Hard-Fi - Once Upon A Time In The West / Suburban Knights

Born from the kitchen sink fatalism of Staines in 2002, Hard-Fi - Richard Archer (vocals), Ross Phillips (guitar), Kai Stephens (bass) and Steven Kemp (drums) - have emerged from suburbia triumphant. After recording their dazzling debut in the ultimate brokedown palace - a dilapidated taxi rank that cost £300 in rent - it matured into a DIY triumph that propelled them into the A-list. Selling nearly 1 million UK copies and soaring to Number 1, it spurned the radio mainstay hit singles: 'Cash Machine', 'Hard To Beat' & 'Living For The Weekend'.

"I lost my dad 5 years ago and he was the one who'd always tell me to pursue my dream. He'd been working for other people his entire life and wouldn't let the bastards get him down. He inspired me to get out there and kick some arse…When we were first signed, the major labels didn't want to know," says Richard. "They mistook variety for being inconsistent - they obviously hadn't ever listened to the Clash"

Nominated for the 2005 Mercury Music Prize and Best British Group at the 2006 BRITs, their defiance paid off. In a matter of months Hard-Fi had shapeshifted into one of Britain's biggest bands. Their first major tour sold out in a record 15 minutes and saw them play London's Brixton Academy for 5 consecutive nights - making them one of the few bands to do so alongside The Clash, Bob Dylan &The Prodigy - plus the only act to do it with their debut album.
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