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The Darkness are a British rock band from Lowestoft, Suffolk, formed in 1999. The band consists of Justin Hawkins (lead vocals, guitar), his brother Dan Hawkins (guitar, backing vocals), Frankie Poullain (bass, backing vocals) and Rufus Taylor (drums).
The Darkness came to prominence with the release of their debut album, Permission to Land, in 2003. Backed by the singles “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”, “Growing on Me”, “Get Your Hands off My Woman”, and “Love is Only a Feeling”, the album was certified quadruple platinum in the United Kingdom, with sales of over 1,300,000. In 2004 the band won three Brit Awards: Best British Group, Best British Rock Act, and Best British Album.
After extensive touring in support of their debut album, Poullain left the band in 2005, and was replaced by former guitar technician Richie Edwards. The band’s second studio album, One Way Ticket to Hell… and Back, was released in November 2005. The following year, Justin Hawkins departed from the band after successfully completing a course of rehabilitation from alcohol and cocaine abuse.[3] As a result, the remaining members formed Stone Gods, and continued to perform and record without Hawkins, who subsequently fronted his own project, Hot Leg.
On 15 March 2011, The Darkness announced reunion shows, with original bassist Frankie Poullain, including Download Festival 2011, and the Isle of Wight Festival 2012. Their third album, Hot Cakes, was released on 20 August 2012. Ed Graham has since left the band, feeling the strain of touring was impacting his personal life, in which he had pressing issues. In 2015 a fourth studio album was announced, entitled Last of Our Kind, which was released on June 2, 2015.
Here is Our Interview with Frankie Poullain
Sofa King Cool: The Darkness are currently on tour to promote 2015’s “Last Of Our Kind.” How has the US tour been going so far?
Frankie: We’re building up a real head of steam, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Chicago have been the most recent and the best. They all begin with ‘C’. What can it mean?
Sofa King Cool: What are some of the major differences you notice when touring in the US?
Frankie: In the States 90% of things are artificial and ugly – one would lose the will to live were it not for the fact that the other 10% consists of a crusty apple pied life affirming magic that you simply cannot find anywhere else.
Sofa King Cool: You must have some crazy tour stories can you share some?
Frankie: The only crazy tour stories worth telling are the ones you cannot tell without upsetting somebody somewhere.
Sofa King Cool: Your live shows are amazing. In fact a direct quote from the band is that The Darkness will make you want to shit your pants. Can you elaborate on that?
Frankie: You’ve misquoted, the line is ‘shit directly into your pants.’ You cheapened it.
Sofa King Cool: With Prince just passing I heard you guys had an awkward experience telling people when you found out it happened. Can you tell us about it?
Frankie: I was in cafe in New Orleans when someone messaged me the news. The news has brought people together, the joy he put out there endures and will endure forever. In my opinion he’s the greatest of all time, the most transcendental, not simply in his musical delivery but in his lyrics, subject matter and songwriting.
Sofa King Cool: It has been a rough year with musicians passing from prince, Glenn Fry, David Bowie, Scott Weiland and of course a Lemmy from Motörhead. Does this make you want to run out and see any older bands in case it’s the last time?
Frankie: No, I’m not a vulture, I’m a human being.
Sofa King Cool: Have you shared the stage with any of this year’s fallen rockstars? If so have any stories you could tell us?
Frankie: Lemmy and Scott Weiland. Lemmy did and said what the fuck he wanted, I guess he was a nihilist in some ways. He was true to himself.
Sofa King Cool: Do you think AC/DC should have waited for Brain Johnson to heal instead of replacing him with Axl Rose?
Frankie: None of my business. Who the hell cares what I think?
Sofa King Cool: How do you feel about Axl taking over?
Frankie: I love his voice, no one in human history has ever sung like that guy. Unique mix of power, aggression and longing. The screeching of a prairie buzzard. A larynx scrubbed down with industrial sandpaper then coated with molten honey. Errrrrrr …. something like that anyway.
Sofa King Cool: With the terrorist attacks last year in Paris, how did that effect your touring? Is it in the back of your mind when onstage?
Frankie: Completely forgotten about it, why waste your thoughts on a tiny bunch of fucking losers.
Sofa King Cool: How do you handle the fact music industry is changing with Spotify, YouTube, SoundCloud etc. giving everyone your music with a push of a button?
Frankie: Couldn’t give a shit. People are pigs, worse than pigs in actual fact, let people do what they want and there’s not gonna be a planet anymore let alone music.
Sofa King Cool: How do you feel about fans and social media? It’s almost like they know you now with out every meeting you. Do you like the interactions or feel it’s too personal?
Frankie: We have lovely fans, seriously, sometimes a little crazy but I like that. I’m flattered. They’re never assholes. Proud.
Sofa King Cool: Does it bother you when performing and you see half the crowd with a phone in their hand recording, live streaming, Tweeting, etc.?
Frankie: It’s a challenge. At the great shows you don’t see any, they are lost in the moment. The real magic is never captured. It’s always been like that. Magic is elusive. So put the phone away already …
Sofa King Cool: What’s next for The Darkness?
Frankie: Album 5. With Rufus Tiger Taylor exploding all over the place.
The Darkness offers a VIP meet & greet experience at your shows: http://bit.ly/1nlfE8y.
Friday April 29 – Indianapolis, IN Deluxe @ Old National Center
Saturday April 30 – Baltimore, MD Baltimore Sound Stage
Monday May 2 – New York City, NY Irving Plaza
Tuesday May 3 – Buffalo, NY Waiting Room
Wednesday May 4 – Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
