ChameleonsVox – The Cockpit, Leeds – 11.5.12
The Chameleons are a band whose music has been closely woven in and out of my life since I started uni and first heard them, back in the mid-80′s. I’m not a More »
Album! The Darkness Announce…
Hot news! ‘HOT CAKES’ and will be released on… MONDAY 20th AUGUST (UK) TUESDAY 21st AUGUST (North America) (and dates either side of that, depending on your country’s specific ‘normal’ release day). More »
The Rite of Spring EP – O.W.L.S.
O.W.L.S. have an EP out today. Their first. It’s available almost everywhere, so you need to go and get it. There’s a wonderfully controlled wildness about O.W.L.S., which is rather apt, don’t you More »
O.W.L.S – Prince Albert, Brighton 24.2.12
A night eagerly awaited. A band containing both Toby Macfarlaine and Richie Edwards could only be a very good thing, in my opinion, and I know I’m not alone. Plenty of Stone More »
Foxy Shazam USA Tour
Blimey. I think that’s the best tour date poster I’ve ever seen. (and, of course, I like it. A LOT. That’s gonna run and run…) More »
Foxy Shazam – The Church of Rock and Roll
Foxy Shazam. What, you may say, is all that about? Well might you ask. For those who haven’t been baptised into this Church, settle back. Those that have, you’ll know all about the More »
The Darkness, Hammersmith Apollo, 25th November 2011
By Adrian Gray November had been a stressful month for me. This was mainly due to my unwavering desire to avoid learning anything about what songs might and might not be played More »
Pop Will Eat Itself – Norwich Waterfront 26.10.11
PWEI were a great favourite of mine back when the world was mine and my oysters weren’t polluted, so it was a pleasure to see them come to Norwich, especially as I More »
Godspeed You! Black Emperor – UEA Norwich 23.7.11
Saturday night, and I’m off to see this Canadian ‘post-rock’ band at one of the fine local establishments. This is not a band I’m at all familiar with, so I went with More »
Darkwatch #1
I thought we’d have a bit of a round up of recent Darklife. Not that anyone has missed anything, I’m sure, but someone might pop by who wants to know what the More »
Rebirth, Relaunch, Rededicate
I asked recently for fans’ thoughts on the Rebirth of The Darkness, so it’s only fair to do some work myself! So… well. Oh LORD… we are so close to the Relaunch. More »
The Darkness – 2011
The official website has a holding page – As Promised. The mailing list is up and running. The Facebook page is adding likes by the minute. THEY’RE BACK. All those months and More »
Celine and Nite Wreckage / The Savage Nomads
Alaska Studios, 20.8.2010 Nothing like a gig in London to go to – and this one was redhot, though I didn’t know it at the time of asking. I knew nothing about either More »
Ed Graham sells Gold Disc
Ed is selling his gold disc for Permission to Land on ebay There will apparently be more to follow! More »
Anders L.A. – ‘In Unison’
By Lucie. The last time I reviewed Anders’ music, he was a child. Two years later, he’s still a child, but with an increasingly and impressively adult view on the world; you More »
Karaoke For Beginners – 8.8.09
giginthepark, Halesworth, Suffolk Back in the Park again. Another hot sunny afternoon, and I love this event. It rocks! A little shopping in the town yields a pair of gold lamé lined More »
Streebeck – ‘Catch As Catch Can’
By Lucie Walker. If there’s one current band that understands the meaning of evolution, it’s Streebeck. ‘Catch As Catch Can’ is startlingly different to the simplistic ‘Without A Baedeker’ in many ways, More »
ROCKAGANDA – Parlor Mob
by Lucie Walker Once in a long while, a truly impressive band comes along. I know, they’re horribly few and far between these days, but Parlor Mob is one of them. Their More »
Soccer Six(sister) 2009
Chelsea FC, 24.5.09 I quite like Soccer Six. I like football, so that’s usually win/win. A day out, and some interesting sights on the pitch. Cool! I had a great time last More »
Hot Leg – Red Light Fever
Tongue tied is not my normal state. I do rabbit on, and when I’m reviewing something I get all flowery. I like words – but this time, they haven’t liked me and More »
Sixsister take the Temple to the Stone Gods
Wearing as many hats as I could – not least because Norwich lay under a still, cold white blanket – I set off to interview the Stone Gods. Full of LURGY, but More »
Frankie’s Strictly Come Darkness
Frankie Poullain has been missing presumed shaved for some time. But lo! Is that a book I see before me? Frankie MUST be alive, to have a cleaner… Rejoice therefore, for More »
Nemo: Your new favourite band.
Listen up Electro fans, you can get your hands on a free track from the geniuses that are Nemo. Some of you may already know them from The Mighty Boosh as lead More »
SixSister on Tour – Hot Leg and Hot Nights
Justin Hawkins’ first gig since the demise of The Darkness, with his new band. Proud Galleries, Camden, August 6th. That was my goal as I set out on an overly airconditioned More »
Hot Leg tracks – Trojan Guitar & Heroes
I know, I meant to do this earlier – but real life gets in the way of my love affair with all things begat by Darkness. However, I have a few spare minutes More »
Kerrang Radio host Stone Gods
A one off, see flyer below. Stuart Cable, ex-Stereophonics, is drumming that night but a permanent replacement for Ed is still to be confirmed. More »
Ed departs Stone Gods
From the band’s official MySpace: “It is with very heavy hearts indeed that we have to announce the permanent departure of drummer and founding member Ed Graham from Stone Gods. Unfortunately Ed More »
STONE GODS – WATERFRONT, NORWICH
29th June 2008 Saturday 28th Well…..It’s slightly out of the ordinary to start a review of a gig before you have even been to it, but I’m going to do it anyway. More »
Justin Hawkins bares his Hot Leg(s)
Justin Hawkins has quietly launched his new band onto the calm waters of MySpace and Facebook – no fanfare, no fuss. Expect, though, for this to change when all is fully revealed, More »
Stone Gods – ‘Silver Spoons and Broken Bones’ (album)
By Lucie There’s a little rockpocket full of people waiting for this album; the ones who diligently paid to see Thin Lizzy last year for a few minutes of their support, the More »
The Interpreters – True Norwich Rock.
http://www.myspace.com/interpreters The Interpreters are another band from Norwich who are slowly starting to take the music scene by storm. Similar to the indie that is dominating the charts at the moment but More »
Phantom Lacuna – Keep an ear out!
http://www.myspace.com/phantomlacuna Upon hearing this band with their heavy guitars you automatically think, ‘Oh no, not another metal band’. Then the screeching guitar kicks in and makes you feel guilty for thinking this More »
Stone Gods Live Dates – June 2008
Some Dates Save up those pennies and look after those pounds, ’cos the month after next we’ll be rockin’ your town… Stone Gods U.K. June Tour Dates are as follows, people: June More »
The Darkness -’Platinum Collection’
It’s out now, then, this… *Best Of* ? As if by magic, 18 months after the demise of The Darkness, this arrives. Both albums and the Christmas single are on it. Question More »
Oh, for the love of…
Valentine’s month. I hope you get something from someone you wished for. If not, you can have a bit of our love to keep you warm. January was exhausting – we’ve got More »
Serpico review
by Lucie plus guest writer Paula To go with our divine little interview with the Serpico boys, we’ve had a listen to the music they have on their pretty little MySpace page More »
El Policia – Future Delights
by Jo Ok, that’s 2007 out of the way. Let’s have a ponder about 2008, shall we? What’s in store? Aha! Here we are… El Policia. These teen rockers are already making More »
Stone Gods 11.1.08
by Guest – Babzz Stone Gods live @ Eurosonic festival 11-1-2008 Groningen, Holland A fan’s first Godstricken experience… It just seemed a very short while ago that I sat in a boring More »
Ten Foot Dolls
by Lucie There’s nowt quite like a little delve into the world of a grunge-goff-alt band… How are things in the Ten Foot Dolls HQ? Well our guitarist is leaving after our More »
RE: all things stoney and God-like
by Lucie Oh yes, they have arrived. After months of Darkling anxiety, The Stone Gods fell upon us in a distinctly pleasurable manner, mainly in the form of 1.14 minutes of song. More »
Led Zeppelin, 02 Arena
by Guest – Laurie Whitecloud The Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert December 10, 2007 The loverly Mistress Jo asked me to write a review of this gig for Optimum Impact. What could I More »
End of an era
December? Again? A sad time for us, as Lou has decided that she wants to move on to pastures new. We’d like to thank her for all her hard work and More »
December Again
Merry whotsits to you. I’m camping out under the duvet this year, am worn out with the year’s exertions. It hasn’t been a great one, the sooner it’s over the better. More »
Jeff Wayne’s War of The Worlds LIVE
by Lucie It seems like a rather bizarre thing to go to a concert knowing exactly what you’re going to hear. But that’s what I and several thousand other people did on More »
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
by Guest – ‘Plucky’ Carling Academy, Oxford. Tuesday 11th December My knowledge of SAHB is not extensive. I know that Alex Harvey himself has been dead for many years, and before this More »
Stone Gods 24.11.07
by Guest – Gill H Well it was a cold and windy Saturday evening when I and three of the lovely, and incredibly dedicated, ladies from the Stone Gods fan site walked More »
Stone Gods
by Jo 4 nights. 500 miles. a Tshirt, and a messy car… Travelling Light – Leicester 22.11.07 As one does… armed with only a choc bar, a change of boots and some More »
Gaining a new religion
by Jo – for and on behalf of all of you who contacted me about this So, been debating on whether to write this or not for ages. But, on the eve More »
AC/DC ‘Let There Be Rock’ by Susan Masino
by Guest – Terri Ingamells I’ve read a lot of books about rock and roll since I was able to read and some of them, I’ll be honest, have left me wondering More »
VAN HALEN – STAPLES CENTRE -LOS ANGELES 20/11/07
by Guest – Angie Daly I HEARD YOU MISSED US – WE’RE BAAAACK!! In the pitch darkness, the resonant wail of a single screeching, grinding guitar fills every inch of the huge More »
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Motorhead and Alice Cooper
by Guest – Gill H The Dream Fulfilled – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Motorhead and Alice Cooper Saturday, 17 November 2007. Wembley Arena, London. In 1976, a long time ago before More »
Do it in the Dark – Justin Hawkins
by Jo Justin’s latest work for charity took us by surprise and the goolies – he kept this fairly quiet, but now it’s up on his myspace. It’s all in aid of More »
How’s it hanging?
