- The Darkness are an English rock band from Lowestoft, Suffolk, formed in 2000. The band consists of Justin Hawkins (lead vocals, guitar), his brother Dan Hawkins (guitar, backing vocals), Frankie Poullain (bass, backing vocals) and Rufus Taylor son of Queen drummer Roger Taylor on drums.
The Darkness were founded by the Hawkins brothers, Poullain and drummer Ed Graham, and they 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. 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. Founder member, drummer 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, with a new drummer, Emily Dolan Davies, who soon after the record was released left the band and was replaced by Taylor.
- IMDb mini biography by: Marie Christine Taylor
- On 2006 singer and guitarist Justin Hawkins quit the band and enjoyed other personal projects. The band, consisting of Dan Hawkins(lead guitar), Toby MacFarlaine (bass), Ed Graham (drums) and Richie Edwards (vocals/guitar) changed their name to Stone Gods. Their debut album, titled Silver Spoons & Broken Bones, was released on 7 July 2008, with the first single "Knight of the Living Dead" being released on 23 June 2008. On 9 December 2010 they officially went on hiatus.
- The band began work on their fourth studio album in September 2014, with Emily Dolan Davies replacing Ed Graham on drums. He had to quit due to an illness. On 25 April 2015, it was announced via the band's official Facebook page that Rufus Taylor, the son of Queen drummer Roger Taylor, was to join the band as Davies' replacement on drums.
- Frankie Poullain left the band on 23 May 2005, citing "musical differences" as the reason. He was replaced by Richie Edwards, a former guitar technician for the band.
- On 15 March 2011, The Darkness announced reunion shows with all their original members, and their third album "Hot Cakes" was released on August 2012.
- Founded in 2000 by brothers singer and guitarist Justin Hawkins and guitarist Dan Hawkins, bass player Frankie Poullain and drummer Ed Graham.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
