Written by frontman Richard Archer and co-produced by Richard with Wolsey White, it's an LP of landmark, category-defying tracks. Mixed by Spike Stent (U2, Bjork & Madonna), it ups the ante from 2005's impressive Number 1 debut 'Stars of CCTV', which sold almost 1 million UK copies and propelled the band into the A-list with both BRIT and Mercury Music Prize Award nominations. Once again, the new album was recorded in their converted taxi-office studio in Staines. "We were tempted to fuck off and record it abroad, but it didnıt seem appropriate," says Richard. "We looked around at other UK studios, but decided that everyone else records thereand 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 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. "Itıs like anything we do, itıs never contrived. Itıs just what comes out. There are still elements of CCTV- style social commentary, but it's more subtle and integrated. The 12 tracks are simply the best ones written, and they just happened to mean something. On the whole it's deeper, darker and more expansive. The other was switch it on, turn it up, this has more room to breathe."
Instantaneous and razor-sharp, 'Once Upon A Time In The West' pulses with the electric buzz and guitar-driven base youıd expect from the acclaimed four-piece, only bolder, harder and faster. "We were sick of turning on the TV and seeing indie rock kids in indentikit outfits, all sounding like their peers. We were determined to make the music we wanted. Itıs not about contemporaries, itıs about putting good music into our context."
And thatıs exactly what theyıve done. Highlights include the rousing R&B swagger of 'Canıt Get Along' with its stomping Motown lilt, the stark fragility of 'Help Me Please' a track written about the death of Richardıs mother plus, 'I Shall Overcome' which echoes an early Clash while remaining truly, unmistakably Hard-Fi, and the lead single 'Suburban Knights'.
"We were thinking about all those Londoners with more money than sense who mock the suburbs," says frontman Richard Archer. "This is our fuck-off retort. Most ideas come out of the suburbs and get taken to the city in the final stages, so 'Suburban Knights' reflects that. This is a day in the life. These are our lives, so don't look down on us for it."
Other standout tracks include the 70ıs 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'. "To be English means youıve come from all over the place. So, ultimately, itıs about not wanting division."
And the epic scale title? "It deliberately suggests a grandeur," admits Richard, "but itıs also about being from West London. No question. These are stories from our homeland, but also stories with universal relevance. Just like the album."
25/5/07
HARD-FI IN THE STUDIO
Hard-Fi are currently putting the finishing touches to the follow up to their platinum selling "Stars Of CCTV" debut album. The band have been working hard over last few months and the early demos are sounding excellent. Make sure you keep checking their website for more information, and the regular podcast and updates from the band.
http://www.hard-fi.com.
24/5/07
DISTOPHIA
Firstly, appologies to all the Distophia fans for the problems we have had actually getting the Distophia single and album released. This is down to many things, but they are behind us now and Distophia are now rehearsing with a slightly different line-up, for new gigs and the release of the album "Beat Dyslexia". Please keep checking their website and myspace, over the following months for more information. Again we would like to apologies to everyone for the delays.
12/3/07
DISTOPHIA LIVE IN LONDON!
Distophia play the Rock Sound night at the Water Rats, 328 Grays Inn Road, Kings Cross, London, on Wednesday 14th of March. Other bands on the night include, This City, The Disappointments and Trencher.
Entrance is £7 or £6 with a flyer from http://www.clubfandango.co.uk.
14/2/07
NEW DISTOPHIA LIVE DATES
With the release of their new single, Robert Redford immanent, Distophia are playing a number of live dates around the country over the next few months.
The dates and venues are as follows -
6/3/07 Actress & Bishop, 36 Ludgate Hill, St Pauls, Birmingham B3 1EH. Playing with Johnny Foreigner and Go Faster.
14/3/07 Club Fandango, The Water Rats, 328 Grays Inn Road, Kings Coss, London WC1X 8BZ. Playing with This City and The Disappontments.
17//07 City Screen Picturehouse Basement Bar, York YO1 9QL.
