But Hardpack have soldiered on regardless, filling every venue they have played and giving music fans the edge they deserve.

To reward their supporters, reflect on their careers, and no doubt in the hopes of picking up a little change, Hardpack are releasing a greatest hits album. And drummer Kevin Li could not be more relieved.

'It has come from a long and very arduous process of throwing ideas back and forth among ourselves,' he says. 'After a lengthy discussion, we have come to the conclusion that these six songs best represented the combo known as Hardpack

'Seriously, though, it wasn't too hard since we really only have two other songs. We basically wrote the names of the songs on sticky notes then stuck them to the wall and threw six darts at them.'

The band are offering 'free' admission to anyone who purchases the CD at the door at Cliq on November 15. But you had better get there on time. Hardpack have a faithful local following - and they have lived the life a little overseas as well.

'Our Malaysian tour was the highlight of our rock star careers,' says Li. 'And I mean rock star only because they thought we were famous Hong Kong artists, not knowing that our reputation barely goes past the MTR green line, in particular the Ngau Tau Kok area.

'Needless to say, we took advantage of the opportunity and consumed as much alcohol [and] food ... as we could.'

And how have they found the battle for recognition here?

'We love it most of the time and hate it occasionally,' says Li. 'Like when people don't let others get out of the damned train first before they barge in, or when the rest of my bandmates trash the place after I just finished vacuuming. Those are the tough times.

'The music scene here is just as tiny as the city it belongs to, but if you dig deep enough you'll find it. So stop buying tripe because where there is Canto-pop there is Canto-punk too!''