It reads like a typical rock n’ roll story. A band become a seemingly overnight success, before fame leads to drug abuse, and that ultimately leads to the early demise of the group. The members then go their separate ways, working in different bands amidst near constant rumours of a reunion. Eventually it happens, usually for money, and the band ride off into the sunset after a “farewell tour for the fans”. Thankfully, the tale of The Darkness doesn’t follow all of those rock clichés. That’s not to say most of them aren’t there, although it seems like the ending may be a happier one for the glam-rock quartet and their fans.
The Darkness formed in 2000, with legend telling us that the band began after guitarist Dan Hawkins saw brother Justin miming a rendition of Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ at a New Year’s Eve party. He discovered Justin’s potential as a front-man, and The Darkness was born.
After three years building up a reputation for exciting live shows, the rock quartet found success with their debut album Permission To Land.
The album went straight into the album charts at Number 2, before spending a month at the top spot, selling 1.5 million copies.
The following year, the band triumphed at the Brit Awards, taking home three awards at the ceremony (Best Group, Best Rock Group and Best Album).
This marked the pinnacle of their fame. It might seem strange now, but at this point The Darkness really were the biggest act in the country.
They kept fans going in between albums with ‘Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)’, an attempt to get a coveted Christmas Number 1.
However, as was becoming a pattern for The Darkness, the top singles spot eluded them again, as the song peaked at Number 2.
2005 saw the release of One Way Ticket To Hell…And Back, which predictably proved to be a typical second-album flop, at least commercially.
It did show some admirable ambition from The Darkness, but its singles just didn’t have the impact of favourites ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’ or ‘Growing On Me’.
It was actually a solid follow-up, but the public wanted more of the same straight-up rock.
Before the album was completed, bassist Frankie Poullain left the band, to be replaced by former guitar technician Richie Edwards.
The following year, Justin Hawkins’ departure from the band was announced a few months after he entered rehab.
It was later confirmed at the remaining members of The Darkness (Dan, Richie and Ed Graham) would continue working together as Stone Gods, completed by Toby MacFarlaine.
They released an album Silver Spoons and Broken Bones in 2008, whilst Justin Hawkins released Red Light Fever with his new band Hot Leg in 2009. Both bands toured a few times, before all updates stopped.
Rumours - which had been pretty constant since their original split, resurfaced regarding The Darkness reuniting.
Eventually, it was announced in March that the original quartet would indeed reunite, including Frankie. They played their first show in 5 years last night at the Norwich Waterfront, and from all reports are back on form.
The set list does give a few hints of what fans at Download Festival can expect from The Darkness on Friday. The set consisted mainly of tracks from Permission To Land, with just a couple of songs from their second album.
Even more surprisingly were three new songs, although one - ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us’ - is apparently an old unreleased song planned for the new album.
Also present as an introduction was ‘Bareback’, a fan-favourite instrumental that shows a more serious and undeniably talented side to the band’s song writing and performing.
A successful first show back will undoubtedly make The Darkness confident ahead of their Download set. If the new material is any suggestion, the band’s third studio album should bring them back into the mainstream in a big way.
Fans at Download can, then, probably expect a very similar set to the Waterfront show, albeit shortened slightly due to the band getting a one hour slow at the festival.
Hopefully the band drop the new stuff (although it’s good) and stick to what the fans will know. If they do, it could be a perfect return for The Darkness.
Female First - Alistair McGeorge
Tagged in The Darkness Download Festival