23/3/07 The Fat Surfer, 79 London Raod, Grays, Essex RM17 5YF. Playing with Burma Guns.
12/4/07 Go Ape! Moles, 14 George Street, Bath BA1 2EN.
5/5/07 Gonzo Club, Liberal/Club Odyssey, Mount Pleasant, Redditch, Midlands. Playing with The Labels.
Any more gigs will be posted up as soon as they are confirmed. Please check Distophias myspace page for more info.
http://www.myspace.com/distophia.
20/1/07
DISTOPHIA PLAY LIVE IN LONDON
Distophia will be playing live on Jan 24th at The Fly, 36-38 New Oxford St London WC1A.
Doors open at 8pm, band on at 9.15. Also on the bill are Bono Must Die and The Fourtyfives.
30/11/06
HARD-FI PODCAST IS HERE
You can now subscribe to the Hard-Fi podcast through iTunes. For more information please see
http://www.hard-fi.com.
29/11/06
DISTOPHIA BACK LIVE!
Distophia will be playing 2 gigs in December. One on Friday Dec 1st at the Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham, alongside Johnny Foreigner, £1 entry. Then the second gig will on Wednesday 20th at the Jug Of Ale, also in Birmingham. Make sure to catch them live!
24/11/06
HARD-FI PODCAST
The new Hard-Fi podcasts will be available very soon. These will cover the May Tour, playing live gigs with their heroes such as Paul Weller and Mick Jones, the Japan and Australia tour and will go on to follow the recording of the new album.
MAke sure to suscribe to the Hard-Fi podcasts through iTunes.
10/1/06
DISTOPHIA IN USA ROCKS TODAY
Distophia have been listed as the most exciting new British band and ones to watch for 2007, in American magazine USA Rocks Today. More proof Distophia are one of the best up and coming bands, check out the magazine, if you can find it!
1/11/06
HARD-FI START WORK ON NEW ALBUM
Hard-Fi hve now started work on the follow up to their million selling debut album, Stars Of CCTV. They are currently locked up in the infamous Cherry Lips studio's working hard on the new songs. Look out for more album news in the forthcoming podcasts.
26/10/06
RICHARD ARCHER & PAUL WELLER GET ELECTRIC
Last night Rich from Hard-Fi performed with the legendary Paul Weller at his BBC Electric Proms gig. They performed two the Jam classics That's Entertainment, and then to close the show they played Down At The Tube Station At Midnight. This was the first time, since being in the Jam, that Weller had perfromed this song.
For more information go to
http://www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms/paulweller/.
25/9/06
DISTOPHIA JOG ON!
Distophia play the Jog On night at the Islington Bar Academy this week, Thursday 28th Sept. Playing songs from their forthcoming album, Beat Dyslexia, which is release next month.
Other bands on the bill are the Latter Day Saints and the Faye Wrays. Open form 7-11, Distophia are on stage at 9. Tickets £6 in advance.
http://www.islington-academy.co.uk/listings.php.
23/6/06
Distophia In Rock Sound
In the latest edition of Rock Sound Magazine, the July issue, John from Distophia answers a few questions about their album, life on the road and their current tour with Fickle Public. So go buy a copy now! Also check out
http://www.rock-sound.net.
8/6/06
Distophia Out On Tour
From this Friday, 9th June, Distophia will be hooking up with Fickle Public to do a few dates up in Scotland, with a brace of English dates taking place about a week later.
Full dates are as follows
9TH JUNE -GLASGOW,Barfly
10TH JUNE - INVERNESS, The Raigmore
11TH JUNE - EDINBURGH, Cabaret Voltaire
21st JUNE - LONDON, Water Rats
22nd JUNE - SWINDON, The Vic
23rd JUNE - DEVIZES, The Bell By The Green
24th JUNE - BRISTOL, The Louisiana
For more information please visit www.distophia.com
7/6/06
Hard-Fi Hit America!
