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Main event: this ain't Spinal Tap
Conrad Astley17/ 2/2006
The days of Darkness mania may be over, but they are still big enough to tour arenas across the world. Conrad Astley spoke to new member and former fan Richie Edwards.
WHILE the media have been quick to dismiss them as a flash in
the pan, a quick look at The Darkness' touring schedule shows
they've still got fans.
After dropping in to Manchester this week, they head off to rock
their way though arenas in Europe, Australia, and Japan.
In fact "the world and elsewhere," according to new member Richie
Edwards, quoting Nigel Tufnell from the spoof rock band Spinal
Tap.
The reference is, of course, deliberate. Ever since The Darkness
broke into the mainstream, with I Believe In A Thing Called Love
reaching number two in the singles charts, their critics have
described them as a novelty band.
Lead singer Justin Hawkins wears lycra catsuits, they write
blistering rock anthems with titles like Get Your Hands Off My
Woman and their concerts have become famous for pyrotechnical
displays not seen since the days when Iron Maiden were in their
prime.
Comparisons with the classic "mockumentary" This Is Spinal Tap - in
which members of an ageing heavy metal band get lost on their way
to the stage and perform songs called Sex Farm and Big Bottom -
seemed inevitable.
But for bass player Richie, who worked for years as a roadie before
joining the band, the world shown in the film is strangely
recognisable.
"If anyone spends any time on the road with bands you can watch
that film and not laugh at it," he said.
"I've worked with bands that got lost on their way to the stage,
and I've worked with bands that were so far up their own backsides
that they would kick off with the manager if they thought their
sandwiches were too small."
But the newest member, brought in to replace Francis Poullain last
year after working as the band's guitar technician, insists The
Darkness are anything but a joke.
"For me one of the best things about rock music throughout the ages
is it's got a sense of humour," he said.
"But there's a world of difference between that and being in a joke
band.
"A lot of people see it like that because of the over-the-top stage
show and the fact Justin wears catsuits, but when you put the
record on he's not wearing a catsuit.
"The videos we make are lighthearted and funny in places, but that
certainly doesn't mean it's not a serious rock band.
"If you listen to the first six AC/DC albums with Bon Scott and
listen to the lyrics they're full of double entendres, but no-one
called them a joke band."
A series of top-selling singles, three Brit awards, and an
appearance on Melvyn Bragg's South Bank Show were also evidence the
band should be taken seriously.
But while debut album Permission To Land got to number one and sold
one and a half million copies in the UK, last year's follow-up One
Way Ticket To Hell - produced by Queen collaborator Roy Thomas
Baker - failed to reach these dizzying heights.
Richie is realistic about the band's future.
"There was almost Darkness mania for a while," he said.
"I don't think anyone could keep that up.
"In terms of the future, as long as we're still touring and still
making albums we'll be happy.
"It'll be interesting to see if the people who bought into the idea
when it was a mainstream thing are still fans of the band or if the
next big thing has come along."
But while there may be some fickle turncoats who have deserted the
band, Richie believes they still have a dedicated following.
A quick look at those on the front rows at Darkness concerts also
reveals entire families turn out to see them, with younger fans
next to those old enough to remember Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest and
Thin Lizzy.
But Richie says he can understand the fans, as he was one himself
before he started working with the band.
"I'd read about this band," he said. "And I thought I just had to
go and see them. I didn't get what people were saying - that they
were ironic - they just knocked my socks off.
"I think people were ready for it. There was so much miserable
music about.
"There's a place for Coldplay - they do what they do very well -
but there'll always be a place for a good time rock 'n roll
band."
The Darkness play the MEN Arena tomorrow (Saturday February
18).
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