500 copies in short order. The following June the U.K. indie imprint Necessary put out a reissue of the nine-song collection. That move once more drew notice from the British press and listening public alike. The singles "Cash Machine," "Tied Up Too Tight," and "Hard to Beat" all registered as chart hits, while U.K. concert appearances alongside the Bravery, the Kaiser Chiefs, and the Ordinary Boys proved equally well received. By the close of 2005 Hard-Fi had secured a Mercury Music Prize nomination for Stars of CCTV and had performed for crowds at Glastonbury as well as at the annual SXSW Festival in Austin, TX. Early 2006 brought two Brit Award nominations, one for Best British Group and another for Best British Rock Act. In January 2006 Stars of CCTV reached the top position on the U.K. album chart. Its American release followed in March, where it generated more modest impact yet still raised anticipation for the band’s next effort, Once Upon a Time in the West, issued in September 2007. The subsequent year the group disclosed plans to begin work on a fresh album and embarked on an extended recording schedule that involved producers including The Bird and the Bee’s Greg Kurstin. Killer Sounds was at last finished and appeared in August 2011.