Hard-Fi will bedoing a promotional tour of the U.S starting from the 9th of June. They will be playing and talking to radio stations out there and will be performing on the infamous Jay Leno show on the 13th of June. Please check www.hard-fi.com for more information.
8/3/06
Distophia Live in London
Distophia are playing Nambucca in London on March 13th, support comes from Kill Kenda and Operation Wolf. Doors open at 7.30, cost is £4 or £3 with flyer/NUS. Thats Nambucca, 596 Holloway Road, London N7 6LB. 020 7272 7366, nearest tubes Archway or Holloway Road.
3/3/06
DISTOPHIA CANCEL SHOWS
Sadly due to Pete from the band having tonsillitis, Distophia have had to cancel their remaining two dates supporting Boy Kill Boy. These are the 4th at Bristol and the 5th at Nottingham, we are all very sorry but sadly this cannot be helped. Get well soon Pete!
2/3/06
SNOOZER MAGAZINE JAPAN
Hard-Fi have been going down a storm in Japan, Snoozer Magazine, one of Japans biggest magazine has recently voted Stars Of CCTV album of 2005 and Hard To Beat single of 2005. Beating the likes of MIA, LCD Soundsystem and Babyshambles for album of the year and the Arctic Monkey's "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor", for single of the year. As if this wasn't enough, in the same issue of the Snoozer, the results of their Readers Poll were in and Hard-Fi came top in Best New Act and Best Art Work for Stars Of CCTV album cover.The band would like to thank all the Japanese fan's for their amazing support and would like to thank Snoozer Magazine.
23/1/06
STARS OF CCTV - NUMBER ONE IN THE ALBUM CHARTS
It was annouced yesterday evening that Hard-Fi's debut album has reached the number 1 position in the UK album charts. The album has now sold over 50000 copies, which is just amazing, so thank you to everyone who has gone out and bought a copy.
The album cover design has also been praised, winning album cover of the year in The Independent, the paper said, "The Hard-Fi album is an image you see every day. It's a piece of marketing genius."
11/1/06
Hard-Fi nominated for 2 Brit Awards.
It has been announced that Hard-Fi have been nominated for Best British Group, along with the Kaiser Chiefs, Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand and The Gorillaz, and also Best Rock Act, along with again Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Cheifs, Kasabian and Oasis. The Brit Awards ceremony takes places on Feb 15th.
9/1/06
New Distophia dates.
26th Jan - Swindon
31st Jan - Norwich (TBC)
18th March - Derby.
6/1/06
Stars Of CCTV goes Platinum
26 weeks after Stars Of CCTV was released, the album has reach its highest chart position, number 4 and has now gone platinum. This means Hard-Fiıs debut album has sold more than the debutıs by The Killers, Kings of Leon, Maximo Park, The Zutons, Bloc Party and Oasis.The band would like to thank each and every one of you for making this all possible. 2006, year of the Fi.
14/12/05
Distophia live!
Tonight, Wednesday 14th Dec, you can catch Distophia headlining at the Jug Of Ale, Moseley, Birmingham.Other bands playing are Murdoch & Dirty Soul. Doors: 8:30, admission £1.50.
13/12/05
Hard-Fi play the NME Shockwave Tour
If you didn't get a chance to see them on their recent uk tour, Hard-Fi will be playing Hammersmith Palais on Feb 13th as part of the NME Shockwave Awards tour. Support comes from Boy Kill Boy and The Duels, tickets are on sale now and selling fast! So either ring 0870 1 663 663 or go to.
http://www.nme.com/news/streets/21748.
8/12/05
Hard-Fi Cash Machine
Hard-Fi's new single, Cash Machine is released on December 26th. The release features an excellent new remix by the one and only Roots Manuva, taking Hard-Fi into dub hip hop territory. So make sure you save up your xmas money and rush out and grab the single.
7/12/05
WrongTom on your radio!
