WE ARE NOT CONTEMPO! This page is brought to you by fans of the band. As far as we know, at least two members of Contempo are aware of this page and are happy for it to appear on Myspace as the huge compliment it is intended to be. We enjoy bringing this page to you particularly because of the lack of any official internet page or website for Contempo. The official Contempo website contempocentral.co.uk is no longer available. We thank Contempo fans for their appreciation of our efforts, as shown in your mails to us and your comments left on this page.
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Contempo formed in Staines in the summer of 1997, originally calling themselves Parachute.
Contempo's first release was a limited 7 inch on the Blue Dog label featuring On The floor and Stronger. They immediately caught the attention of former Clash guitarist Mick Jones. Once signed to London Records with a six-album deal, after gigging for about a year, they released three singles: U B Naughty (cd, 12", 14.06.99.), My One Way Out (cd, 7", 12", released 25.10.99.), and It's Kicking Off (cd only, 19.06.00.). Most of the tracks on these singles were also produced by Mick Jones, who provided backing vocals on at least one track, and who remains a friend and hero of Richard Archer.
Contempo's first nationwide tour took them on eighteen dates at universities and clubs throughout England and Wales. They also privided support for Elastica and Coldplay. A mini tour in May and June 2000 promoted the release of It's Kicking Off. Appearances at Leeds and Reading Festivals followed. Contempo toured again throughout the end of October, November and December 2000.
Mick Jones-produced demos intended for their first album remain without an official release, although some tracks have resurfaced as reworked Hard-Fi songs. An album was initially penciled in for the end of March 2000, delayed until September/October 2000, but, ultimately, forever shelved.
In November 2000 Contempo announced they had left London Records after months of frustration. Other accounts state that they were dropped as London Records began to fold. After the demise of London Records, Contempo released a six track EP called This Is Contempo, led by the track Ain't Going Out Tonight (cd, 12", April 2001), on their own label Nu-Suburban Sounds. Frequent Hard-Fi remixer, and DJ of choice, Wrongtom, then as one half of Groundforce, remixed Ain't Going Out Tonight. Live dates in March and April 2001 promoted its release.
Richard Archer went on to form Hard-Fi, maintaining his status as chief songwriter, frontman, spokesperson, and guitarist. He also plays the melodica and co-produces many Hard-Fi tracks along with former Supermodel member Wolsey White. Hard-Fi's line up also includes Ross Phillips on lead guitar, Kai Stephens on bass, and Steve Kemp on drums. Steve Kemp put in an appearance or two in Contempo (on drums) towards the end of the band's existence. Dave Teape works on the road with Hard-Fi. See Dave in the first Cash Machine video.
HARD-Fi 'Cash Machine' video featuring Dave Teape.
Contempo live at Reading University 20.03.01. Filmed by Pete Cole.
On The Floor, Don't Fight, Hold On (All unreleased - demo tape only)
I Need To Unwind (from the Running Frog Music compilation Rock Week '98).
From the sleeve notes: 'Rock Week is Windsor Arts Centre's successful yearly band competition. The very best of local musical talent regularly battle it out for the rewards of recording time, media attention, return gigs and of course the title 'Rock Week Winners'.'
CONTEMPO DISCOGRAPHY
ENERGY
(Snakebite City Volume 10 compilation version on Bluefire, cat no:BLU10/BLU16A)
ON THE FLOOR/STRONGER 7"
(Blue Dog Singles Club vinyl only, UK LTD 500 7" BLUE DOG/1998BDGSC007)
U B NAUGHTY (LONDON - LONCD431)
U B Naughty (short version), U B Naughty (extended version), Say It Again* (written by Teddy Van)
MY ONE WAY OUT (LONDON - LONCD439)
My One Way Out, Waiting So Long, Big Time Promotion Man
IT'S KICKING OFF (LONDON - LONCD447)
It's Kicking Off, Twilight Zone, Say It Again* (written by Teddy Van)
The promotional video for It's Kicking Off was directed by Heaney & McManus.
THIS IS CONTEMPO EP (NU SUBURBAN SOUNDS - NUSUB4)
Ain't Going Out Tonight (radio edit), Ain't Going Out Tonight (full length), My Flat By The Police Station, London's Burning* (written by Strummer/Jones), Ain't Going Out Tonight (Groundforce mix), On The Floor
(*Some tracks have since been re-recorded and officially released by Hard-Fi. Some tracks may be Hard-Fi demos, but it is difficult to confirm. Hard-Fi also covered the officially-released track Stronger as a b-side to Hard To Beat.)
Many of the live photos we show are by Pete Cole. Thanks, Pete! Interesting fact: Pete now manages a band called {satellite-state}. The band features one of our adds, Ciaran Stephens. Ciaran is Kai from Hard-Fi's brother. Find {satellite-state} on MySpace here: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=64978444
Pete also took the photo that ended up on the cover of the This Is Contempo ep.
The photography for the front and back cover of On The Floor/Stronger is by King Grecko.
Photography for It's Kicking Off artwork is by Ewen Spencer.
Before Hard-Fi became successful, Richard Archer contributed lyrics and vocals to two tracks on the Tommy Hools album All Soul's Night. The tracks are Givin' Up and You Torture Me. Search for the Givin' Up video on youtube.com! The Japanese version of the album features acoustic versions of both songs. You won't be disappointed.
HARD-FI'S GOLD-SELLING, BRITS-NOMINATED, MERCURY-NOMINATED DEBUT ALBUM 'STARS OF CCTV' IS AVAILABLE NOW!!!
Also available, back catalogue singles and the DVD/CD Hard-Fi In Operation. Available just about everywhere. The Japanese versions of SOCCTV and In Operation feature bonus track Sick Of It All.
Hard-Fi's second album, with working title One Upon A Time In The West, has been scheduled for release late spring/early summer 2007.
Fantastic! Contempo were a great band!! I used to email Steve, Richard's brother, quite a bit at the time....he was the 'nice one' in the band :) Do any of the original band members know of this page? xx
Ahhh.. happy days.. i remmeber many moons ago.. probably 1999 (well i wasnt 18 anyway) at a contempo gig possibly in twickenham i really cant remmeber.. about 25 ppl in the crowd.. (most were pensioners) and i was twated.. got up on stage with teh boys.. nearly got kicked out too... ohhh happy days
1) Jim's Super Stereoworld - Leon Kight's Record Shack
2) Pornstar - Time Stood Still
3) The Cogs - David's Mother
4) Reuben - Shambles
5) Horse feathers - Honeymoon Killers
6) Carfax - Germaine Greer
7) Honeyrider - You Made Me Hate The Beach Boys
8) iccone - Lost In SE1
9) Pala - You Took My Money And Ran
10) Jesse James - Black Sheep Generator
11) The Duvals - Newington Green
12) Jet Suzette - Take Your Hands Off
13) Koogaphone - White Trash
****** 14) Contempo - Energy **********
15) Snowdogs - Best Discoveries
16) Rocket Goldstar - What Are You Singing About?
17) Venus In Furs - Teenpopriot
18) Holy Roman Empire - I Bleed Petrol
19) Lovehandles - Makeup
20) The Showcase Showdown - Duty Free
21) Caretaker - Backs Against The Fall
22) Kaito - Succosanko
23) Bonetti - King Of The Vic 20's
24) Vis The Spoon - Stupid
25) Abdoujaparov - The Man Who Rode The Tiger
26) Tom Hingley - Port In A Storm
