Easy Life band was forced to rebrand after a legal battle with EasyGroup

The band, previously known as Easy Life, has been renamed Hard Life following a legal dispute with EasyGroup, the brand owners of airline EasyJet.

The Leicester-based indie band, formed in 2017, made the announcement alongside the release of their new single ‘Tears’.

Frontman Murray Matravers expressed his frustration with the legal battle, describing it as “the weirdest, most surreal thing he had ever experienced. “We felt angry and powerless,” he told BBC News. “But if our name has that much influence on them, I’m going to walk away from it – because it’s not worth it.”

The conflict started last year when EasyGroup accused the band of infringing on their trademark. The company objected to the band’s promotion of their Life’s a Beach tour using a poster in the style of EasyJet’s branding, as well as T-shirts and a website that mimicked EasyJet’s signature look. EasyGroup argued that it would be ‘unfair’ for the band to use the name ‘Easy’ without royalties.

In response to the legal threat, the band decided to no longer use the name Easy Life and performed their final show under the old name at KoKo in London on October 13. Matravers said the band could not afford to take the matter to court and eventually made peace with the situation.

When choosing a new name, the band members unanimously agreed on Hard Life. “It was fairer that Hard Life, in response to what had happened, was the obvious choice,” Matravers explained. “It’s a great name, I’m very happy with it.”

Despite the resolution, EasyGroup’s lawyers have objected to a lyric in the new song ‘Tears’ that refers to EasyGroup owner Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, calling it ‘disparaging and defamatory’. They claim it violates the settlement agreement reached with the band.

However, Matravers defended the lyrics, saying he wanted the music to reflect what the band had been through. Looking ahead, Hard Life plans to tour, play festivals and continue making music. “Hopefully we can put this chapter behind us and move on – and focus on the music again,” said Matravers.