Hope you’ve got plenty of layers on and sitting near a radiator to enjoy the autumn glories. K, a bit more action for you this month. Enjoy the peace. The world More »
ROCKAGANDA: Patchwork Grace profile
by Lucie ROCKAGANDA – Patchwork Grace We’re rather fond of PWG here at OI. If you were awesome enough to buy our album, you’ll already know the ansgty choon ‘Nancy’, and if More »
State Rock Side – or something..
by Laurie – Guest review 100.7 FM Jack Radio Fest Coors Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, CA August 19, 2007 REO Speedwagon The Stray Cats The Pretenders ZZ Top Due to a misprint on More »
Echo and The Bunnymen
by Jo 4th August – Gig in the Park, Halesworth, Sussex A fine event, this one. Local cool stuff for local people, by volunteers and other ace beings. For an entire weekend More »
Summer Nights
Throbbing with the sweat, heat and noise of festival s around Europe. The ones not being flushed away in torrents of mud and sewage, that is. To report… Juswatch Update in More »
Dolls Eye Weaver – ‘Shaving Cuts’ EP
by Lucie This record reads like a working class pop-rock Bible, the fast-paced riffage sounding like a grown-up version of Sum 41, with the vocals giving away the very English theme. Some More »
Travis live at Westonbirt Arboretum, 29/06/07
by Lucie Travis is one of those bands I’ve never been sure whether I should admit I love. Some people seem to think Fran and co are at odds with most of More »
Anders L.A.
by Lucie A tribute to – Anders L.A. Anders is a well known and equally loved figure in the world of Darklings, and no doubt in small sections of his native Denmark. More »
Muse at Wembley – 16/06/07
by Lucie Around 60,000 people were hoping for this to be the gig of the century. I haven’t quite got around to surveying all the results of this theory now that it’s More »
Motley Crue – Manchester Apollo 12th June 2007
by guest writer, Aimee Woodward So we travelled down from Scotland to Manchester (over 7 hours on the train due to lightning causing signal problems at Penrith) and prepared to see the More »
Nicolai Prowse
by Jo Betsey Trotwood, 2nd June 2007 18 months, waiting for this one. Since the much mourned demise of Do Me Bad Things, Nicolai’s been writing, working, recording, This then is the More »
Flaming June
The month of May was disregarded, terribly sorry for the omission… Summer’s here. Festivals are about to start. Fun and frolics in the sun we’ve missed so much and some ace music More »
Manic Street Preachers
by Jill Preston Guildhall, 20.05.07 The trip to this gig had the potential to be a gridlocked nightmare, falling as it did on the second night of the Radio One Big Weekend. More »
The Mission
by Jill Manchester Academy 2, 16.05.07 Reminiscence time. Twenty-one years ago I lived in a flat in Liverpool, upstairs from early Mission super-fan Ray Ramone. If the band played in town, the More »
Rockumentary + boys’ equipment on fire
by Lucie Anticipation brews on Darkling Island (shortly to be renamed?) as news of a rockumentary reaches our eyes. Aye, the as yet unnameable new band of the century (Richie Edwards, Dan More »
The Young Knives
by Jo Norwich Waterfront 1.4.07 The strange threesome attack Norwich for the first time – and love our Morrisons! Hurrah! This was something I’d been waiting for, circling and approaching with caution. More »
Nemo – Car Crash Eyes
by Lucie More people should know about Nemo, simply because they’re fucking ace (yes, I’m bringing ace back). This glorious month sees the release of the Lahndahn electro-rawk quartet’s second single, Car More »
Roadstar – Glass Mountain
by Tezza The anticipation is over, Roadstar have realised their 2nd album, Glass Mountain, and there are only to words to describe it…… FUCKING AMAZING! Anyone who has ever spoken to me More »
The Likeness
by Laura The Likeness are 4 men from my home county of leafy Cheshire. Simon Hall (Who is a hypnotherapist in his other life and goes by the moniker ‘Psy’) plays Justin, More »
Aurally pleasured by Justin Hawkins
by Jo Justin has landed! Or pounced. The Hawk has turned into a panther (silly arse, he’s a lion) and slinked his way back into our ears, causing purrs of deep contentment More »
Jeff Collins
Rockfield Rocks in Print by Jo Something of a departure, this. I don’t think we’ve done anything book related before, have we? TADAAAA.. the first, and a special one it is. ‘Rock More »
The Horrors – x2
The Horrors – x2 by Jill and Jo 24th March – Manchester Club Academy Looks like it’s pretty much OK to come out of the Goth closet these days. I mean, everybody’s More »
Travis with Brinkman
by Jill Warrington Parr Hall, 22nd March 2007 “I’m sorry that you turned to driftwood But you’ve been drifting for a long, long time” What a lot of top gigs we’re suddenly More »
Making yourself a laughing stock
by Jo The BBC, not Justin.. whatever you thought about him entering, this was a… some words fail me. After hearing all the songs, and wincing in parts, it became clear that More »
SixSister goes to Surrey
by Jo Top Gear of the Pops. A disaster in the filming? Not quite.. Thursday night. Happily plonking along on the laptop, not a care in the world beyond the next day’s More »
Confused and possibly dazed
by Jo This is an updated article.. Since this went out , the band via Richie and Toby have issued statements apologising for something that wasn’t their fault in the first place. More »
Towers Of London at Bristol Academy 2
by guest writer, Sez Towers Of London, eh? A lot of mixed reactions are often received when mentioning the Towers – often such comments as if they are a joke. Let’s face More »
The Fratellis at The Carling Academy, Birmingham
by Lucie Oh, the anticipation! The rapture! The promise of sweet sweet rock! It was one of those gigs where I wanted to rewind and start it all over again as soon More »
James Morrison – Manchester Apollo
by Jill It’s a very couply crowd at the Apollo tonight, packed to the gills with gangs of girls dragging less enthusiastic-looking male partners. The age range is huge; I spot families More »
CSS – Norwich Waterfront
by Jo CSS – Cansei der Ser Sexy Bit chilly out last Monday night, but we popped along anyway to see CSS at the behest of Mr 2. MONDAY???? first day of More »
Eurovision
by Jo Justin has got together with his mate Beverlei Brown in a bid to be the Royaume Uni’s entry into the Eurovision Song Contest this year. The decider is on Jus’ More »
Toby MacFarlaine
An e-dalliance with Toby MacFarlaine by Lucie Interviewing via t’internet is never ideal, but it can occasionally be productive. And I think this was. Never have I conducted such an in-depth and More »
Arctic Monkeys, Warrington Parr Hall
by Jill 28/02/07 Looking Good On The Dancefloor “This town’s a different town today This town’s a different town to what it was last night” The long cold queue of the night More »
Nine Inch Nails with Ladytron
by Jill Manchester Apollo, 25th Feb 2007 Black As Your Soul The first thing apparent on walking into the Apollo tonight is the a range of people that this band has attracted. More »
The Season
Marvellous stuff happening, this year. The veil enrobing <strong>THE</strong> new band is slowly and teasingly being lifted, in the manner of a seductive Arabian belly dancer of rawk. I can’t help imagining More »
Dan Sartain
Dan Sartain – The Cockpit – Leeds by Emma 4 February 2007 I had absolutely no idea what to expect from guitar-toting Alabama kid Dan Sartain, however nothing could have prepared me More »
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year from all of us at Optimum Impact! So now that we are all sick of the sight of turkey and our resolutions are mere days away from being More »
Malcolm Middleton album review
by Emma A Brighter Beat Kicking off with the ever-optimistic We’re All Going To Die, Malcolm Middleton’s third solo album A Brighter Beat delves further into the darker side of life. The More »
Sounds Like Violence
Added by Jo What’s being said about the band’s first album.. WITH BLOOD ON MY HANDS Release Date: Feb 12th 2007 ‘With Blood On My Hands’ is a fitting title for SOUNDS More »
Justin says…
by Jo Well, lots of things. He’s a well-established member of Myspace now, attracting friends like no one’s business. Conversing with the slightly shocked fans, blogging, being the silly arse we wanted More »
The Wildhearts -
Added by Jo ‘Christmas Vs The Wildhearts’ – Wulfrun Hall – Wolverhampton – 21 December 2006 This might be brief because I’m writing it two weeks after the show and am – More »
OI compilation album
by Louise Yes, that’s right. The first ever Optimum Impact compilation album “Six, Thuds & Rock n Roll” is finally upon us! For a mere £5 (inc. p&p) you can get your More »
We think it’s all over – it is for us
by Lucie and Jo Jo’s bit. Having agreed with pretty much all of what Lucie said below, here’s my very personal take.. So, this is it. It’s all over. The final act More »
Streebeck – ‘Without a Baedeker’
by Lucie Now I’m not a difficult person to please in general, but where music is concerned I’ve grown to be highly critical since becoming a rawk journo. So I surprised myself More »
Malcolm Middleton single review
by Emma Not exactly what it says on the packet, Malcolm Middleton’s latest single A Brighter Beat due out 22nd January 2007 is the first track taken from his third album of More »
Good Shoes single review
by Emma Just how cute can Good Shoes get? The Photos on my Wall due out on Christmas day is yet another impossibly delightful track from the wonderful UK newcomers. Their sound More »
Dan Sartain single review
by Emma Dan Sartain is a superb storyteller, and has a great talent for making every word that flows from his mouth sound really important, leaving the listener feel compelled to pay More »
Viva Voce single review
by Em Due for release on 11th December, Faster Than a Dead Horse is the latest single from the third album Get Yr Blood Sucked Out. Viva Voce form a tight partnership More »
This Et Al
This Et Al – Leeds Cockpit – November 28th by Emma This Et Al Interview – Leeds Cockpit – 28 November 2006 This Et Al are a hotly tipped young band hailing More »
Enter Shikari
Enter Shikari – Leeds Cockpit 7th December 2006 by Emma I always find that a great opener to any interview is when you walk in and are immediately offered a beer! More »
The Levellers
Added by Jo Victoria Hall – Hanley – Stoke on Trent – 09 December 2006 I missed the 3 Daft Monkeys. Again. I have got to start making an effort to get More »
Dan the Saviour
by Jo A fanfare for the uncommon man.. Daniel Hawkins, this week the saviour of news- and floof-starved darklings the length and breadth of the universe, blogged, and said universe partied. The More »
A letter to Hawkins
by Jo not Brezhnev… Organised and collated by Cora, this consists of Darklings’ messages of support. That thing’s 11 metres long, I hate to think what the postage cost was… More »
Latest thoughts
by Jo The following was written on a train, but much of it appeared on a thread while I was gone.. a case of like minds rather than a rehash. It’s certainly More »
At last! News!
