Finn’s IN with THE DARKNESS

by Brett Finn

Courtesy of Pirate Pigeon Presents

Intrigued is how I felt.  Sitting in the vast greenroom at Summit Music Hall with Dan Hawkins (Guitar, backing vocals) of The Darkness, he takes a moment for us while on their final U.S. gig before a long travel home.  He is calm, has a warm inviting smile, and it seems more like a conversation with a friend, than a rock star.  You could very easily look this band up on Google to find all the facts and figures, but what we got was a little bit of an inside look from this British glam rock band from Lowestoft, Suffolk.  This could be the typical story with the evasive fate of far too many bands…a severe drug addiction by his brother Justin Hawkins (lead vocals, guitar) that could have been their demise.   Rested, sober and touring madly, The Darkness is on a comeback…

CMB: How have things been going this tour and with your brother Justin?

Dan: It’s been a great tour.  Our confidence levels are at 100%.  We don’t worry about stuff as much as we use to.  Justin doesn’t give a fuck so much anymore…he is back, and it’s about our music and our band.  It’s cool being with my brother.  We don’t argue and we are quite different as people so I think that helps too.  I guess we’ve realized it’s all about having a solid fan base and a great tour.  Hello High Water (supporting band on the tour) does it all themselves. They are a crew within themselves and do everything for themselves.  I guess that’s what you have to do to make it when you are starting.  I know we did.

CMB: How is the new album doing, and personally, what are the bands favorite songs on the album?

 Dan: Well, we produced it ourselves and that means a great deal to us.  Our favorite as a whole is probably Concrete.  We all agree Living Day Blind is a great song.  And, Every Inch of You seems to be the fan favorite.  It’s a great comeback album.  The next album will start pushing the boundaries.

CMB: How do you believe the band has progressed and/or changed over the years? 

Dan: When we started (2000) we had to do a lot of ground work in Europe.  Prior to being on Atlantic, we released on our own and got to #10 in the charts.  We were all over MTV as this big pop concern.  It was great because it made people aware.  But, we are still the same band.  We didn’t care about being popular, we just wanted to make a living doing what we love, making music. I remember one of our first interviews for NME and they said the only people who will be listening to this band in a year were Japanese tourists.  Now, I would say to them: Add 19 years onto that!

CMB:  With that being said, how has the industry changed over the years?

 Dan: I think Myspace helped promote without permission and was brilliant.  But at the same time, it took all the money out of the industry.  It’s a shame because labels can be looked at as a monster.  They use to have “x” amount of money, but those budgets aren’t there anymore.  You can’t afford to wait around for anyone these days.  No one else is going to make it happen for you, you have to get in the back of a van and just go.

CMB: Thing Called Love was obviously your breakout hit in the U.S., the video was a huge success here.  What was the main concept, if any?

Dan: The opening shot was quite spectacular.  We tried to make it very “out there”.  Alex Smith directed it and did a fantastic job.  The idea wasn’t for MTV…it was to make something way out there that people liked and could maybe relate to.

CMB:  You have won so many awards over the years, what was the most memorable?

Dan: In 2004, we won the Ivor Novello Award for Songwriters of the year.  This award is decided by actual songwriters, the best in the business, not the labels and the money within the scene.  We were up against some really big names and it was extraordinary because we never expected to actually win.

CMB: You travel the world, what do you think of Denver?

Dan: We were here last February (Summit Music Hall) and we were very excited to come back to this venue. People in Denver have a groove about them and were dancing to our music.  It’s a lovely place.  Really enjoyed watching them move, and have the room to move.

CMB:  You have toured/played with a lot of great bands.  Who are your favorites and why?

Dan: Lady Gaga, she’s exceptional.  She doesn’t give a fuck and that’s why people like her, that’s why we like her.  Personally, I am a big fan of Florence and the Machine.

CMB:  You are a long way from home.  Is there anything you miss in the way of comforts?

Dan: Digestive biscuits and cups of tea that don’t take 30 minutes to boil.  The wattage in Europe is much higher and water boils faster.

CMB:  Any advice to American bands?

Dan:  They shouldn’t be afraid to make the hop over the water.  If you come to our country, don’t try and adapt, don’t talk in a British accent.  Be as American as Fuck!  Just be you because that’s what the fans are dying for.

And, finally, Dan ends our moment as the show must go on…”It’s a nice way to end the U.S. part of the tour, here in Denver.  The Light is beautiful here.”  And, away into The Darkness of the stage he wanders.

Tags: brett finn, finn, The Darkness, I Believe in a Thing Called Love

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