The darkness: Reflecting on 25 Years of rock and “Dreams on Toast”

The Darkness, the British rock band known for their flamboyant stage presence and infectious tunes, are celebrating 25 years as their formation. As they gear up to promote their eighth album, Dreams on Toast, the band reflects on their journey, filled with highs, lows, and a relentless pursuit of rock and roll glory.

From Comedy Doppelgangers to Acting Aspirations

When asked about who could portray a younger version of himself, Justin Hawkins muses, “Well, people used to mistake the comedic actor Eric Lampaert for me, so that’d make sense. Although I am looking for some acting opportunities, so maybe I should take it on myself?” This lighthearted remark showcases Hawkins’ characteristic humor and ambition, blurring the lines between rock stardom and the silver screen.

In a humorous aside, he even considers a potential casting choice if, strangely, a younger version of himself were needed, “He’d have to wear brown contact lenses, tho — that’s the only issue. That might be a little bit uncomfortable for him and it’d probably be reflected in his fee.”

The Impact of Permission to land

The Darkness burst onto the scene in 2003 with their debut album, Permission to Land.Featuring the hit song I Believe in a Thing Called Love, the album made an indelible mark on the rock landscape. Hawkins’ over-the-top persona, complete with spangly jumpsuits and a remarkable vocal range, captivated audiences worldwide.

Looking back, Hawkins admits, “We weren’t very gracious when we first achieved anything, really — but that was as we’d worked so hard.” He adds, “We just felt like we were born in the wrong decade. If we’d done Permission to Land in the late ’70s, we’d probably be one of the biggest bands of all time, I reckon. but it wasn’t like that for us.”

Navigating Challenges and “Fallow Periods”

The band has weathered numerous storms, including a five-year hiatus from 2006 to 2011, largely due to Hawkins’ battle with alcohol and drug addiction. Hawkins avoids romanticizing the band’s struggles, admitting that there have been periods were “relationships within the band have been strained; sometimes they’re flourishing and sometimes it’s a challenge.”

These “fallow periods”, as Hawkins calls them, are a testament to the band’s resilience and commitment to their craft. Despite the challenges, The darkness has emerged stronger, with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper thankfulness for their shared musical journey.

Collaborative Fire and Creative Freedom

Today, The Darkness find themselves in a good place. “On this record, we’re finally at the point where we’re not conflict-shy with each other.We’re really arguing about every note and it’s proper collaborative fire — it’s really exciting,” hawkins enthusiastically shares.

the band’s commitment to their art often involves intense creative debates, “You kind of hate each other but by the end of that process, you’re like, ‘Oh yeah, all of those arguments happened for a reason — the good of the songs.’”

Embracing Artistic Freedom

The music video for their single I Hate Myself saw Justin Hawkins sporting prosthetics and lip-synching while smoking, garnering mixed reactions from fans. Some viewed it as self-indulgent, while others appreciated the band’s willingness to push boundaries.

Hawkins responds to criticism with characteristic candor: “They started saying things like, ‘Justin’s got an ego problem, he’s back on the drugs,’ and all this stuff,” he grins, shaking his head. “I’m like, ‘Fk you guys!’ So now it’s just an art project, which is really exciting as it means that we can do whatever the fk we want. And for the first time sence the first album, we’ve got that sense of ‘Fk off! this is what we do, and if you don’t like it, you can fk off. That’s actually fine by me — in fact, I support it.’”

Despite the controversy, Hawkins remains confident in their new material: “But I don’t think that’s gonna be the case, as it’s some of our strongest material.”

Some people were saying: ‘Urgh, I wish Taylor Swift would dance to one of my songs at the US Open.’ And I was like, ‘Well, you write a f**king world-beating rock song then’

As The Darkness celebrates 25 years of rock and roll, they continue to defy expectations, embrace their creative freedom, and deliver music that resonates with fans old and new. Dreams on Toast promises to be another exciting chapter in the band’s storied history.

The Darkness: Redefining Rock and Riding the Taylor Swift Wave

The Darkness, known for their flamboyant performances and glam rock revival sound, have consistently challenged rock genre norms. More than just defying expectations; they’ve also unexpectedly benefitted from a pop culture moment that propelled them back into the spotlight.

challenging Rock Stereotypes

According to frontman Justin Hawkins, The Darkness has always aimed to subvert expectations, “I don’t think any of us have ever been misogynist, and some of it’s even a bit gay — and I don’t think that’s something you associate with the rock genre; there’s a lot of homophobia in it.” He emphasizes their lyrical approach as a conscious effort to “prick male vanity,” asserting that while the world has changed, the rock genre often lagged behind, resulting in it being “left behind.” This perspective aligns with a broader discussion about inclusivity and representation within rock music [Source: Rolling Stone,2023].

The Taylor Swift Effect

While acknowledging the dominance of pop acts in today’s music scene, Hawkins expresses gratitude to an unexpected ally: Taylor Swift. Swift’s long-standing admiration for The Darkness reached a crescendo when she and her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, were seen enthusiastically singing along to I Believe in a Thing Called Love at the US Open. This moment triggered a substantial surge in the band’s streaming figures.

Hawkins responded to those downplaying the “Swift effect” with a dose of humor and realism: “I think some people were writing to us and saying, ‘Urgh, I wish Taylor Swift would dance to one of my songs at the US Open,’ and I was like, ‘Well, write a fking world-beating rock song that crosses over into the pop world and gets played at the US Open — then she might dance to it!’” He readily acknowledges the impact, stating, “It was an astonishing moment, and it impacted our streams as I think we ended up with the highest chart position we’ve ever had, 21 years after that song was released.”

Despite the passage of time, Hawkins remains appreciative of their hit song. “Am I sick of it? Nah.I wrote most of that song,so my fking accountant is over the moon every time someone plays it,” he jokes. He further shares anecdotes of the song’s use in weddings and its consistent ability to elicit strong reactions from audiences. The song’s popularity has become so ingrained that Hawkins muses, “I think it’d be interesting to do a live set one day without playing it; there’d be a f**king riot!”

Hawkins concludes by reflecting on the song’s independent existence and enduring appeal: “At the risk of sounding like Todd Rundgren or somebody self-aggrandising, you can’t get away from the fact that that song has had its own life — and it’s got nothing to do with what we’re doing. It’ll always be something that people enjoy listening to, I think.It’s the nearest thing we’ve got to Hotel California, isn’t it?” This positions “I Believe in a thing Called Love” as a timeless rock anthem that transcends its creators.

Practical Applications and Takeaways

• Embrace Cross-Genre Appeal: The Darkness’s experience highlights the potential benefits of bridging the gap between rock and pop. creating music that resonates with a broader audience can lead to unexpected opportunities.
• Challenge Genre Norms: Hawkins’s comments encourage artists to push boundaries and address societal issues within their music. this can attract new listeners and keep the genre relevant.
• leverage Pop Culture Moments: The Taylor Swift example demonstrates the power of unexpected endorsements. Artists should be prepared to capitalize on such moments to amplify their reach.
• Respect Your Hit Song: Even if an artist creates new material, recognizing and celebrating their most popular song is crucial for maintaining fan engagement.

By staying true to their unique brand of music, the Darkness has not only maintained a dedicated fan base but also demonstrated the potential for rock music to remain culturally relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.

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