by Jo http://www.myspace.com/thedarknessdan It’s been very strange year, everything in my personal and band life has kind of turned upside down. I’d just like to thank fans of The Darkness for More »
Tiny Dancers EP review
by Emma Lions And Tigers And Lions Lions And Tigers And Lions is the debut EP from Tiny Dancers, released on 20th November 2006 on Parlaphone records. Tiny Dancers don’t really fit More »
Juliette and The Licks single review
by Emma Sticky Honey I just don’t really get Juliette and The Licks. Sticky Honey however, is actually pretty damned good! This is the latest single to be released on 20th November More »
Protest The Hero single review
by Emma Heretics & Killers Heretics & Killers is the latest single from Protest The Hero’s face-melting debut album Kezia and is due for release on 13th November to coincide with their More »
Rose Kemp EP review
by Emma Violence No, it’s not the scary Walford Mitchell brother although the EP title would fit…it’s the honey-voiced underground musician Rose Kemp. Title track and single Violence is melancholy and edgy, More »
Senses Fail single review
by Emma Single Review: Senses Fail: Calling All Cars As Senses Fail embark upon the 2006 Taste Of Chaos tour they are due to release the first single from their second album More »
Spider Simpson single review
by Emma Heavy Metal Machine Spider Simpson release the first track from their debut album on 4th December and are set to make a dent in the rock scene, if you would More »
The Hold Steady single review
by Emma Chips Ahoy! Rather than a celebration of fast food, Chips Ahoy! Is actually a racehorse in the latest single due to be released by Vagrant records on 13th November. The More »
The Maccabees single review
by Emma First Love First Love can be yours from 13th November and is a compelling tale of, funnily enough, the throws of first love. The Maccabees with their dainty bells and More »
Streebeck – ‘Without a Baedeker’
by Davey Now I’m not a difficult person to please in general, but where music is concerned I’ve grown to be highly critical since becoming a rawk journo. So I surprised myself More »
Alexisonfire – Taste of Chaos
by Emma Manchester Apollo – 12 November 2006 From one dressing room to another… immediately after a great interview with Senses Fail, I caught up with Dallas Green, of the amazing Alexisonfire More »
Senses Fail – Taste of Chaos
by Emma Manchester Apollo – 12 November 2006 Backstage at Taste Of Chaos lives up to the name… there are like a million bands to soundcheck, a maze of winding staircases, dressing More »
Justin leaves
by Jo So, the day has come we didn’t want to see. Justin announces he’s left The Darkness. Not leaving, left. According to the short announcement, the rest of the band are More »
Where we are
by Jo So.. an odd couple of months. Justin went into The Priory, and as far as we know, is still receiving treatment. Precisely what for is also unknown, but drink, drugs More »
The Boyfriends album review
by Emma Released on October 2nd, The Boyfriends’ self-titled debut album is a collection of thoughts and wonderment by writer and frontman Martin Wallace. Bold and brave are the lyrics and subject More »
Dan Sartain album review
by Emma Join Dan Sartain Behold the new album from Dan Sartain! The young ‘Ivory Godfather’TM releases Join Dan Sartain on 2nd October 2006 to high acclaim. Dan’s slick tones and exceptional More »
Gossip single review
by Emma Standing in the Way of Control Gossip are all set to release the title track from their forthcoming album on 2nd October 2006, and are setting their sights on success. More »
Hicks Milligan-Prophecy single review
by Emma The Good, The Bad And The Iceberg Atomic Duster Records see the release of debut EP The Good, The Bad And The Iceberg on 16th October. So, what are my More »
IV Thieves single review
by Emma The Day is a Downer IV Thieves debut with EP The Day is a Downer on 9th October 2006. The Texan quartet deliver a small collection of hooky although less More »
Juliette and The Licks album review
by Emma Four On The Floor Four On The Floor is the second album from Juliette and The Licks and is released on 2nd October 2006. With the aid of rock’s favourite More »
Sean Lennon single review
by Emma Dead Meat God I so wanted to love this track before I even took the CD from its sleeve. I wasn’t disappointed – not in the slightest. Opening with a More »
Sound Team single review
by Emma Born To Please Sound Team are a six-piece from Texas and are about to release their debut single Born To Please as they embark on their first UK tour commencing More »
Sparklehorse single review
by Emma Don’t Take My Sunshine Away Sparklehorse are back after a long five years and have released three singles during September 2006, all combined on a single CD released on 18th More »
The Authentics album review
by Emma Blondes Make The Best Victims? Sleazy dirty rock ‘n’ roll anyone? The Authentics could be just what you are looking for. Opening with a crash of the drums and thick More »
Musicfinity.com – The Ultimate Site for New Music
by Jet www.musicfinity.com A new and innovative website to be launched early November by Broeknrule records is set to transform the world of marketing for bands. People are finally starting to realise More »
ROCKAGANDA: Head Automatica profile
by Davey Plugging The Best New Acts. Head Automatica in sharp focus It’s all very well and good claiming to be “different”, “alternative”, “quirky”. But it’s so often a lie. Truth is, More »
Tindersticks – 17.9.06 Barbican Hall
by Jo This was one of the ‘Don’t Look Back’ series organised by ATP, where a variety of artists play a one off gig. The setlist is the track listing of their More »
The High Society
by Louise The High Society – my second victim at Trashstock. Formed at the arse end of 2005 and boasting not one but two ex King Adora members, The High Society are More »
Devilish Presley
by Louise At this year’s Trashstock (two nights of awesome sleazy/glammy rock, held on 18th & 19th August, at Nottingham’s Junktion 7), I pinned down a few bands for interviews. My first More »
The Pleasures
THE PLEASURES by Louise At silly o’clock on a Sunday morning, five post-gig boys allowed me the pleasure of interviewing them. This was the final night of The Pleasures’ three-night UK tour More »
Five O’Clock Heroes – Bend To The Breaks – Album
by Emma Bend To The Breaks The packaging for this CD is clever and has amused me before I even touch the CD inside. Bend To The Breaks will be released through More »
The Authentics – Supercharge – EP
by Emma With grilling opening guitar and a dirty fast-rock sound The Authentics seem to be picking up where other bands have left off several years ago. They have been compared to More »
Dan Sartain – Replacement Man – Single
by Emma As if right from out of a Western Dan Sartain sings with a threateningly calm coo, distinctly dark and menacing tones seeping through. Relacement Man, out on 18th September, is More »
The Rapture – Pieces Of The People We Love – Album
by Emma Released on September 4th, Pieces of the People We Love is the second album from critically acclaimed New Yorkers The Rapture. Their mix of jazz, funky dance beats and hollowy More »
Happy Birthday OI!
That’s right, dudes, this month marks the two year anniversary of OI’s very first issue! Do help yourself to a glass of Moet. 2004 seems like forever ago now. Them were More »
Winter in July’s Heartland
by Jo A hot time, in July, and it’s a mad rush home from school to pick up the black and glittery clothes, hurl them in the boot, and zoom off to More »
Diary of a stressed-out rock fan
by Sherilee (sixsister 3) Well, July finally arrived, the month that my little darling became a toddler. I decided to cater for the birthday celebration solely by myself (yes, homemade coleslaw, potato More »
Heartbreak High’s recommendation
by Emma The delicious Scott Major tells Optimum Impact what music he’s into at the moment. Scott played lovable rogue Peter Rivers in the original Heartbreak High series, and has since starred More »
GiginthePark 2006
by Jo 5th August I’m there for the Saturday of this weekend extravaganza. Today’s running order.. Sevillian Raindance Rowan and the Crops Failed Rosalita The Kites Beamer – (who pulled out) crushdeluxe More »
The band’s comment
by Jo Taken from www.thedarknessrock.com http://www.thedarknessrock.com/forum/index.php?topic=2351.msg115492#new A message from the band « on: 16.8.06 at 04:31:34 PM » After Justin saw a doctor last week and was recommended to “cancel all professional More »
SixSister on the telly! Maybe…
by Jo It was a dark and stormy night… oops sorry, couldn’t resist.. It was, though, in Norwich, the night before this Six trotted off to London to see Justin in action More »
Very dark doings
by Jo Ok then.. only one more confirmed live date to go, this summer… The Skanderborg Festival, Denmark, 10th August, and then we’ll just have to wait.. We have something about the More »
Ilosaarirock 15.7.2006
by Heidi Few hours of sleep after Liverpool and I was on my way to see The Darkness again. I was too excited to sleep for the first couple of hours of More »
Dirty Pretty Things’ New Single
by Davey ‘Deadwood’ (single) I’m not a fan of these trendy type groups, all style and no spunk, but ‘Deadwood’ is a surprisingly vigorous offering from Carl Barat and co, bouncy and More »
Graham Coxon’s New Single
by Davey ‘I Can’t Look At Your Skin’ (single) A tad more energetic than Coxon’s previous efforts, ‘I Can’t Look At Your Skin’ is a Jam-esque Cockney jig, and a middle finger More »
Alexisonfire – Crisis – Album
by Emma Released through Hassle Records on August 21st, Crisis has a hell of a lot to live up to. Alexisonfire, known to anyone who knows me well as my absolute favourite More »
Milburn – Album
by Emma Milburn have recently released single Cheshire Cat Smile, a quirky pop-rock tune which fits nicely into the niche populated by the likes of Arctic Monkeys. Their debut album is due More »
The Needles – Summer Girls – Single
by Emma Summer Girls is released on 14th August 2006 through Dangerous Records. This is a fairly mild mannered track with a deliberate old rock style that will sit well with a More »
Good Shoes – All In My Head – Single
by Emma Good Shoes are truly delightful. The single All In My Head is a wonderful and wildly extravagent tune which rides out like a fairground rollercoaster complete with bends, twists and More »
STORM 2006
by Sherilee (sixsister 3) July was the month I went to my first live music festival in nearly two years and even though I was only able to stay for 2 hours, More »
Razorlight – In The Morning – Single
by Emma Razorlight have made an excellent choice in new single from their current album. In The Morning is an upbeat, jingly and amusing song which speaks for the majority of the More »
Adem ‘Launch Yourself’ single
by Davey Straining away from the man with the mould once again, Adem returns with his second solo single, ‘Launch Yourself’. The song is chock full of oddities, busy with percussion, half More »
Saves The Day – Sound The Alarm Album Review
by Emma It’s an accomplishment that Sound The Alarm was completed at all considering the amount of chaos and upheaval the band have managed to work through with the departure of original More »
Moneen – The Red Tree Album Review
by Emma Moneen – The Red Tree Recent release The Red Tree is an outstanding album from the fantastic Moneen, following up the Switcheroo split EP they released last year with Alexisonfire. More »
The Longcut – Norwich Arts Centre
by Jo 22.7.06 My god, the hottest night in history, and we’re indoors. The massive stone walls of this former church are not providing a chill, they’re holding the heat in and More »
The pleasures of touring with German glamrockers
by Louise Last month I went on a mini-tour of the UK with German glamrockers; THE PLEASURES. It was their first time gigging in the UK and it was cool to see More »
A perfect venom
by Louise Her name is simply; Steph. She’s a London based singer/songwriter, managed and produced by the legendary Stuart Epps, who’s worked with Led Zep, Elton John, Oasis, Robbie Williams and George More »
Trashstock 2006
by Louise If you’re looking for a weekend of rock debauchery without the camping, the mud and the hefty price tag of a festival, then look no further! Some genius has invented More »
Blast From The Past
by Davey Blast From The Past Thin Lizzy Ahh, Thin Lizzy. One of the few bands you can’t fault. A leviathan in the world of rock, an immortal force, Thin Lizzy started More »
The Basement + The Isles +Sertoli
by Emma The Basement – Leeds Cockpit – 16 July 2006 A quiet Sunday evening in Leeds, not many people around. We went to the Cockpit to check out Irish folk rockers More »
White Rose Movement
by Jo Norwich Arts Centre 6.7.06 This is a band that I saw supporting The Rakes not so long back.. was impressed then, so the opportunity of seeing them again was greatly More »
How Time Flies
Welcome one, welcome all to this, the July edition of Optimum Impact. July. Already! I can barely believe it was a whole two years ago that three of us went gallivanting More »
Sign ‘Thank God For Silence’ LP
by Davey Good god, you could just inject this kind of rock straight into your veins for an instant shuddering high. That’s what Sign’s LP feels like. Fronted by the enigmatic Zolberg, More »
Protest The Hero – Kezia Album Review
by Emma Kezia is the debut album from Protest The Hero following a couple of previous EP releases. Within seconds Protest The Hero launch a full on attack and the first thing More »
Saves The Day – Sound The Alarm Album Review
by Emma It’s an accomplishment that Sound The Alarm was completed at all considering the amount of chaos and upheaval the band have managed to work through with the departure of original More »
Moneen – The Red Tree Album Review
by Emma Recent release The Red Tree is an outstanding album from the fantastic Moneen, following up the Switcheroo split EP they released last year with Alexisonfire. Moneen have made a massive More »
Rescue The Astronauts EP Review
by Emma Your Scissors/My Seatbelt Your Scissors/My Seatbelt is the first EP available to buy from Derry sweethearts Rescue The Astronauts. The four-track disc produced by Neal Calderwood is a fine introduction More »
City and Colour – Dallas Green
by Emma Interview – Dallas Green (City & Colour) – York Fibbers – 24 May 2006 Wednesday, 24th May 2006 in York, and I was lucky enough to bag my dream interview More »
Sweet Seduction
by Louise I first saw Sweet Seduction playing at the finals of the UK Unsigned Rock event, held in Birmingham on May 26th. The classic riffs, gritty vocals, and energetic performance impressed More »
Diary of a stressed-out rock fan
by Sheri Diary Of A Stressed Out Rock Fan Well, what fun was had in June – I think not! Those who used to use the forum back in the days when More »
Monsters Of Rock!
