Ah The Darkness! You remember them right? Catsuits, pterodactyls, aliens, spaceships, massive walls of speakers, vocal histrionics, non return tickets (and back), Xmas jumpers (and not letting the bell’s end), demon dogs that don’t give a f***, no ice, dancing on a Friday night etc. They were monumentally silly. Yet they were also awesome. Before imploding after an average second album, they were massive after the release of their debut album, Permission To Land, a true modern rock classic. Yes, I mean that, because for all their delightful ridiculousness, these guys were immense musicians and made some amazing songs. Of course there’s ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’ which is still stunningly good and puts a smile on the face as soon as the first note is played. But the whole of Permission To Land is studded with utter gems, from the cracking breakneck ‘Get Your Hands Off Of My Woman (complete with a chorus that is stupidly good fun to sing/shout along to) to the ‘ballad’ ‘Love Is Only A Feeling’ to the song that is either about a woman or an STI (or both), ‘Growing On Me’ to their AC/DC homage ‘Givin’ Up’. A corker to be sure, liberally dosed with respect to idols like Queen, Thin Lizzy, Van Halen and the aforementioned AC/DC. The Darkness were everywhere, and were conquering the world, with Permission To Land going platinum FIVE times, and with sell out shows all over the UK that involved delightfully ludicrous stage sets, often bearing witness to frontman Justin Hawkins riding a giant inflatable tiger. Their next release was the fantastically silly Christmas single, Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End) that was the Christmas number 1.

However things were not all well. The band were said to be burnt out, and bassist Frankie Poullain soon left, to be replaced by guitar tech Richie Edwards for the second album, entitled One Way Ticket To Hell (And Back). Although the album was good, it couldn’t compare to it’s predecessor. This was to signal the beginning of the end for The Darkness. Soon it emerged that Justin Hawkins was suffering from health problems, that led him to enter a rehab clinic, leading the band to announce that they were delaying work on their 3^rd album. However it soon became clear that this was the end for Justin Hawkins in The Darkness, as he left the band soon after completing rehab. The other three members, guitarist Dan Hawkins, drummer Ed Graham and bassist Richie Edwards, vowed to continue as The Darkness, and recruited new member Toby MacFarlaine. However they then changed their name to Stone Gods. They released one album under the name. Meanwhile Justin Hawkins formed the glam metal band Hot Leg, and they too released an album.

In 2010, both Hot Leg and Stone Gods confirmed that they were on a hiatus, prompting rumours that The Darkness were to reform. Fans were to get their wish, as on March 15^th 2011 it was announced that the band were reforming, and further more with all original members. The band played that years Download festival to rapturous acclaim. They played a select number of gigs across the country, showcasing a handful of new songs, and on the 1^st of February this year, released new single ‘Nothing’s Going To Stop Us’ as a free download on their website. It’s another utterly immense tune that sees the band bang back on form, and it’s a track that could easily fit in well on their debut album. Although the release date for the as yet untitled third album is unconfirmed, what is sure is that The Darkness are back, and are set to take off once more and once again capture the hearts and souls of the world. With tours and many festival dates planned this year, it promises to be the year of The Darkness once more. Welcome back lads, welcome back!

Stuart Manson

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