Hard-Fi official tour DJ, WrongTom will be providng an hour long mix for the XFM show The Rinse, presented by James Hyman. The mix will be aired between 1 and 3 am on December 30th. If you have enjoyed the music played at the Hard-Fi gigs then you need to check this mix out. for more information go to
http://www.xfm.co.uk/article.asp?id=5285
2/12/05
The new Hard-Fi UK tour is now underway and going well, please check www.hard-fi.com for more information. You can also catch Distophia supporting Hard-Fi on the following dates Dec 3rd Sheffield, 6th Manchester, 7th Wolverhampton, 8th Nottingham, 10th London and the 18th in Oxford.
Distophia are currently putting the finishing touches to their next single "Robert Redford" and finishing off their album "Beat Dyslexia", look out for more info in the new year.
11/11/05
Hard-Fi play XFM's Winter Wonderland
Xfm and Metro newspaper present Xfm's Winter Wonderland in aid of Shelter at Carling Academy Brixton Sunday, 11th December
Kaiser Chiefs
Hard-Fi
Maximo Park
Editors
The Dead 60s
Xfm Rock School winner
Tickets are £20 each and are available from XFM Xchange on 0871 222 1049, www.xfm.co.uk/gigs, the Bixton Academy box office 0870 771 2000 and all the usual outlets.
For more information click here.
http://www.xfm.co.uk/winterwonderland
3/11/05
Hard-Fi Q Magazine Feature
In this months Q Magazine there is a indepth interview and feature on Hard-Fi. There are also not een before photos of the band performing with the legendary Specials, at the Love Music Hate Racism gig.
Hard-Fi are now coming to the end of their first sold out UK tour. On behalf of the band we would like to thank everyone of you who made it along to the shows. It has been an amazing tour and we hope you all enjoyed it as much as the band did.
The next tour kicks off on December 1st, and in the mean time Hard-Fi will be in France and Japan.
2/11/05
New Channel 4 magazine Ten4
Channel 4 have launched a new magazine in conjunction with their Ideas Factory, the first issue, out now, has a feature on the music scene in Brimingham. Distophia feature quite heavily in this article, giving advice and general talking about the state of music in Birimingham today. Click the this link to read the article and find out about Ten4.
http://www.channel4.com/ten4
27/10/05
Distophia live in Birmingham
Distophia play the Brimingham Barfly on Sunday the 6th of November, supporting Polysics. Also playing on the night are Sabotage Left, admission is £10 and it all kicks off at 7.30. Follow the link below for more information.
http://www.barflyclub.com/whatson/default.asp?vn=8
21/10/05
Hard-Fi sell out UK tour
Hard-Fi are currently touring the UK, so far the have played Bristol, Oxford, Bournemouth, Northampton and of course London. All the gigs have been amazing, the band could not be happier. Thanks to all the fans who have come down and made the shows so great.
If you are attending the Nottingham show tonight, or Liverpool on the 29th Oct, or Manchester on the 30th Oct, or Cambridge on the 2nd of Nov, make sure you come down early to see Distophia, Hard-Fi's Necessary Records label mates. Distophia have been going down really well at every show they have played, so don't miss out.
18/10/05
We're big in Japan
We have just heard that Hard-Fi are now number 3 on the airplay charts in Japan! This is amazing news, and the band are really looking forward to playing over there and meeting all the great fans.
23/9/05
Vote for Hard-Fi in the Q Awards
Yes people, this is your chance to show the world how much you love Hard-Fi. If you want the Fi to be up there with previous Q award winners, such as Razorlight, Franz Ferdinand, U2 & Elton John, simply follow the link below and cast your vote!
What better way is there to show your much appreciated support.
http://promo.q4music.com/qawards/2005/qawards2005.htm
9/9/05
Love Music Hate Racism.
Hard-Fi will be playing an exclusive set at London's Scala for the premiere of
Love Music Hate Racism's "Who Shot The Sheriff". This will be on th 15th of September, the show starts at 7.30. For more information on the gig and Love Music Hate Racism please visit www.lmhr.org.uk
8/9/05
Distophia live in London.