by Vik (Spid) It’s been away for a long long time, but on June 4th 2006 it made its return, and what a return it was. Not only did they have Deep More »
Extremely Pleasureable Glamrock
by Louise The Pleasures In December I discovered a band for which I instantly fell. The glitz, the glamour, the trash, the sleaze, the pretty colours, the sparkles…it all stole my heart. More »
Instrument of the Issue
by Davey Instrument Of The Issue Gibson custom Justin Hawkins Signature Les Paul When I was struggling to think of an instrument to focus on this month, Justin Hawkins’ weapon of choice More »
Blast From The Past
by Davey Blast From The Past The Stranglers I would normally consider myself a bit of a rocker, but The Stranglers is one of those groups I’ve grown up with, all thanks More »
Rally To Hell
by Laurie (with Dori) This is an personal account of two dedicated darklings who were able to go and talk to Dan and Justin.. don’t be jealous, that’s not what they wrote More »
Rock in Rio
by Tiago Andrade The Darkness At Rock In Rio Lisboa – May 27th. 2006 When the bands for Rock In Rio festival were announced, the major band for the second day was More »
Happy June
And so far, it is! The sun is shining, the festivals will soon be upon us, and there’s a brand new issue of OI for your delectation. This month we have More »
Screaming Tarts – The Album
by Louise Volume 3 Who’da thunk one CD could be filled with such vast and varied and wholly substantial ROCK? Screaming Tarts is a fine specimen, a credit to the fanzine world. More »
The Pleasures EP
by Davey ‘Cuming Out’ EP Glamorous attention whores The Pleasures released their EP ‘Cuming Out’ in 2005. With their mini UK tour rapidly approaching, this is a naughty little taste of their More »
Robin Black Rockin’ The UK
by Louise What’s more exciting than going to see Robin Black on their first UK tour in over two years? Going to see Robin Black on their first UK tour in over More »
Nicolai Prowse
by Jo AAGGHHH! He’s back! Running up fast, anyway.. Nicolai’s been a very busy boy. Writing, recording, working hard. Let’s have a look, shall we? There will be a website shortly, but More »
Little Shop of Horrors..
by Jo Now then, amateur dramatics is not usually our thing to review, but when there’s an offer to see two of our beloved crushdeluxe in the company of another member and More »
Blast From The Past
by Davey Those Swedish kings of rawk, Europe I simply HAD to do an article on Europe. The following is an average Europe-related conversation: “Hey, do you like Europe?” “Who?” “You know…*hums More »
Kula Shaker 16.5.06
by Jo Norwich Waterfront One of my favourites! Back in Norwich after too many years. Reformed, with new songs, and a new album later this year. Right at the last minute I More »
Richard Ashcroft
by Jill Blackpool Empress Ballroom 9th May 2006 It took a heroic drive up the M6 to get us to this one on time, flying through the miles to this iconic Northern More »
TAKE THAT REVIEW –WEMBLEY ARENA – MONDAY 8TH MAY 2006
by Caroline Graham After a long ten years and countless speculation Take That are back!!! The crowd of mostly women aged between 15 and 45 had been warmed up nicely by Beverley More »
Snow Patrol
by Jill Manchester Ritz 2nd May 2006 Not much good at making it for support bands, us. Pretty good at getting in, getting a beer, finding a spot and having the main More »
The Needles
by Davey ‘Dianne’ (single) A jerky, angular single from Aberdeen’s finest, ‘Dianne’ does The Needles proud, throwing them into techno-colour light (none of this lime shit) for all the world to see. More »
The Crimea
by Davey ‘White Russian Galaxy’ (single) Oh yes, I like The Crimea. This single is cool, quirky and melodic, like the slightly rougher side of a Travis-esque emery board. Davey MacManus’s charm More »
Sisters Of Mercy
by Jill and a bit of Jo Manchester Academy 4th May 2006 “OK hippy scum, here it comes” Well, having managed to miss yet another support band we rolled up to a More »
Black Wire – Glasgow Barfly
by Keith Supported by two bands, The Ad’s (Glasgow) & Every Move A Picture (San Francisco), both of whom weren’t bad at all (indie based guitar/rock/pop), Black Wire took the stage at More »
Old pleasures are the best
by Jo News from the dark side.. Echo and the Bunnymen, the tightest band you’ll ever see, are on tour soon. Both the new single ‘Scisssors in the Sand’ and album ‘Siberia’ More »
We Are Scientists with iForward Russia!
by Jill Manchester Academy 7th April 2006 A heaving, sweaty, sold out Academy is buzzing with anticipation tonight, eager for the appearance of everyone’s current top band, the New York three-piece We More »
More of their bits
by Jo I’ll have to do a running commentary, things happen so fast… First off, Australia was conquered, and as far as we know, so was Japan.. unfortunately Dan ‘lost his homework More »
Sydney rocked
by Jessie Flamboyant rockers “The Darkness” took Sydney by storm recently on Thursday 13th April. Playing a sold out show at Luna Park’s Big Top and an hour and a half set, More »
Atlantic divide
by Dre Recently Spin Magazine published an article called One Way Ticket to the Cutout Bin. Here is a piece of that article. SPIN Magazine, April 2006 – One-Way Ticket to the More »
April Showers
Which is what’s happening right now on a cold grey day.. so i’m here in front of a cozy PC adding things on here for you all to peruse. There’ll be More »
King Furnace
by Jet Track Listing: 1. Crash, 2. Blemish, 3. Making of me. A fantastic CD, the only problem I have with it is that thyere aren’t enough songs. I was just screaming More »
EPs and Mini-Albums
EP’s and mini-albums… by Emma Good Shoes – We Are Not The Same EP Pop-punk quartet Good Shoes released their feisty We Are Not The Same EP on March 20th through Brille More »
The Levellers with Damien Dempsey
by Jill 53o, Preston Saturday 25th March 2006 It’s great catching up with old mates, isn’t it? I used to go and see the Levellers quite a lot in the 90’s, not More »
Instrument of the Issue
by Davey Instrument Of The Issue Matt Bellamy’s Laser Manson Severely underrated classical rockers Muse are famed for the tortured guitar screams they produce in their music. Lead singer and guitarist Matt More »
Blast From The Past
by Davey Dutch prog rock combo Focus Curse my youth. I keep missing out on the most awesome bands, Focus being the most recent discovery (bless you, John). Like fellow prog rockers More »
The Raconteurs
by Jill Carling Academy, Liverpool Monday 20th March 2006 This shouldn’t be happening. A new band. No album release. In fact, the only release so far a limited edition 7” single. Nothing More »
White Rose Movement
by Jill White Rose Movement with The Violets Night & Day Café, Manchester Sunday 12th March 2006 Freezing cold. Sporadic snow showers. A proper old winter’s night. The gritters are out on More »
The Mighty Boosh
by Jill Warrington Parr Hall Wednesday 8th March 2006 Don’t doubt the rock credentials of this show for a moment. There’s a huge studenty-indie-goth-glamrock element to the audience: we could just as More »
Milan 17.3.06
by Mélanie Mazda Palace, Milan, 17.03.06 Brussels was 4 days ago and we are already here, queuing, waiting for the Italian security to open the doors of the Mazda Palace… How did More »
Belgium 13.3.06
by Mélanie Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, 13.03.06 There are things you think about a lot before deciding to do them… And there are other things you don’t even think twice before saying More »
Amsterdam 23.03.06
by elusive So – the last gig of the European tour. Amsterdam. My envelope of “forthcoming gig tickets” is empty, and it seems only yesterday that it was stuffed full. Better make More »
Odd thoughts
by Jo So.. thoughts on the tour? Well, every darkling thoroughly enjoyed the shows they went to, even if one or two had issues with the sound at some venue or another. More »
Dublin, London, Brighton
by Trina Here we go again … Dublin, 4th February 2006 So, here I am again, at the ninth Darkness gig of my gigging career (ok, so I started late), in Dublin’s More »
Hamburg 11.3.06
by Eli (supported by Cora) The Darkness-Concert review The first German TD-concert of the OWTTHAB-tour took place in a club called “Große Freiheit”,a smaller venue for about 1000 people. Beginning: 19:00 pm. More »
The Darkness at Birmingham
by Davey Birmingham NEC, 19th February 2006 I nearly didn’t make it to this gig. Stood in the middle of Birmingham, freezing my scrattocks off, I was fearing the worst; that my More »
On tour with The Darkness
by Tigerlily My tour began on Friday 3rd, when I jumped on a train, then on a car and finally on a plane to go to Dublin, Ireland. Arrival at 23.45, local More »
The Darkness at Manchester
by Jo (Pics by Lou!) Manchester Evening News Arena – 18th February ’06 I couldn’t get to many of the gigs, and this is the only one where I’ll get to see More »
Humanzi – Long Time Coming (single)
by Emma Long Time Coming, released on 13th February, is the first ever full scale release from Irish rockers Humanzi. Humanzi have sparked a whole new wave of excitement with their electric More »
Fony – Waco (single)
by Emma Waco is the first single due for release from Fony’s forthcoming album Mercy After Fiction and kicks off with good twangy guitar and bursts into a strong riff and there More »
Sandy Dillon – Pull The Strings LP
by Emma The seventh album released from Avant Garde artist Sandy Dillon is due for release on 24th April, and is interesting to say the least! Title track opens the LP and More »
The Bleeding Hearts – ‘You Bring Me To My Knees’ (single)
by Davey Surprisingly upbeat and honest, ‘You Bring Me To My Knees’ is a light hearted indie pop anthem, with a subject matter everyone can relate to – saying “I love you” More »
Jeff Klein – The Hustler (album)
by Davey Jeff Klein, one of the most honest and intimate songwriters around, still riding the wave of success following his second album ‘Everybody Loves A Winner’ is all set to release More »
Robin Black
by LouisePurveyors of some of the catchiest rock tunes ever, Robin Black combine sleaze, leather, leopard print, blue hair, make-up, and of course, masses of talent to create something vibrant and raucous More »
The Boy Least Likely To – with BC Camplight
by Jill Thursday 23rd February Night & Day Café, Manchester “I’m happy because I’m stupid” A gig I almost didn’t make. It sold out literally moments before I tried to book. Then More »
Warming up and ready to go…
by Jo It was a bloody cold night, never mind dusty… home from school, where I’d taught Art all day… ever painted with a feather? Interesting. Try it. Shower, change into a More »
Introducing: Rescue The Astronauts
by Emma Introducing Rescue The Astronauts You may recall that in November we announced the untimely split of The Mascara Story, and promised you news of frontman Daveit Ferris’ new project. Well, More »
Stretch Arm Strong
by Emma Stretch Arm Strong – Leeds Joseph’s Well – 16th January 2006 Stretch Arm Strong descended with a fury upon the small but packed Joseph’s Well and what a performance! It More »
Richard Ashcroft – Break The Night With Colour – Single Review
by Louise He’s been away for a while, but now he’s back, and judging by this single he’s on top form. Richard Ashcroft has a knack of sculpting beautiful music. This, his More »
2005 and all that
by Jo 2005.. year of the breakdown – dropping down into the darkness and pinging back up It all started well enough, for them. A good rest over Christmas after that tour, More »
Blast From The Past – War of The Worlds
