Stiff Richards is a British punk rock artist who gained fame on the London scene in the late 1980s. His gritty and catchy sound attracted attention for its direct but personal lyrics, which often touched on the harsher realities of everyday life. With his group, The Sore Thumbs, Richards toured extensively throughout Europe and released a series of highly acclaimed albums and singles. After touring ended in 1995, Richards released a solo album to critical acclaim, picking up comparisons to Joe Strummer and The Clash. He still performs to this day and is considered a major figure in the UK punk rock scene.