In a time when hundreds of ‘post-punk’ and ‘punk funk’ bands inundate the charts with an ocean of repetitive riffs and deja-vu attitudes, it’s refreshing to see that, despite their obvious Clash influences, West Londoners Hard-Fi haven’t joined them, but instead took the sound of Staines and with a bit of good old ska moulded it into something original and exciting. New single Tied Up
Too Tight is set to follow the success of debut single Cash Machine, with its Specials-infused DIY sound and its desperately ‘today’ feel. “Get me out of here” screams singer Richard Archer, and how not to agree with him – when your day-to-day reality is made of careers at Tesco and your girlfriend’s unwanted pregnancy? It must feel terribly suffocating, and writing a song about is certainly a better option than taking anti-depressants. Finally, life in Middlesex won’t be an option anymore for Hard-Fi, as their growing success testifies this is a band to watch very closely in 2005.