by Lucie Blast From The Past Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War of The Worlds (1978) Cast list: Richard Burton as The Journalist David Essex as The Artilleryman Phil Lynott as More »
Alkaline Trio Gig Review
by Lobby ALKALINE TRIO LEEDS UNIVERSITY Waiting outside the venue in Arctic temperatures for almost an hour after the doors were meant to open is not a good start to the night. More »
Imperial Vipers – Promised Land – Single Review
by Emma Woah there – have I slipped back in time about thirty years?! Imperial Vipers have an unrushed classic rock sound unmistakeably inspired by some of the legends. Think Zeppelin, sit More »
The Bled – My Assassin – Single Review
by Emma Crank up the volume this is a track that needs to be played loud and proud! Taken from the second album Found In The Flood, My Assassin is a hardcore More »
Reggie & The Full Effect – Take Me Home, Please – Single Review
by Emma Reggie & The Full Effect is a breath of fresh air! Cracking live performances as proved by the recent slot on the Taste Of Chaos tour and majorly appealing tracks More »
Get Amped – Tyrannosaurus – Single Review
by Emma Get Amped are about to burst onto the rock scene with the release of their debut album Postcards From Hell, but up until now you may not have heard of More »
Magnet – Fall At Your Feet – Single Review
by Lucie Even Johanson (alias Magnet) continues to produce his unique brand of introspective chill-out music with this latest single, ‘Fall At Your Feet’, taken from his critically acclaimed ‘The Tourniquet’ album. More »
Athlete – Twenty Four Hours – Single Review
by Lucie Cute-as-a-button indie clan Athlete melt some hearts with this tune to brandish your lighter in the air to. Their second album ‘Tourist’ breathed new life into the band, drawing a More »
The Pariahs – Album Review
by Lucie A third helping of dirty scuzz-rock from the Toronto fivesome, as this self-titled album provides more of the same kick-arse enthusiasm for all things rawk as its predecessors. This is More »
Coldplay – Talk – Single Review
by Lucie It’s hard not to be impressed by this single, although I’m rather embarrassed to admit it. ‘Talk’ isn’t a whiny ballad, which is refreshing in itself, and it even begins More »
Diamond Dogs – Bound To Ravage – Album Review
by Lucie Diamond Dogs are just a bunch of teases. They’ve been honing their sound for over a decade, and keeping this debut UK album from us for all that time! Disgraceful. More »
Kaiser Chiefs – Modern Way – Single Review
by Lucie Being someone who would normally despise such a trendy band, I never had the highest of expectations for the Kaiser Chiefs; and ‘Oh My God’ confirmed for me that they More »
Erin McKeown – We Become Like Birds Album Review
by Emma Multi-talented and critically acclaimed artist Erin McKeown released her third album earlier this year. We Will Become Like Birds is a serene recording with a simple elegance that compliments McKeown’s More »
Serena Maneesh Album Review
by Emma The self-titled debut from Norwegian rockers Serena-Maneesh is an eerie and experimental offering, showcasing a wealth of style and variation. Both vocals and the distorted screams of the guitar float More »
Korn – See You On The Other Side Album review
by Emma Long awaited See you On The Other Side rips into play with the fantastic single Twisted Transistor and sets a precedent for the rest of the extensive album. Korn are More »
Kaiser Chiefs – Employment DVD Review
by Emma Kooky Kaiser Chiefs have taken the idea the usual format of music DVD releases and turned it on it’s head. Enjoyment is a ninety minute film with tracks from the More »
My Awesome Compilation
by Emma My Awesome Compilation – Q & A I caught up the MAC guys at their gig in Leeds on 27th November and as always had a really good laugh! I More »
Armor for Sleep
Armor for Sleep Interview by Emma Armor For Sleep Interview – Leeds Cockpit – 13 December 2005 Armor For Sleep are a band that I have an awful lot of time and More »
Funeral For A Friend – Taste Of Chaos
Funeral For A Friend – Taste Of Chaos Interview by Emma 6 November 2005 Taste of Chaos was one of the biggest and most sought after tours that the UK has seen More »
SixSister go to London
by Jo (no camping, and no Timmy the dog) We don’t get out much, but when we do, it’s for something that fucking rocks. Top Secret ‘fan’s playback’ of the new Darkness More »
Sevendust – Next – Album Review
by Emma Get ready to rawk! Thrashing guitar, heavy pounding drums and a vocalist with a menacing growl – quality! First track Hero is a great opener, although the following tune and More »
Magnet – The Tourniquet – Album Review
by Emma The Tourniquet is the second album released by highly acclaimed Norwegian artist Magnet, aka Even Johansen. Bathed in dreamy melodies, The Tourniquet features some truly moving and beautiful tracks, such More »
Tracy & The Plastics – Culture for Pigeon – Album Review
by Emma This album, out to buy now, is an electro lover’s dream. ‘Tracy’ has created her own alter egos, Cola and Nikki on drums and keyboard, who together form an eerie More »
Simple Plan – MTV Hard Rock Live – Album review
by Emma October 3rd was the release date for this live album from the Simple Plan boys. Opening with much loved pop-rock anthem Shut Up, Simple Plan are quite clearly rocking the More »
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – Jacksonville City Nights – Album Review
by Emma Jacksonville City Nights is the second album Ryan Adams has released this year on the Lost Highway label. Ryan Adams is an acquired taste, a sweet and soulful collection of More »
Bloodhound Gang – Hefty Fine – Album Review
by Emma Funny from the very first line, Bloodhound gang effervesce right through the album Hefty Fine. The album opens with a fantastically grinding bass line and tongue in cheek lines galore. More »
Maximo Park – Apply Some Pressure – Single Review
by Emma Apply Some Pressure is a re-release as Maximo Park are high in demand! Taken from the debut album A Certain Trigger, this track is one of three top twenty singles More »
Five O’Clock Heroes – White Girls – Single Review
by Emma White Girls is the disco-tastic single from Five O’Clock Heroes, released on 31st October. White Girls is a funky disco melody with snappy vocals and an easy-going jangly riff. It More »
Millionaire – I’m On A High – Single Review
by Emma Millionaire sweep through the cobwebs like a hurricane with new single I’m On A High. This track is a nice guitar-thick tune with slick vocals sliding from high pitched to More »
Bloodhound Gang – F,U,C,K – Single Review
by Emma The boys are back in town and it’s time to cover the kids’ ears! Bloodhound Gang never hold back and will say exactly what they want, and that’s why we More »
The Glitterati – Back In Power – Single Review
by Emma 24th October was the release date for Back In Power, taken from the band’s debut Glitterati that has seen them rise up to the MTV ranks and begin to get More »
The Automatic – Recover – Single Review
by Emma Welsh quartet The Automatic are here to demand your attention with their debut single Recover released on 24th October. Recover is a funky and quick track with edgy vocals and More »
The Kills – No Wow – Single Review
by Emma Just another ‘The’ band? Nah! The Kills bring something original to the table with their eclectic mix of electro beats and funky rythms. The single is released with various remixes More »
The Fallout Trust – Before The Light Goes – Single Review
by Emma Before The Light Goes was released on 31st October on At Large. This is their second single and is quite a mellow and intelligent track. The Fallout Trust are a More »
Goldie Lookin Chain – R ‘n’ B – Single Review
by Emma Oh dear, we’re in for trouble! GLC are back with the second single from album Safe As Fuck and they are certainly on top form. R ‘n’ B is a More »
Alkaline Trio – Mercy Me
by Emma Due for release on 21 November, Mercy Me is the second single from the album Crimson. Mercy Me is a great easy-going track, upbeat and with lovely clean melodic vocals More »
Humanzi – Fix The Cracks – Single Review
by Emma Humanzi’s next single, double-A sider Fix The Cracks/Get Your Shit Together is released 7th November, and is an eye-opener! Think Alamos … if you like them you will probably like More »
Simple Plan – Untitled
by Emma I have a certain amount of respect for Simple Plan and their mild brand of pop/punk rock. It so far has proved to be a recipe for success for the More »
Fall Out Boy – Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down – Single Review
by Emma Fall Out Boy have managed to create a universally loved song in Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down. This is a pop-come-punk diamond of a track that catches the ear of listener More »
Funeral For A Friend – History – Single Review
by Emma Funeral For A Friend release History on 14th November, making an excellent choice for the third single from the huge album Hours. History is a beautiful and poignant track with More »
Korn – Twisted Transistor – Single Review
by Emma Ha ha! Korn are back on top fucking form and I couldn’t be happier to say that! Twisted Transistor is the first single from the forthcoming album See You On More »
Alexisonfire
Alexisonfire Interview by Emma Leeds Cockpit – 23 October 2005 The mighty Alexisonfire…my favourite band in the entire universe! I was pant-shittingly nervous and utterly delighted to be interviewing them before their More »
The Darkness return
by Jo The Darkness return (which means the return of the darklings. Be afraid.) YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!! At last, a huge mass of tense, nervous darklings relaxed when Rob put up the announcement that More »
OWTTHAB single reviews
by Fans! Was weeing myself with excitement this morning. Had to have the radio on as the computer was being an arse, so everyone got to watch me bouncing on my chair More »
Hallowe’en movies special
by Emma Scare yourself stupid for Halloween! Since Halloween falls on a Monday this year…not all of you will make it out, so here are a few suggestions for the perfect seasonal More »
Instrument of The Issue
by Lucie Instrument Of The Issue Angus Young’s Gibson SG Angus and his SG are as iconic as Freddie and his half mic stand, or the McDonald’s arches, and inspiring to any More »
Blast From The Past – Queen
by Lucie Blast From The Past! Queen – ‘A Night At The Opera’ (1975) As a young ‘un, when it comes to the world of rawk, I’ve had to scrabble together a More »
Zombie Fest For Halloween
by Emma What are YOU doing for Halloween? Halloween is approaching and at last the time has come to embrace all that is ghostly, ghastly and spooky! So what will you be More »
Send More Paramedics
by Emma Send More Paramedics – Leeds Joseph’s Well – 5 August 2005 ZOMBIECORE ANYONE? Send More Paramedics rock it to the maximum! I wasn’t too sure what to expect from this More »
Rob Shaw – profile
by Jo Ah, Rob Shaw. What can we possibly say about our little strawberry blond friend? A Yoda to the stars, dispensing wisdom (sometimes) and judgements to the happy bands of darklings. More »
Darkness bits and pieces
by Jo Well, not literally. It’s been quite busy in darkling land. Justin and Dan have flown off to LA to rehearse and record orchestras, then mix the whole lot so that More »
British Whale – This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Both Of Us
British Whale – This Town Ain’t Big Enough For Both of Us by Fee Rating 10/10 This single marks the welcome return of Justin Hawkins, the most charismatic front man of rock More »
What’s On?
