I think I need to hear more of the Darkness

axisus · July 2023

When the Darkness turned up (20 years ago!!!) they were an amazing, rockin' breath of fresh air. I LOVED the big single and they stormed those crappy BRIT awards that I hate.

The first album was pure magic, but they kind of fell off of my radar. I just had an article flag up on Farcebook that rated their albums in order. I was surprised that they have released seven! I remember them breaking up, didn't realise that they had got back together at some point.

Also on the back of this, my recent hot discovery on YouTube is Justin Hawkins rides again - the man himself talking all things music, and what a jovial, entertaining bloke he is!

Anyway, back to the article, there were a few videos interspersed, I clicked on the one below (Rock and roll deserves to die) and it is fabulous! Apart from loving the song, the video is superb. I actually laughed out loud at one point! I think I need to hear more of the Darkness ...

John_P · July 2023

Brilliant band and I love Justin's youtube channel, his song breakdowns are great and his longer interviews with Beato and Richie Kotzen are worth watching.

My ac/dc tribute are also starting up a darkness tribute band so I've been learning a lot of their songs - some impressive playing from both of the Hawkins brothers that I've enjoyed working on.

Hattigol · August 2023

I still struggle with the fact that apparently they were a serious band, rather than a parody act.

freakboy1610 · August 2023

Last of Our Kind is a fantastic LP. In fact there are cracking tunes on all of the reunion albums. I'm going to see them again in December. Great band.

stickyfiddle · August 2023

One of the best live bands around. I dragged my mates to see them open the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury a couple of weeks before PTL came out - they were one of the absolute highlights of the weekend, and the album (bought on day one, of course) was the soundtrack of the summer.

Hattigol said:

I still struggle with the fact that apparently they were a serious band, rather than a parody act.

I think they're neither. They're not a parody but they don't take themselves seriously either. But lyrically and musically they're honestly only about 10% more ridiculous than Led Zeppelin, only with a better sense of humour.

lustycourtier · August 2023

Hattigol said:

I still struggle with the fact that apparently they were a serious band, rather than a parody act.

Why? Just because they act a bit silly sometimes takes nothing away from what great writers they are. Their first publishing deal with Universal was £3.5m for 2 records, which was unheard of at the time. They burned out quickly though, due to that huge amount of money I imagine, and its wonderful they are still going and what theyve achieved since (supporting Ed Sherran, Lady Ga Ga etc) as well as stil doing arenas

Danny1969 · August 2023

Hattigol said:

I still struggle with the fact that apparently they were a serious band, rather than a parody act.

I don't think they took anything seriously, that was half the fun and appeal to me. They took the piss out of themselves and other rock bands. But they wrote some really great rock songs and are one of the best rock bands I've ever seen. JH is a bonafide premier league frontman up there with the greats IMO

Hattigol · August 2023

Apologies for having a different opinion.

stickyfiddle · August 2023

Hattigol said:

Apologies for having a different opinion.

You know this is a discussion forum, right? It'd be pretty dull if we all agreed on everything

mudslide73 · August 2023

I can't believe it's been 20 years. I'm a fairweather fan so didn't really engage with anything after PTL - I will investigate.

DannyP · August 2023

I wish he'd chill with the clickbate titles on his YouTube channel.

Title: The Foo Fighters are a massive pile of bollocks

Content: The Foo Fighters are really great, actually

theatreanchor · August 2023

Hattigol said:

Apologies for having a different opinion.

I have the same opinion.

stickyfiddle · August 2023

For anyone dipping back in my post-PTL favourites are (off the top of my head)

Is It Just Me
Every Inch of You
Everybody Have a Good Time
She Just a Girl, Eddie
Open Fire
Mudslide
Hammer & Tongs
Solid Gold

Just decent happy-sounding rock music

prowla · August 2023

I can't get past the slightly out of tune falsetto warbling.

Apart from that, I think they're great.

merlin · August 2023

I first saw/heard/ of them at The Isle of Wight Festival in 2003 (I think). In terms of getting up there, putting on a great show, having the time of their lives, not taking themselves too seriously and sharing that with their audience, they kicked every other bands asses.

In terms of their energy and fun, they reminded me of Slade.

Cirrus · August 2023

Hattigol said:

Apologies for having a different opinion.

The opinion is only 20%. The attitude of the motherf*cker who types it is 80%.

