Hard-Fi is an English alternative rock band formed in 2003 in Staines, Surrey. They achieved chart success with their third single "Hard to Beat" and subsequent singles. Their debut album "Stars of CCTV" was released in 2005 to critical acclaim, reaching number one on the UK charts after six months. Their second album "Once Upon a Time in the West" also reached number one in the UK charts in its first week. While their third album "Killer Sounds" was less successful, only reaching number 7 on the UK album charts.

1. Artist Research
HARD-FI

2. 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”.

3. 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.

4. 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”

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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”

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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.