by Emma What’s on? Forthcoming unmissable events… Korn August 23-24 Manchester Apollo, London Brixton Academy Death From Above 1979 August 23 London Charing Cross Mean Fiddler Leeds/Reading Carling Weekend August 26-28 Trivium More »
Rescue The Astronauts EP Review
by Emma Rescue The Astronauts – Your Scissors/My Seatbelt Your Scissors/My Seatbelt is the first EP available to buy from Derry sweethearts Rescue The Astronauts. The four-track disc produced by Neal Calderwood More »
Gratitude – Album Review
by Emma Album Review: Gratitude: Gratitude Gratitude was released on 20th June and is the debut album from US rockers Gratitude, label mates with the fabulous Funeral For Friend. Gratitude are supporting More »
The Mascara Story
by Emma The Mascara Story Interview – York Fibbers – 15 August 2005 Cheeky Irish boys…very attractive cheeky Irish boys…is what I was faced with when I went to interview The Mascara More »
My Awesome Compilation
by Emma My Awesome Compilation – Leeds Joseph’s Well – 28 July 2005 What a night! I had wanted to catch a My Awesome Compilation gig for ages and so when I More »
Bullet For My Valentine
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Ben’s guitar corner
by Ben Dickinson Hello again my peeps! This time my guitar corner’s about finding the right guitar. First thing is to do some research, what music do you play, what style do More »
Mother and The Addicts
by Jo / Mother Mother and the Addicts, Norwich Arts Centre Well, I was escorted away from my books one night, not entirely willingly as I was completely knackered and had lots More »
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Funeral For A Friend
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Electrelane – Axes – Album Review
by Emma To call Electrelane experimental is one big bloody understatement. A few seconds shy of an hour, I found Axes to be hard work. Unless you are a fan of 6-9 More »
The National – Alligator – Album Review
by Emma I previously said about The National that I am reminded at times of Bowie in style. Having now listened to the third album release I now think the style is More »
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by Emma The Explosion have burst onto the punk scene and made quite an impact this year – the single Here I Am has gained regular play on radio and music television More »
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by Emma The Butcher and the Butterfly is the third album release from Queen Adreena and is regarded as the best of the trio. Queen Adreena carry a haunting eerie feel throughout More »
FULC – Embrace.Destroy – Album Review
by Emma New mini-album, Embrace.Destroy is the latest release from FULC, up and coming UK rock metal quartet. Embrace.Destroy consists of six tracks, and starts off with two softer tracks spilling raw More »
Idlewild – I Understand It – Single Review
by Emma Released 2 May, I Understand It is a harmless ditty from Idlewild, most likely to be hitting notes with fans of REM and the like. It’s quite catchy and laid More »
Suffrajets – Sold – Single Review
by Emma The Suffrajets are back in action following a recovery period – the girls’ tour bus was involved in a serious road traffic accident earlier this year – and on top More »
The Kills – Love Is A Deserter
by Emma Love Is A Deserter was released on Domino on 30 May is taken from The Kills’ second album No Wow. The track keeps in form with previous hit The Good More »
We Are Scientists
by Lou ‘Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt’ The first UK single from New York three-piece ‘We Are Scientists’ was released on June 27th and quite frankly should do bloody well! The title More »
The Blue Van
by Lou ‘Revelation of Love’ is the first UK single from Denmark’s hottest new export; ‘The Blue Van’. And don’t their influences shine through like a blinding light?! The Kinks, The Small More »
Switchfoot: Dare You To Move
by Emma Dare You To Move is the first UK release due 18th July from multi platinum selling US outfit Switchfoot. It will be followed up swiftly by the album A Beautiful More »
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by Emma New to the scene trio Engerica are preparing to whip up a storm. New single My Demise will be released on 25th July and is not the first taster of More »
Millionaire
by Lou ‘We Don’t Live There Anymore’ is a seductive track that’s dripping with dirty, grungy licks and an overall air of bad-ass cool. Hoarse guitars grate their way through a sleazy More »
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by Lou It’s great to see bands standing the test of time like the Levellers have. Formed in 1988 and still going strong with their trademark upbeat-folk-indie-pop-bit-of-something-for-everyone sound. Defining vocals front a More »
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by Lou Being previously unfamiliar with Electric Eel Shock’s sound, I’m very pleasantly surprised and can confirm for the other EES virgins out there that it’s just as the name suggests; high More »
Funeral For A Friend
by Emma Interview – Leeds Refectory 30 June 2005 Now you will notice that this month’s zine features my review of two of the recent FFAF tour dates…well Ben and I caught More »
Bullet for My Valentine
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Funeral For A Friend – Gig Review
by Emma Funeral For A Friend – Leeds Refectory/ Manchester Academy 30 June 2005/ 8 July 2005 What a lucky girl am I…Funeral For A Friend not once but twice in a More »
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by Kazza Green Day, Milton Keynes Bowl, Saturday 18th June My Weekend of Rock began with a hot, sweaty traffic jam into Milton Keynes. Once past the security Nazis however, the discomfort More »
SixSister go to Kirkley High
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The Marble Index – Album Review
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Hulk – Cowboy Coffee & Burned Knives – Album Review
by Emma Brussels trio Hulk are knocking on the door of the big time with their forthcoming album release Cowboy Coffee… available from 27 June 2005 on Suburban Records. Hulk were lucky More »
Funeral For A Friend – Streetcar – Single Review
by Emma Released 30 May 2005, Streetcar is the sterling follow up to the forthcoming Hours, follow up to the magnificent Casually Dressed and Deep in Conversation. Streetcar is an upbeat track More »
Simple Plan – Welcome To My Life – Single Review
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Corporation Blend – For All My Sins – Single Review
by Emma Are you ready for Corporation:blend? Prepare yourselves for a wild rampage of cyber keyboard and riproaring guitar as Rob Owen, Ash Howard, Andy Harrison and Dexy K unleash themselves upon More »
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by Emma I Like The Way is a hard hitting dance and rock mix making big waves on the clubbing scene. Its more of the dance, less of the rock and absolutely More »
Darkling does Dubai!
Darkling Does Dubai! by Jo Friday 25th March 2005 (as usual, apologies for any mistakes in this – any misquotes or errors in the setlist are down to me and my over-excited More »
Pupils I’ll never forget
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by Emma What’s on? Forthcoming unmissable events… When Who Venue Where 15/03/05 Fightstar The Cockpit Leeds 16/03/05 Fightstar Academy 3 Manchester 18/03/05 Good Charlotte Apollo Manchester 18/03/05 Eighteen Visions The Cockpit Leeds More »
Patent Pending
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by Emma Introducing Patent Pending Welcome to the very first introduction to Patent Pending, a new and exciting band that are just about to launch themselves upon the unsuspecting public of Leeds. More »
Soccer Six
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by Emma THE Dan Hawkins Site Well, where to start!! Created by Lisa Lomas, a devoted fan of Dan and The Darkness, THE Dan Hawkins Site proves to be one of the More »
American and Australian Darklings
If you’d like your reviews/photos to be immortalised forever here on OI, let us know via email, Facebook or Twitter. Thanks!
ChameleonsVox – The Cockpit, Leeds – 11.5.12
The Chameleons are a band whose music has been closely woven in and out of my life since I started uni and first heard them, back in the mid-80′s. I’m not a fan that can get every single song title right, but I am one that can instantly recognise and sing along, one that leans back and let the sounds and words wash over and through me. I never got to see them back then, and until now, haven’t been able to get to the new lot of gigs. A trip to Leeds is always a pleasure, I’d never managed to get to the legendary Cockpit (after a swift date/venue change) before, and some much loved people were to be hugged in person at long last.
Thanks to travel on a Friday night from Norwich, we missed Vendemmian and Berlin Black who had both been and done by the time we arrived, sadly. But hey – time for a drink and hugs and finding a space to stand. The place is packed to the gills, hot, and ready to get sweaty. You could taste the anticipation. This is a crowd that really loves the band in a personal way, if not uncritically. It’s also Mark Burgess’ birthday, and the end of the tour. Party mode, from the start!
The good things began with no fanfare, but with authority and confidence. There are no new fans to win over, no suits to impress – just a time to play good music well, enjoy, celebrate the then and now. It’s not a retro retail reformation thing going on. It’s for real, and it’s a family atmosphere thing. The crowd is passionate but polite, of an age not to be selfish in its enjoyment. Naturally I cashed in a few of my nice lady brownie points and ended up easily at the front to be able to see. The Chameleons (now with added Vox) always seemed to me to be a band that held up to scrutiny, that deserved critical acclaim, and were solidly sure and true. Somewhat in awe, I watched, and wasn’t disappointed.
The songs sound less written than allowed to flow to the stage where sounds perfectly synergise and the current is strong enough to carry any emotion, any point of view (indeed, it carried the energetic mosh pit without any effort). When you’ve got a back catalogue as good as theirs, it does give you a head start, but really, they don’t need it. They don’t (actually) really need the love of the crowd to carry them through, either. They are simply GOOD. Very good. No faff, no gimmick, no nothing except excellent playing and a few comments from Mark.
A few songs later, an excursion into and through the moshpit, and I’m back where I started to stand and listen in stillness. I can’t see, so I’m not distracted. That’s when the brilliance of the writing is evident. It’s almost possible to listen in stillness AND silence, to let it touch you. It’s emotional musically and lyrically. Anger, despair, sadness, acceptance, defiance are odd bedfellows to produce a kind of rapture, but they do. When finally they get to my favourite (it’s a whole life favourite, not just of theirs) In Shreds, then it’s as though I’m the only one there. It’s a bleak, soulless picture that it paints to me, a deep cry against crushing loneliness and struggling to keep a sense of self worth (in my opinion, natch). The vocals sound lost, like shouting through a thick fog with little hope of being heard. It just catches me every damn time, and on that day, with all that’s gone on in recent times, it crashed in with force. Can you ask much more of a song than to make you cry with upset whilst filling you with elation? Beautiful but deadly.
Gigs come, and they go, but I’m glad I didn’t miss this one. It really was one for the memoirs.
Competition Time
A few weeks ago, deep in the USA tour, a kind Miss Laurie Darkling undertook to get a copy of High Voltage mag featuring The Darkness signed, specially for an OI comp prize. Lo, here it is – after transit, checking that it was ok to run the comp, and a rather inconvenient and lengthy dose of that Real Life stuff.
Laurie asked them to do it for OI (Dan’s actually signed it to me!), so it’s not something that I just picked up – it was all planned with you lot in mind. Some of you, at any rate. Shoot me if you want, but I decided that American and Australian Darklings were having their tours this year, and would get a chance to see and chat to the lads. So, UK and Europe people, this one’s for you. There is the Lady Gaga tour and festivals for us, but not a headlining tour (that we know about, not for months at any rate).
Here’s a photo – this issue was given out free during the last US tour. Check out www.iamhighvoltage.com to subscribe and join their mailing list (they have a new issue out now) I know they ship outside the US as I have my own (unsigned) copy 
.
This is only a little thing, but it’s genuine and a fairly rare piece of tour memorabilia.
