The Hard Times is a name used by 1) a 1960s San Diego rock band and 2) a currently active New York City reggae band. 1) The Hard Times originally hailed from San Diego and consisted of Bill Richardson (lead guitar), Rudy Romero (guitar), Lee Kiefer (vocals, harmonica), Larry Byrom (bass, guitar), Bob Morris (bass) and Paul Wheatbread (drums). They formed in 1965 as a folk-rock outfit that by 1966 had relocated to Los Angeles and hooked up with manager Florence Stanley. They became a house band at the prestigious Whisky a Go Go and shared the same stage with other more famous bands like Love, Buffalo Springfield and the Doors. They were also regulars on Dick Clark's pop music TV show, 'Where The Action Is'. Later in 1966, the group signed with the World Pacific label and began issuing singles, starting with 'They'll Be A Time' b/w 'You're Bound To Cry’. A second single ('Come To Your Window' b/w 'That’s All I'll Do') was also released around this time. Before the end of 1966, the band released a third single('Fortune Teller' b/w 'Goodbye'), with the A-side (a Benny Spellman cover) becoming their biggest seller, reaching #97 on the U.S. charts. In 1967, they issued their sole LP, titled 'Blew Mind', which surprisingly doesn't include the four songs on their first two 45s. A couple more singles were also released around this time, with their fourth including the upbeat, non-LP track 'They Said No' on its B-side. By the end of 1967, the Hard Times had broken up with Richardson and Byrom going on to form the group T.I.M.E. Romero and other remaining members of the Hardtimes went on to issue one more excellent single ('Give To Me Your Love' b/w 'Thanks') on the World Pacific label under the band name the New Phoenix. 2) The Hard Times are a 5-piece reggae/roots instrumental tsunami, busting out on the NYC underground in 2009 as part of a new wave of roots, reggae and soul. Their high-octane rhythm machine pumps out echoes of 60s reggae party music, skinhead-style, with a good dose of garage, surf and good old rock-n-roll explosions. They’ve quickly gained the attention of NYC bands, fans and producers following the vintage reggae revival, locally in New York City and online through their networking with a worldwide base of ska and reggae fans. The Hard Times are regulars at ska/reggae club parties in Manhattan and Brooklyn, playing everything from loft parties to record label showcases. They have the crossover ability to wow the uptown world music crowd with their own flavor on old reggae rhythms, and go downtown or into the lofts of Bushwick to get the punks and skinheads skanking to their own original melodies and grooves. Along the way, they have become a go-to backing band for guest singers, toasters, MCs and poets who join the party in aclassic reggae showcase style. <a href="https://www.last.fm/music/The+Hard+Times">Read more on Last.fm</a>. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.