Kilgore · August 2023

S56035 · August 2023

Saw them live years ago. Two words

Boob. Chariot.

fretmeister · August 2023

Cirrus said:

Hattigol said:

Apologies for having a different opinion.

The opinion is only 20%. The attitude of the motherf*cker who types it is 80%.

Image: https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-3eaIDjF8LIo%2FW17eIhcoMWI%2FAAAAAAAAAFc%2F7n7vNl_U8RwsydkvB9HxPSX_Q8q4ltFKgCLcBGAs%2Fs1600%2FI-understood-that-reference-GIF.gif&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=83fe2ad07d0eb5753e88679bae70173dbdf7832badb92795bd63ed9b97ffba5a&ipo=images

Boromedic · August 2023

They're great, one of my all time faves, yes you should definitely check out their other stuff! The much maligned One Way Ticket has some gold on it, as do all their subsequent LPs. Amazing band live too, Dan Hawkins is superb and the rhythm section of Frankie and Rufus are rock solid.

Highlights not off PTL are:

One Way Ticket
Is It Just Me
Concrete
Solid Gold
Open Fire
Last Of Our Kind
Japanese Prisoner Of Love
Every Inch Of You
Everybody Have A Good Time
Easter Is Cancelled
In Another Life

RustySpanner · August 2023

Metal is supposed to be funny.

The only bad metal is made by those who take themselves seriously.

And yep, the YT channel is ace!

axisus · August 2023

RustySpanner said:

Metal is supposed to be funny.

As said by no metal fan ever

Philly_Q · August 2023

axisus said:

RustySpanner said:

Metal is supposed to be funny.

As said by no metal fan ever

I don't think it's supposed to be funny, but as a metal fan I have always been aware that - looking at it from the perspective of the general public - there is a degree of ridiculousness. Not that I care.

I think that was what The Darkness got right, certainly in the early days. The music was as good as anyone's, I don't think they were ever a parody band - unlike Steel Panther - but they were certainly self-aware, and intentionally ludicrous.

That said, I don't like them now. I loved the first album, hated the second, and I think Justin let himself turn into the idiot rock star he knew he wasn't at the beginning. People tell me they rediscovered their form, but I don't care and I can't be bothered to listen.

I don't like his YouTube channel, I wish he would take the piss more, although I understand he's not setting out to be cruel to anyone. And I fucking HATE that little jingle he sings, I find it absolutely unbearable.

roberty · August 2023

DannyP said:

I wish he'd chill with the clickbate titles on his YouTube channel.

Title: The Foo Fighters are a massive pile of bollocks

Content: The Foo Fighters are really great, actually

It works though. It's just the game. I think he gets away with it with his persona

stickyfiddle · August 2023

Philly_Q said:

That said, I don't like them now. I loved the first album, hated the second, and I think Justin let himself turn into the idiot rock star he knew he wasn't at the beginning. People tell me they rediscovered their form, but I don't care and I can't be bothered to listen.

You're missing out. He's admitted quite openly he had all sorts of problems between 2006-2010 or so but sorted himself and the later records are fantastic. They're well worth a listen if you enjoyed PTL

theatreanchor · August 2023

RustySpanner said:

Metal is supposed to be funny.

The only bad metal is made by those who take themselves seriously.

And yep, the YT channel is ace!

The Darkness are a metal band? When did this happen?

Boromedic · August 2023

theatreanchor said:

RustySpanner said:

Metal is supposed to be funny.

The only bad metal is made by those who take themselves seriously.

And yep, the YT channel is ace!

The Darkness are a metal band? When did this happen?

Was gonna say the same.... Heavy Rock but never metal!! \m/

mrkb · August 2023

Boromedic said:

theatreanchor said:

RustySpanner said:

Metal is supposed to be funny.

The only bad metal is made by those who take themselves seriously.

And yep, the YT channel is ace!

The Darkness are a metal band? When did this happen?

Was gonna say the same.... Heavy Rock but never metal!! \m/

Agreed, more of a Queen type band, not metal.

axisus · August 2023

I think of them as a 'classic rock' sound.

Kilgore · August 2023

Hmm, classic rock, glam metal, novelty act. Lemmy think about it.

mrkb · August 2023

Kilgore said:

Hmm, classic rock, glam metal, novelty act. Lemmy think about it.

More Cabaret Rock I think....

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I think I need to hear more of the Darkness

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