A farmer who went from herding & milking cows and turned his interest into music business in the early 90's, From the club came the label who mainly focused on American garage. The label attracted fast artist like Todd Terry, Benji Candelario and Roger Sanches to name some. Hard Times followed Dave Lee's (Joey Negro)Republic label and exported the American garage Sound. The label didn't release many records but each one is a killer. Hard Times "vanished' around 1996.

Club Review - Hard Times,  Mirfield

Arriving at 9.45pm we were warmly welcomed by the friendly door staff. The entrance fee for the club is £8 members and £10 non members.

We entered the club on the lower floor which is a nicely sized room with a long bar at the back. There is a lounge/sofa type area for those extra chilling moments, and chairs and tables for those who would like to keep on top of things.

The Garage tunes played in and around the room while people drank and chilled happily. The atmosphere was a little too slow for our liking so we proceeded upstairs. Well this certainly was the floor for raging. The House tunes flooded out and everyone responded soundly. The layout upstairs is certainly prepared for dancing, large dance floor, excellent stage. The atmosphere was growing and everyone was happy.

We decided to go downstairs for a so called ‘mooch’ round! Downstairs at the bar, easy to get to, we purchased some drinks. Note: No glasses upstairs please! So we chilled downstairs as we consumed our rather expensive drinks!

Public conveniences! - a vital point! Well they stocked toilet paper (unlike some), were clean and generally tidy (respect to Diane for the on going cleaning). This is obviously speaking on behalf of the ladies - sorry lads!!

Later on we moved back upstairs where we hit the stage and danced till dawn!

Overall outlook, sound friendly club - great for all you Garage/House lovers with excellent resident DJ’s, Tom Wainwright and Miles Holloway.

Discography

HARD 96 LP 1 Various The Seasons Green (3x12")
HARD LP1 Various A Night In The Life Of Todd Terry - Live At Hard Times (2x12")
HT 001 S-Man, The Time 2 Stop (12")
HT 002 Sound Design The Final EP (2x12")
HT 003 Michael Watford & Robert Owens Come Together (12")
HT 004 200 Sheep The Hard Times March (12")
HT 005 Michael Watford Love Change Over (12")
HT 005R Michael Watford Love Change Over - The Remixes (12")
HT 006 Sound Design Back From The Dead E.P. Vol. 1 (12")
HT 006 CD Todd Terry Back From The Dead EP Vol. 1 & 2 (CD)
HT 006R Sound Design Back From The Dead E.P. Vol. 2 (12")
HT CD 96 1 Karen Pollard Reach Out To Me (CD5")
HT CD 96 2 Unknown Society Reach Higher (CD5")
HT CD 96 4 Doctor Love Stay Out All Night (CD5")
HT V 96 1 Karen Pollard Reach Out To Me (12")
HT V 96 2 Unknown Society Reach Higher (12")
HT V 96 3 Romatt Project Lift Me Up (12")
HT V 96 4 Doctor Love Stay Out All Night (12")
HT V 96 5 Mindchime Feel Like Giving Love (12")
HT V 96 CD001 Various The Seasons - Green (CD)