The Darkness

The Darkness are a UK rock band from Lowestoft, England, active since 2000. The group is made up of Justin Hawkins, Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain, Ed Graham, Richie Edwards and Rufus Taylor, though its best-known early line-up is Justin Hawkins on vocals, guitar and keyboards, Dan Hawkins on guitar and vocals, Frankie Poullain on bass and Ed Graham on drums.

Style and influences

The band is generally described as hard rock and is widely associated with glam rock, although the members have said they see themselves as a classic hard-rock band. Their sound is marked by Justin Hawkins’s high falsetto voice, theatrical performances and pyrotechnic guitar work. Their influences include Queen, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith, Sparks, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, T. Rex, Def Leppard, Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy.

Early success

The Darkness first play in pubs and bars before attracting wider attention in the early 2000s. Their debut album, Permission to Land, reaches number one in the UK and sells 1.5 million copies in the UK alone. The album’s success leads to extensive touring, including a headline appearance at the Carling Festivals in 2004. The band also achieves major radio play in the UK for singles including I Believe in a Thing Called Love and the Christmas single Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End).

Awards and recognition

The band wins three Brit Awards in the same year, taking Best Group, Best Rock Group and Best Album. They also win two Kerrang! Awards for Best Live Act and Best British Band.

Line-up changes and later activity

Frankie Poullain leaves during the recording of the second album and is replaced by Richie Edwards. The band’s second album, One Way Ticket to Hell...And Back, is produced by Roy Thomas Baker, reaches number eleven in the UK and goes platinum, though it does not match the success of the debut. Its singles include One Way Ticket, Is It Just Me? and Girlfriend.

Justin Hawkins later leaves, and the group subsequently records and performs under the name Stone Gods with Dan Hawkins, Toby MacFarlaine, Ed Graham and Richie Edwards. The Darkness later return, with Hot Cakes released on Wind-up Records.

Name and performance style

The band name is said to come from Ed Graham’s youthful moods. Their live shows become known for exaggerated presentation, including one performance in which Justin Hawkins climbs on a life-sized white tiger during Love on the Rocks with No Ice and is lifted around the audience while playing guitar.