Formed in 2003 by frontman Richard Archer (vocals/guitar), Ross Phillips (guitar), Kai Stephens (bass), and Steve Kemp​ (drums), Hard-Fi burst onto the scene with their debut album Stars Of CCTV (2005), blending indie and electronic influences into a sound that captured the spirit of British youth culture. It became an instant classic and spawned singles ‘Cash Machine’, ‘Hard to Beat’, and ‘Living for the Weekend’. Shortlisted for the Mercury Prize, it hit #1 in 2006, earned two BRIT nominations and is certified double platinum in the UK.

It was followed by Once Upon A Time In The West (#1), and third album Killer Sounds (Top 10). The band also played one of the longest residencies at Brixton Academy (5 nights straight). In 2024 they released their first new material in a decade, Don't Go Making Plans EP on Ignition Records and on July 4th, 2025, they marked the 20th anniversary of Stars with a special re-issue LP.

​Now recharged and looking sharply at a world gone sideways, Staines’ finest make their long-awaited return with brand new album Sweating Somebody Else’s Fever, their first in 15 years, out on June 19th via V2 Records. Written and recorded throughout 2025, and produced by Richard Archer alongside longtime collaborator Wolsey White, the album looks outside the window to the fractured present, and paints it in bold musical strokes, with the same sharp-eyed social commentary that powered their debut but with fresh perspective, new sounds and hard-earned freedom.