]]> http://www.hard-fi.com/news.php?newsID=92 http://www.hard-fi.com/news.php?newsID=92 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:00 GMT
I know I know...you haven't heard from us for a while. But we're holed up trying to make rock and roll history.

At least that's the plan! One of us may be briefly let out of the Cherry Lips hit facility for some Halloween DJ action this weekend, so I thought I'd write everything I know about Halloween DJ sets here for all to see just in case it comes in handy. Which I doubt very much...

First thing to think about are the Halloween get out of jail cards. A few songs that simply cannot fail. These will come in handy when you fall over your decks, unplug the mixer by mistake, or just DJ very very badly. Where I'm concerned, all are very possible. If you only had one tune in the whole box it would be . Let's face it, you could probably just start your set with it and repeat it until the gig's over. But what else? Well I'm not leaving the house without Monster Mash and Highway to Hell by AC/DC. If I'm pushed and pushed hard, I'll take along a copy of Ghostbusters in case things go really bad!

Ok so now you're prepared for the worst and can get out of jail if you need to. What to fill the box with? Let's try this for starters - How about Don't Fear The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult, Psycho Killer by Talking Heads should be a winner, how about Black Magic Woman (the Fleetwood Mac original version if any geeks are in there). I normally try to stay away from the heavy rock in situations like this, there are just too many songs. However I'm at least going to throw in Bark at the Moon, and why the hell not, Running with the Devil!!! Hip hop? Well things are getting tricky but Nightmare on my Street by Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince might just work.

If the gig is going well and everything you touch turns to dance floor gold. Why not throw a few lesser known joints in just for fun. I'd start with this, this and throw this in too! And with that you're sorted! I know there's more, but think of this as the bare bones if you like. I can't give you people everything!

Right, we're off to carve pumpkins and produce the record of the decade.

Speak soon.
Steve.]]> http://www.hard-fi.com/news.php?newsID=91 http://www.hard-fi.com/news.php?newsID=91 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:00:00 GMT Over the years some of the biggest names in art and design have come up with labels for them such as Gilbert and George, Damian Hurst, Tracy Emin and Sam Taylor Wood.

We've always tried to make our sleeves relevant and say more than just our name and title and being involved with Becks "Music inspired Art" gives us the opportunity of taking that to another medium and level. So, instead of competing with these top artists and designers (we're a band after all), we decided to do something that's true to us and what we're about.

The first design is in the style of "Once Upon a Time in the West" and reads "Love Music, Hate Racism". For those who don't know about LMHR, they are an organisation that, through music, promote and celebrate cultural diversity. As a band this is something that we all think is very important and we have supported them in the past.
We thought we would take the opportunity to promote what we believe in.

From LMHR...
"Love Music Hate Racism is delighted that our slogan will be appearing this summer on millions of Becks beer bottles, courtesy of the support of Becks and Hard-Fi. This support reflects the fact that anti-racism is a very popular cause; millions of people in our society like living in a multicultural society and living, working and going out to enjoy themselves alongside people from many different backgrounds. At the same time there are racist groups on the rise who want to divide our communities, so getting out the biggest possible anti-racist message using the music that brings us together is vital today. This campaign will help to get many more people actively involved. Love Music (And Beer) Hate Racism!"

The second one was just a bit of fun and a giggle. Like the CCTV camera on the front of "Stars.." we thought we would take their image and make it ours. We think it looks pretty cool too.

Anyway, We'd better go. The courier has just arrived and we now have a studio full of lager to get through... We're gonna need a bigger fridge.

Hard-Fi

]]> http://www.hard-fi.com/news.php?newsID=90 http://www.hard-fi.com/news.php?newsID=90 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:00:00 GMT
Sorry it's taken a while but we were waiting to get some TV footage from the event sent over to include. Unfortunately the footage we took was limited to the first day since after the usual wired from jet-lag, we're in Japan excitement we all went out and got - as my nan used to say - tight...very tight...And some dumb arse (may've been me - not yet proven though) broke the camera. Hence the waiting for extra footage so you lot didn't have to sit through five minutes totally made up of shambling, half-baked, half-arsed philosophies and general drunken idiocy....There's till quite a bit of that though and for that I apologize.

We played two new numbers in the set so listen out for a couple of snippets of 'Sweat' (see the last podcast if you haven't already) and 'Killer Sounds'.

Also, at that point in the evening, in our heads, we were all definitely gonna get mohawks....luckily there were no 24-hour barbers...

Rich

]]> http://www.hard-fi.com/news.php?newsID=89 http://www.hard-fi.com/news.php?newsID=89 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:00:00 GMT Ah the world of album artwork. While on the train today I started to think of my top 5 album covers. Not my all time top 5 you understand, just for the train journey. You've seen them all before, but it doesn't hurt to look again!

5.
4.
3.
2.
1.

So, of course we're off to rock Japan next week. Should be fun! Can't wait to get out live again everywhere else too. The album is progressing, and I am itching to play the new songs. It is going to be good...

Until then, take it easy.
Steve