Hard-Fi's Archer hits back at critics

Hard-Fi frontman Richard Archer has hit out at critics of the band's latest album, claiming they are insulting to them and their fans.

The Staines band, whose second LP Once Upon A Time In The West entered the album charts at number one, recently returned home to play a secret show.

Singer Archer said: "We had success because real people heard our music. Working-class musicians are supposed to be idiots who get drunk rather than people who have something to say.

"Sometimes it’s nice to have that to work against but what annoys me is when I think of our fans. You have to wonder what the people slating our record know about music when they’re essentially slagging off the fans of the band.

"You can take the piss out of my hair, my clothes - I don’t give a f***. But take the piss out of the fans and that is out of order."

The group performed at their local pub The Hobgoblin on Monday, playing some of their favourite covers including The Jam's 'Town Called Malice'.

"We wanted to do something special for the fans at home," said drummer Steve Kemp.

> Read our review of the band's current single 'I Shall Overcome'