The Darkness issue
The winner will be whoever comes up with the best idea for the competition to win it. UK and Europe only, please! Answer by comment below. ♥ Deadline date is… I’ll give you 10 days, so 9pm GMT on May 14th. GO!
Album! The Darkness Announce…
Hot news!
‘HOT CAKES’ and will be released on…
MONDAY 20th AUGUST (UK)
TUESDAY 21st AUGUST (North America)
(and dates either side of that, depending on your country’s specific ‘normal’ release day).
The Rite of Spring EP – O.W.L.S.
O.W.L.S. have an EP out today. Their first. It’s available almost everywhere, so you need to go and get it.
There’s a wonderfully controlled wildness about O.W.L.S., which is rather apt, don’t you think? I recall saying that I like a little bit of dirt and scratch left on my soul by music, when I reviewed their first gig, and I stand by that. There’s enough grunge grate in vocals, feedback scrape of strings, to do that job admirably. There are some delicate touches here and there, little bits of bright guitar and beat slipping in and out of the heavy storm. Not any old maelstrom, but one that morphs from relentless assault to full-on attack, the manic of Kibosh to the laid back (relatively) Vitamins. Hurt Janine has a smoothness to the delivery that belies the slight sneer I can hear. Only Joking gives a darn fine idea of what is and what will happen to your ears through the whole Rite. Every now and again a ghost of wholesome american 60′s pop sweeps by, but it’s given a thorough grunging over until it feels as dirty as the rest.
Everything was recorded live, which is how this really needs to be heard to get everything from it, so let’s hope there are gigs near us all soon. Tight band without being anal about it, well crafted and honed songs, rock in spades and grunge in bucketfuls. That’s a bloody good deal, and this is a bloody good debut EP.
Track listing:
Only Joking
Hurt Janine
Leave a Light Over My Grave
Vitamins
Kibosh
One In The Chamber
A Day At The Beach
(Stravinsky’s ballet ‘The Rites of Spring’ caused a riot at its first performance. A good hard mosh is much more sensible, kids.)
Justin auctions stage gear for charity
Justin is selling off a coat worn on the 2004 Winternational Tour on eBay, to benefit animal charity The Mayhew Animal Home . Please bid, or donate if you can’t.
Thoughts gone Gaga
This morning, Darklings were ready and waiting for the announcement promised for today, mostly expecting (not unreasonably) some news about the album release date, maybe some gigs to look out for. Lady Gaga’s little monsters were also waiting for news on her Born This Way Ball tour dates in Europe. Neither had ANY idea that the news was going to involve each other… At 7.30 this morning, Capital FM’s site posted the tweeted news that The Darkness would be supporting Lady Gaga on 21 European dates through August to October. Two were in the UK – London and Manchester – and a third in Dublin. Retweeted, it flew round the Darkling set.
Twitter went into an absolute frenzy. Both Darklings and monsters were relaying their shock, awe, amazement, and initial disbelief. WTF? REALLY? It came like a bolt from the blue, this one. Leftfield. Both sets of UK fans were split pretty much down the middle. Awestruck wonder and fairly vehement disgust were both expressed, along with disappointment. There weren’t many neutrals. A good many monsters will need a bit of a Darkness learning curve by all accounts. Some had set off to download albums and watch youtube – result! For over 5 hours ‘The Darkness’ trended worldwide, longer in the UK.
Let’s take ‘Awestruck wonder’ then, first. Why? Being fans of both helped with that one, to start with. If you are, then this is going to be one special night! Then there’s the ‘The Darkness/Lady Gaga gig’ phenomenon, whichever one you prefer. An expensive one, but Gaga gigs are few and far between here at any time, and Darkness ones also this year, so far. Then once those feelings had ebbed, and the bank balance had been checked, there were so many other things to consider.
This is a HUGE thing for TD to have secured. Main support to a woman of international renown, critically acclaimed, and truly individual. There’s no one like her right now, and she has power. She also has brains, and if she wants TD on HER tour, then she has good sound reasons for doing so. Impeccable taste, too, obviously. The amount of exposure that this will give TD is so immense it can’t be quantified. Not only will they get the captive audience exposure to thousands, but the PR benefits are just staggering. Even just being associated with the tour is like a rocket launch – especially as Justin tweeted in the middle of this afternoon that the album will be out this summer, which is before or as this tour starts for them. The Samsung SuperBowl ad has been blown out of the water! Next up is the creativity bit. Apparently the stage set took 18 months to build. Now, if you’ve got a main act who can pull off the sort of stuff that Gaga does, aren’t you going to take a little advantage of that when it comes to your own stage act? I doubt the stage will be completely bare for TD. I doubt the general atmosphere will encourage toned down costumes and restrained performances. Oh wow.. the costumes… I think that we’re going to see something very special, in all sorts of ways. I also think that actually, these two acts aren’t so very dissimilar and that they will understand and gel with each other very well. They seem to me to have the same sort of attitudes and desires in what they do and what they give to their fans. This has the potential to be completely mental, in a stupendous way. Bring it on.
I don’t want to do the ‘fairly vehement disgust’ bit. Leaves a bad taste in the mouth. But why oh why is this tour such bad news for some people? It’s true that the album news Darklings want was not what emerged today. Nor was a list of UK and Europe tour dates. Since when has THAT been an excuse for some of the things I’ve seen today? I can’t comment on some of Gaga fans’ comments. They have their likes and dislikes, and some wanted another band instead. BUT… I didn’t want to believe some of the things I read from both sides. Losing respect for their idol for arranging this. Saying that you’re not going to see your idol because TD/Gaga would spoil it. Accusations of selling out. Pouting and stamping feet because things weren’t going their way. Objections because the other band just weren’t right for ‘your’ band. TD knew this was going to divide people, and their small warning wasn’t without substance. Sadly.
Sheesh. This is a tour, and a damn prestigious one. It’s not a joining at the hip. It’s going to be a learning curve on both sides in some degree, it’s going to be incredibly beneficial for bands and fans alike in one way or another. No one is losing any credibility and no one will have a career damaged. I hope people get their heads round this, because this IS happening.
Justin said:
“It was put to me as a question – do we want to be a main support band on one of the biggest – if not the biggest – stadium, worldwide mega-tours that have ever been? And, I think I replied, ‘Yes please’.
“It was really straight forward.”
and Frankie added on FB: Haha, well said Justin! Why would The Darkness shy away from something this ridiculous?
And it is, gloriously so. Right up The Darkness’ street.
Gaga for The Darkness
Quite right, too.
Capital FM have this morning broken news that The Darkness will be supporting Lady Gaga on the UK and European legs of her world tour. Tweets have flown, with both Justin and TD retweeting the link, though uberofficial confirmation still to come. This from their site:
’Marry The Night’ star confirms details of gigs in London and Manchester as part of European dates. Lady Gaga has announced two UK dates as part of her ‘Born This Way Ball’ world tour.
The gigs, at London’s Twickenham Stadium on 8th September and Manchester Arena on 11th September, will mark the ‘Marry The Night’ star’s biggest ever shows in Britain. They form part of the European leg of the ‘Born This Way Ball’ tour, which kicks off in Bulgaria on 14th August and includes a show at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on 15th September. The European dates are currently set to conclude in Barcelona, Spain on 6th October.
Support at all of the European shows, including those in the UK, will come from The Darkness and Lady Starlight.
Ticket prices will range from £50-£80 for London and £60-£80 for Manchester.
Gigwise state that tickets for the two UK dates will be on sale on Friday 13th April, though if I were you I’d check out ticket sites for presale dates.
Lady Gaga tweeted these tour dates:
Darkwatch #USA
The Darkness have been to America.
A very short statement for an event that meant such a lot to The Darkness’ and Darklings’ worlds! Not that long after a pretty brilliantly amazing tour in the UK and Ireland, a second tour with an identical lineup was announced for the US. Not a comprehensive tour, but with other commitments no doubt in place, it’s still pretty packed with as much ground covered as possible. Cue an eruption of American Darkling frenzy – and who can blame them? We’d felt the same here, and we’d already had our first taste of ‘what was’ morphing into ‘what will be’.
Staggered presales via a link only available on TD’s Facebook page went amazingly well, selling out in the majority of venues. That was mirrored by the general sale release – almost full sell out. Another New York date was added, and the last three dates announced extended the tour to the whole of Februrary, give or take. Fantastic news – well, to me it looks like a bloody good feat!
The excitement hit fever pitch. My ears are still ringing from cybercheers in some quarters. There are a LOT of people out there who have waited a very long time to see TD at all, and thought they had missed their chance. Once TD arrived, it was like the Pond didn’t exist, as a sound barrier, anyway. With a couple of new songs and a new stage outfit that added an awful amount of sex to the stars and stripes, there’s no way anyone could possibly say they were shortchanged. Supercharged is probably more accurate!
Reviews, comments and photos all point to one thing – that this was a special kinda tour for everyone., with all sorts of things happening. Hazel Eyes on the set list. The ace treasure hunts for tickets, held on Twitter. Justin’s dive into the crowd from the balcony (holy shit, Justin, I have problems looking down from balconies, never mind jumping!). The banter, the anecdotes, the joy of being plunged into Darkness. Could it have been better?
Not really. Not from fandom’s point of view. However, on Superbowl night, a different kind of glory came with an unexpected and very important event. In a Samsung phone advert, Justin appeared with a crowd, a choir and some chaos playing along to IBIATCL – right in the middle of the Superbowl. One of the most prestigious ad breaks in the US, with a worldwide captive audience. Fuck the PHONE, this was just about the most perfectly timed superb bit of PR/management brilliance EVER. In minutes, TD were worldwide trending, and had gone to the top of iTunes rock charts. This was a coup of monumental proportions, so deep curtsies all round to the team that clinched that one.
A few weeks filled with travel and gig frenzy and they came back to rest and plunge back into album work. Job partly done in America – not wholly, because since then more dates have been announced and tickets gone on sale. Round 2, anyone?
My thanks to all those who sent contributions to OI during the last tour. If there’s anyone else willing to do the same, drop me a line.
Laurie’s U.S. Tour Diary – The Darkness, Foxy Shazam, Crown Jewel Defense (Pt 2)
Day 1 – February 18, Las Vegas, NV, House of Blues
Welcome to the Sin-Sinniest City of them all, LAS VEGAS! On this tour with me are my Darklets, Rhyanne and Harrison, and friend Dori – you remember her from the NYC gig. We pulled into town the night before and Dori had flown in from New Jersey. Boy, were her arms tired! *rimshot*
The day of the gig, Ree decides she wants to ride the New York New York roller coaster that is just across the street from us. After much debate, I finally agree to ride with her and off we go through the casino to find the rollercoaster. I don’t know how many OI readers have been to Vegas, but these casinos are mahoosive, like little money-grubbing cities. Finally, we find the coaster entrance near an arcade. We’re standing around trying to figure out where to buy tickets and such when Dori turns around and says “There’s Frankie!”
Yes, it was Mr. Poullain, who was waiting for Mr. Justin Hawkins. So once we chit chat with him for a bit, we decide to wait to say hi to Justin too. He arrives and asks if we saw his tweet about riding the coaster and Dori told him we were already there! He was very nice and I gave him an “I heart moustaches” magnet I’d bought for him in the gift shop earlier, before we knew he’d be there. He liked it! So long story short, Ree and I rode in the rollercoaster two seats behind him. It was great fun, even though roller coasters are not my bag, baby!
