The Darkness
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The Darkness are a glam rock band from from the United Kingdom, comprised of brothers Justin (lead guitar and vocals) and Dan Hawkins (guitar), Ed Graham (drums) and Richie Edwards (bass).
Frankie Poullain was the bass player until May 23 2005, when he left during recording of their second album, apparently due to "musical differences". Frankie has disputed this version of events, claiming he was "frozen out" and forced to leave the band. On June 13 2005, The Darkness announced that Richie Edwards, formerly Dan's guitar technician, had replaced Frankie as bass player.
Their single "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" reached number two in the UK music charts, and their album Permission to Land, which sold over a million copies, was shortlisted for the 2003 Mercury Music Prize. Their Christmas single "Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)" was narrowly beaten to the 2003 UK Christmas number 1 slot by "Mad World" from Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules.
They are considered to be influenced by 1970s rock bands like AC/DC, Def Leppard, Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy, Van Halen, Queen, T. Rex and Led Zeppelin. Hawkins' soaring falsetto makes them immediately distinguishable from other present-day rock bands.
The band won three Brit Awards in 2004, including Best Group, Best rock group and Best album.
They also won two Kerrang! awards in 2004 for best live act and Best British band.
In 2003 The Darkness opened the Glastonbury Festival, and in 2004 headlined the Carling Festivals in Reading and Leeds along with The White Stripes and Green Day.
The Darkness are currently working with legendary rock producer Roy Thomas Baker, known for his work with Queen for their second album.
Discography
All chart positions are based in the UK.
Albums
- Permission to Land (2003) #1
Singles
- Get Your Hands Off My Woman (February 2003) #43
- Growing on Me (June 2003) #11
- I Believe in a Thing Called Love (September 2003) #2
- Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End) (December 2003) #2
- Love is Only a Feeling (March 2004) #5
EP's
- I Believe in a Thing Called Love (2002)
Tribute Bands
- The Likeness
- The Daftness
External link
- The Darkness (http://www.thedarknessrock.com) official website
- Flaming Priest (http://www.flamingpriest.com) american fan site
- The Darkness News (http://bandnews.org/band/Darkness,%20The)es:The Darkness