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Hard Fi

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09:05 / 15.12.05

Anybody feeling these London rockers?

I've only heard 'Cash Machine' which I really (really) like...the bassline is definitely ripped off a rare groove tune from the mid-80's, can't think what, but it works like a total blinder in it's new durrty context...Really liking the tune.

Anybody got the album? Comments?

17:09 / 15.12.05

The bastard singer plays a melodica! (for like, two seconds) Yet another band stealing my precious instrument and making it trendy so that when my band plays people will think that we're just trying to be trendy.

hrmph.

19:49 / 15.12.05

'Hard To Beat' described by Simon 'leave the country, Simon... no, honestly, it's really for the best if you do' Price in the IOS as a rave tune played on indie instruments is ok, I think, but it's the best thing on there by a bit of a stretch, IMVHO.

I'd spend the tenner or so on drugs instead, were I you.

And mono, don't worry - having heard both the CDs in question, I can pretty much categorically say that the Morning Bride one's just better.

foot long subbacultcha

09:39 / 16.12.05

I remember seeing them at Camden Crawl (fond memory, Meem?) and all I could summon up in reaction was saying "chav rock" out loud. The term appeared in the press shortly afterwards so at least they have some kind of consistent effect. I quite like "Hard to Beat" but was quite offended when I saw the video. White girl ends up with white boy. Black girl with Black boy. Brown girl with brown boy. Staines rules ok.

Regrettable Juvenilia

09:57 / 16.12.05

What did you mean by the term "chav rock"?

foot long subbacultcha

10:06 / 16.12.05

I was reacting to what I could make out from the lyrics. Something about cash machines. I couldn't help being reminded of my days living in Slough, running the gauntlet of the high street. Not sure why else I thought of it. I'm not even sure I know what it means. I don't think there's anything wrong with making up words like that, though, as long as you're prepared to throw them away after you're done. Otherwise I'd be stuck for something to say.

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

10:23 / 16.12.05

lord nuneaton savage

10:28 / 16.12.05

I quite liked "Hard to Beat". It was definitely one of those records that seemed to be everywhere last summer and thus reminds me of some fast times. I must say I find that rest of their stuff a bit average though.

My main problem is the singer. He constantly makes this face in their videos that I think is meant to suggest "attitude" but which comes as "trying a bit too hard". He looks like he's acting (badly) at being in a rock'n'roll band. I find it so off-putting that I can't concentrate on the music. I have a feeling that might be just me though.

Regrettable Juvenilia

12:51 / 16.12.05

I was reacting to what I could make out from the lyrics. Something about cash machines.

What? I'm afraid I'm lost: what do cash machines have to do with "chav rock" - as far as I'm aware, use of cash machines is not limited to people who are referred to using the slur "chav" - unless I've missed a trick and in order to be acceptably middle-class I should have been keeping my money in a box under my bed. I'm also confused because I don't know whether you're saying that Hard-Fi are "chav rock" because they sing about "chavs" or because their lyrical concerns reveal them to be "chavs". Please explain.

Then again...

Not sure why else I thought of it. I'm not even sure I know what it means. I don't think there's anything wrong with making up words like that, though, as long as you're prepared to throw them away after you're done. Otherwise I'd be stuck for something to say.

If you're simply on a Tourette's-flavoured one-person war against coherence and the English language, maybe I'd better leave you to it. A word of warning, though: barking out slurs in response to pop music is probably not a good idea in public.

13:07 / 16.12.05

Off-topic but...

Someone I know called themselves an "indie-chav" when I asked them what music they were listening to.

I didn't understand then, and still do not.

I suppose if people can say that an "indie-yuppie" exists, I suppose an "indie-chav" can exist too, although I'd appreciate an explanation from someone in the know.

To bring this kinda back to topic, my "indie-chav" friend's favourite band of the moment is "Hard-Fi". Is this just an "NME-ism" that I've missed because I don't read that mag?

14:15 / 16.12.05

I remember all too clearly, Subbacultcha. They were fucking awful. I remember your "Chav-Rock" comment too. I hope you realise what you're getting into here...

I was accosted on Brick Lane the other week by people trying to lure passersby into a free gig with Hard-Fi playing. My friend signed away his details for a pass (unused), but I just kept telling the people with the clipboards that "they're rubbish!". The man said he used to think so too before he saw them live. I assured him I had made the opposite decision, whilst waiting for The Wedding Present to come on. "Oh, I've not heard of them" he said. Bah, the youth of today...

foot long subbacultcha

11:22 / 17.12.05

barking out slurs in response to pop music is probably not a good idea in public.

But people get paid to do that. And pop musicians do it, too!

Is "chav" a slur? I use the term affectionately myself, the same way I do "goth" or "punk". It's not fair to label something so easily, agreed. It's a short cut. Any chance of getting away with it?