Monday the 12th September, Distophia will be playing the London Now Breakthrough Festival, at the famous Marquee Club, Leicester Square.
The other bands on the bill are The Mad Staring Eyes, Brinkman and Soda Red. Entry cost £6/£5 cons. and Distophia will be on stage at 9.15.
Hard-Fi miss out on the Mercury Prize by 1 vote.
Yes its true, the boys missed out on winner the award by one vote, obviously it would have been great to win, but everyone is happy and our congratulations go out to Anthony & The Johnsons for winning.
19/7/05
Hard-Fi "Stars Of C.C.T.V" album has been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. It is truley amazing and a great honour for Hard-Fi to be up for this award, obviously it would be very nice to win, but simply being nominated is more than enough.
Other nominies include Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, M.I.A and Coldplay.
The Fi are currently playing live dates around the U.S, and just this week played two shows in New York City. This is their first proper tour in America and things seem to be shaping up nicely. Check the Hard-Fi website for dates.
17/7/05
Hard-Fi number 6 in the album charts!
We want to thank everyone who has gone out and bought the "Stars Of C.C.T.V" album, going top 10 is amazing. Thank you to all the Hard-Fi and Necessary fans and supporters out there. It just goes to shows that Hard-Fi are rapidly becoming one of the nations favourite bands, world domination is next.
6/7/05
Distophia recently recorded a live session for the XFM X-Posure part 1 show. If you missed the broadcast, you can listen to the tracks through the XFM website, follow this link
http://www.xfm.co.uk/Article.asp?id=96841
5/7/05
To celebrate the release of their Stars of CCTV album, Hard-Fi have announced a surpise London gig.
It will take place at Neighbourhood, 12 Acklam Road, London W10 on Wednesday July 13. Ticket cost £10 (subject to booking fee) from all the usual agents. However as a thank you to all the fans expecting to see the band at Glastonbury, anybody who attends the show and produces their Glastonbury ticket or wristband will receive a £5 refund.
4/7/05
Hard-Fi's debut album "Stars Of CCTV" is released today!
"Defining a generation...album of the year" the NME.
30/6/05
Distophia release their new single "Children Know The Score", the Cd single contains 2 new songs, "Starvation Cove" and the exclusive to this single track, "The Past Is An Albatross".
Follow this link to own your very own copy
http://www.puregroove.co.uk/search.asp?Search=distophia
6/6/05
Hard-Fi have been asked to support Green Day at Milton Keynes Bowl on Sat 18th June and Sun 19th June, onstage at 4.50pm.
They are also on T4 on The Beach, Weston-Super-Mare, the morning of Sunday 19th June.
1/6/05
Distophia dates added. Metro Club, London 10pm on Weds 8th June, Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham 17th June and Bull and Gate, Camden 30th June.
New video added to Scuzz TV.
31/5/05
Hard-Fi Play Glastonbury on Sat 25th June 10pm Leftfield Stage and 2.40pm John Peel Stage on Sunday 26th June.
13/5/05
Distophia Headline Water Rats, London 23rd May 10pm and Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham on 17th May.
Hard-Fi on "Later with..." Tonight BBC2.
10/5/05
Distophia "Children Know The Score" video added to MTV2. Check out video at www.distophia.com
Hard-Fi Video "Hard To Beat" Added to MTV2
1/5/05
"Children Know the Score" on Zane Lowe Radio One show.
28/4/05
"Hard To Beat" Hard-Fi, Released 20/6/05.
23/4/05
"Hard To Beat" Hard-Fi, Hottest Record In The World", Zane Lowe, Radio One.
20/4/05
Hard-Fi's Kings College, London show 23rd June - SOLD OUT.
18/4/05
Hard-Fi "TIED UP TOO TIGHT" OUT TODAY!! CD, Numbered 7" Coloured Vinyl (with Dub of & Nation Army) and Limited DJ 10" Vinyl.
Available in HMV, Virgin and all good shops!