11:48 / 17.12.05

Not really. The latter two refer to subcultures, broadly, and the former to financial standing and ancillary things like manner of dress, etc.

The word makes me angry too.

There's a Hard-Fi song on FIFA06, which I think's okay, but then I might be thinking of something else.

All Acting Regiment

15:26 / 17.12.05

a) Is "chav" a slur? I use the term affectionately myself, the same way I do "goth" or "punk". It's not fair to label something so easily, agreed. It's a short cut. Any chance of getting away with it?

b) Not really. The latter two refer to subcultures, broadly, and the former to financial standing and ancillary things like manner of dress, etc.

While I and most people here hate people cacking on about "the Chavs", a la Esther Rantzen or chavscum.co.uk, I think some people aren't aware of the full implications of what they're saying, or the kind of idiot they're joining sides with by saying it: when I was a kid Chav or Scally meant homophobic or violent, for example.

Which isn't to say that it's now ok to use the word Chav, or that it was at all meaningful in this context, just that not every one who uses it means what the Daily Mail means.

21:17 / 17.12.05

I've got the Hard Fi album and it's probably the one I've listened to most this year; Hard To Beat is indeed the best thing on it, but I don't think that there's any track on the album I'd definitely say represented a drop in quality. (Except possibly Middle Eastern Holiday now that I think about it, but that's not entirely dreadful, just a bit hamfisted)

Essentially, if you like Cash Machine I'd certainly recommend the album. I also like the fact that most of their songs are about nights out on a slightly rubbish high street, but if that's not the kind of subject matter you enjoy it might not be for you.

My main problem is the singer. He constantly makes this face in their videos that I think is meant to suggest "attitude" but which comes as "trying a bit too hard". He looks like he's acting (badly) at being in a rock'n'roll band. I find it so off-putting that I can't concentrate on the music.

I've only seen a bit of one of the videos, but yes -and he also looks like Kelly Jones of Kelly Jones of the Stereophonics fame. I try not to seek out at pictures of them, but I suppose looking at them would be unavoidable when seeing them live.

05:46 / 27.12.05

i just heard them on MTV2 and the word "whores" immediately came to mind... they are clearly an example of how the media is now the sole creative force remaining and how artists are its slaves. when the critics are dictating what the artists should do, strikes me that something's a bit amiss there.

Regrettable Juvenilia

13:43 / 27.12.05

Anth, unless you can actually articulate in what way Hard Fi are "whores"* dictated to by critics and ruled by the media, I don't think people are going to be inclined to take your complaints very seriously (and if you keep posting to various threads with unspecific laments about the state of music today, maaaan, then the word "trollish" might spring to mind). Have a look at this thread, why don't you?

*Of course, it could be that you take a progressive rather than a reactionary attitude towards sex workers, and therefore don't use the word "whore" as an insult - what do I know?

19:08 / 27.12.05

i'm a bit cynical of a definite formula emergent and common to a lot of bands... though hard-fi are better than many of them, and wondering to which degree this is being adopted as perhaps the only means of success. it's not like a reactionary call of "jumping on the bandwagon" it's more a question of - did you have to jump on this bandwagon in order to achieve success? or was it the route you chose, would have chosen. is it the art you want to make or is it the art you feel you *have* to make in order to be accepted.

i don't totally hate contemporary music. i like franz ferdinand's new single a lot among many other things, it's lots of fun, though i'd definitely have to decline his offer. and in case it's still being misread, i really do like test-icicles for all of the superficial reasons i listed because superficiality is a good thing in its place too.

22:27 / 24.06.06

well you know I don't know about all that back there in 05 but I've really been enjoying wallowing in their last hit better do better.
Pure bitter boy angst. Bought the album on the back of it and have also enjoyed listening back to cash machine and living for the weekend. Nice raucous singing style.

and the hurt song is great but much more enjoyable when you catch it on the radio no guilt attached, tell you how it's gonna be joy.

14:57 / 27.06.06

A lot of people I know react quite violently to HardFi, seeing them as quintessentially manufactured and "fake" but... I just love the massive basslines and soaring distorted strings and... it's rock music that grooves. I like it. Not as good as Arctic Monkeys because there's less subtlety and (concealed) emotion but still good.

11:49 / 28.06.06

They're "OK" - I quite like some songs, hate others, and am staggered by the crassness (and crapness) of "Middle Eastern Holiday".

Interestingly, though, I heard the dub remixes of a lot of their tracks - their friendly remixer did a session on XFM's The Remix - and was pretty impressed - less of the mewling vocals, more of those basslines, and more horns.

And lots of tape delay. Really good stuff - their sound lends it to being dubbed really well.

09:27 / 29.06.06

Souns interesting, any links for that Snakes on a Paleface?