Before we lined up, we saw Sky in line at Starbucks next door and we went to say hello as he waited for his green tea. Such a nice guy, he is! Saw the other Foxy band members and CJD guys come in as we waited for the gig.
The gig itself was fantastic! Although we found out the hard way that if you want to jump the line to the front, you had to buy $25 of food or merch from House of Blues and show the receipt. Crown Jewel’s songs are slowly growing on me, and Foxy was phenomenal as always.
It was awesome to hear Hazel Eyes, which was added to the Chicago gig thanks to fan requests! I think Cannonball was dropped , but it was pretty much the same setlist as New York. I saw Vinny Paul from Pantera up in the VIP booth watching the show. All in all, the crowd was enthusiastic and it was a stellar performance! Justin’s new onstage habit is picking people from out of the crowd and complimenting their appearance, and there was a contingent from the UK whom Justin gave a shout to as well. Las Vegas loved the boys!
We said hello to them after the show and got some pics, and they all signed my beaded medallion. It was Ree’s first time meeting them, but Harrison missed out. Dan and Ed didn’t seem too happy that Ree couldn’t get in because it was an 18+ venue and she wasn’t 18. Justin finally got to see Dori’s fabulous catsuit and he loved it! He told her not to wash it. We said we’d see them in Phoenix and off we went the next day. 
Day 2 – February 19, Phoenix, Arizona, Celebrity Theatre
After traveling 6 hours (yes, we’re driving!) we reach Phoenix and check in. Lo and behold, there are other Darkness fans at the same hotel! We pulled in blasting “Bald” to get their attention and Harrison yells “Do you believe in a thing called love?!” We said hello to some lovely British ladies in the hotel lobby and one of our hotel neighbors is also going to the gig. Turns out later that Justin pointed him out in the crowd as having awesome facial hair!
The Celebrity Theatre is different because it’s what they call “in the round,” meaning it’s a round stage. But tonight’s gig is halfway blocked off, so it’s what Justin dubs “The Semi-Circle of Power!” It’s also quite odd that there is standing room in front of the stage and the performers are pretty much in your face if you’re lucky enough to be standing (which we were), but then there were seats behind the standing area so it must have been hard to see for the seated people immediately behind us.
I almost got tossed out because my camera was called “Professional” but after explaining that it’s not and I couldn’t return it to my car because we walked to the theatre, the security guys let me back in as long as I didn’t take video. So back to the front I go. The Crown Jewel guys are sounding better and better, and Foxy has an enthusiastic fan base here in the valley of the sun. My favorite part has to be when Sky keyboard surfs into the front rows and lets the fans pound the keys. The crowd is chanting “Foxy! Foxy! Foxy!” after they leave and I’m almost sure they’ll come back for an encore…no? Oh, okay.
The Darkness bounds onstage and the crowd noise is incredible! At first, Justin was dubious about the stage and asked “Does this make my arse look big?”, because the circle went halfway around Dan’s side of the stage and his rear was in view. Justin had great fun trying to see which side of the stage is louder during GYHOMW. The Semi-Circle of Power allows Dan to travel to the other side of the stage and solo a few times. During LOTRWNI Justin doesn’t get to do his walkabout because of the odd shape of the venue, so he opts for soloing down the middle corridor. I must say Phoenix was a brilliant gig and the crowd was up to 11!
Milled around after the show and again chatted with the guys from Foxy, CJD and TD. Harrison finally gets to meet TD! It’s fun watching my kids meet them, as they’ve been subjected to their music for 8 years and now they’re old enough to like TD on their own. Our new friends from the UK got to say hello as well (Sue, Liz and Terri and their other friend whose name escapes me – sorry!). We finally find someone with a silver Sharpie so Dori’s catsuit can be signed by the band. Since it was freezing cold out, we didn’t hang around long and then it was time to head back and rest up for L.A.
Day 3 – Los Angeles, California – House of Blues, Sunset Strip
L.A. is lovely this time of year, and as we enjoy dinner at HOB before the show (to get our fast passes), we hear sound check going on. Sweet!
Oh My Gee! So many people are here! My friend Julie, who I did a similar tour with in the UK in 2006, is here! And our friend Hannah too, who I haven’t seen in a few years! Another friend also arrives later and we ended up chatting with her and her son too. Good times! Sky and Daisy from Foxy come over to say hello to us – such nice guys!!
As for the gig, well….the band was rockin’ but let’s just say that I thought the some of the crowd was not as enthusiastic as Phoenix or even Vegas or New York. Dan’s guitar wasn’t working right during one song and the band played on while he switched out guitars, and Justin says “Now you know what we would sound like without Dan on guitar – we would SUCK!” Billy Duffy from the Cult was in the audience somewhere, Justin announced, and he said he was nervous because Billy was a hero of his. But on the upside, everyone who had never seen them before and those of us who HAD seen them before were happy campers with the band and the performance, and that’s what matters. Cheers for rocking the House of Blues!
They shoo us out fairly soon after the gig and after chatting with the CJD boys again, we decide to go for an early breakfast. This traveling stuff is quite wearying. After stopping at the famous Mel’s Diner on Sunset, it’s time to hit the hay – but not before we see Loren from Foxy outside the HOB and we say “HI LOREN!” J
Day 4 – Travel time!
But not after first having lunch at the famed Barney’s Beanery, which was a favorite spot of Marilyn Monroe, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison, etc. After a quick stop at the Guitar Center on Sunset, we then go to the L.A. Fashion District to look at fabrics. Dori HAS to buy some purple leopard and red zebra print spandex! The plan had been to head back to San Diego and drop the kids off, but there’s not enough time and I have two extra tickets…..so off we all go to San Francisco!
Day 5 – February 21, The Fillmore, San Francisco
Well I must say this: After all the driving we’ve done, I respect bands so much more. Sometimes as fans, we forget all the effort they make traveling this gigantic land of ours by bus, then have to do a kick ass show, stay out late after the show meeting fans, unwinding, and then get up at ungodly hours like 5 am and do it all over again. My hat is off to CJD, Foxy and TD!
Thank God there’s no fast pass this time! We see the TD guys as they go into the venue and Justin pops back to say a quick hello and to make sure Dori hasn’t washed her catsuit! LOL! We make friends with the tall guy standing in front of us, and Liz from the UK joins us as we wait. We’re worried we won’t see Sky before the show – which has almost become a ritual! – when he, Alex and Daisy walk by and say hi. J And of course, our new CJD friends Taylor, Nick and Steve also say hello. Taylor tells us they have an upcoming UK headlining tour J Whoo hoo!
Well, the vibe in the Fillmore is electric! I tell Ree that LED ZEPPELIN played there and she wasn’t really that impressed. Teenagers! This is where it all happened…Led Zep, Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane….it boggles the mind how much rich musical history is in that building. Luckily the stage is massive and has a huge barrier and we have no problem getting front row. We also discover through TD’s FB page that a special Fillmore poster has been created for the band (more on that later!) The picture was awesome!
You know it’s special when the crowd is getting worked up just singing along to the pre-show songs (and by the way guys, thanks for getting me hooked on “Guitar” by Prince!) and it’s even more exciting when TD tweet about how loud we are singing along to “Just What I Needed” by The Cars J Soon, CJD come on and rock the house! It’s even better when Taylor announces that it’s as close to a hometown gig as they’re going to get, since he’s from nearby Modesto, and the crowd lovingly embraces them from there.
There are some people that are there only to see Foxy Shazam, and they were not disappointed! What can I say about this band that hasn’t been said already, except that they are master showmen and musicians and they totally killed it! At the end, Foxy has left the crowd in awe and clamoring for more just like in Phoenix. WOW! Later on, Justin has asked the crowd to give it up for CJD and Foxy and backstage, they heard everyone chanting “Foxy! Foxy! Foxy!” The Darkness was happy to hear that, especially Justin, because Foxy is his favorite band.
When TD comes onstage, the crowd explodes and TD feeds off our energy. Justin points out our tall friend from the line outside as lovingly protecting his woman from the people behind them (which was really sweet!) and he dedicates GYHOMW to them. As the show progresses, a fine cloudlike haze has settled over the crowd and I’m quite sure it wasn’t from the dry ice machine! Justin remarks that he knows that we’ve been smoking Mary Jane’s Laughing Tobacco I can’t even point out highlights as it seemed every song was a highlight and it was over before we knew it. I do manage to catch Ed’s drumstick as it bounced off Harrison, but luckily it was gently tossed our way and didn’t cause any damage Some guy even offered me $10 for it, but I said no way! As Harrison and I leave to find Dori and Ree on the other side of the stage, happy concert-goers are singing and dancing along with “I Had The Time of My Life.” I love when that happens!
As we exit the best gig we’ve been to yet, the Fillmore hands everyone a print of said Fillmore poster. I’m having that framed! We hang out to say our goodbyes to CJD (and met Taylor’s mom and Grandma, how nice!) and then we finally get to say our goodbyes and thanks to TD before we leave the tour.
The Darkness is very thankful for the fans who have stuck around, as well as the new fans they are winning over. It’s really nice when they remark that they will miss seeing us in the front row and they don’t know what they’ll do without us the rest of the tour J We say we’ll see them somewhere here in May, and we have all our memorabilia and memories to carry us through til then.
My favorite onstage moments for all the gigs is the way the entire band is smiling, laughing and enjoying each other as a band again. Dan literally bounces as well as headbangs through a show, and of course Justin is bouncing, leaping, tossing plecs, posing, diving into crowds….anything we want to him do, he does. It’s pure unadulterated HAPPINESS making its presence known on this tour, as well as the show I went to in London. Another highlight for me is when Justin sings “Holding my Own” acoustically, and Dan is impishly in the background making the crowd do a hand wave along with the ballad. Every time the crowd sings along with the songs, or when Justin is making us make the most ridiculous noises during LOTRWNI, the fun is always there – and that my friends, is why I love this band so much – aside from the fact that they all rock so hard it must hurt.
I truly do thank the band for resurrecting all this wonderful music filled with good times, and based on audience reaction to the new songs, we have so much more to look forward to in the future. I’m not sure if I’ll do another road trip like that, but who knows? NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW! J
New TD dates for US
Direct from TD’s Facebook:
The bewitching hour is upon us with more show announcements at the helm. The following shows will have a special Facebook presale on Wednesday, March 7th at 10am CST as well:
May 23rd – New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues New Orleans
May 27th – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues Dallas
You need to Like the page to get any presale details, if you haven’t already.
O.W.L.S – Prince Albert, Brighton 24.2.12
A night eagerly awaited. A band containing both Toby Macfarlaine and Richie Edwards could only be a very good thing, in my opinion, and I know I’m not alone. Plenty of Stone Gods fans would agree that they belong in a band together, and Toby agrees – ‘I couldn’t think of anyone else I wanted to be in a band with more’. They already have years of writing and playing together under their belts, so this new venture should fit them like custom made gloves.
I listened to the demos on Soundcloud when they first came to light and liked what I heard, even in their rough state. A departure from what I know of them, but heavens, would it not be terribly dull if that wasn’t so? Can’t wait to hear it properly.
One emergency dash to the south coast done, a slight detour the wrong way round the train station, and finally I’m at the Prince Albert with about 10 minutes to spare. So ace to see so many familiar and well loved faces there! Only time for a quick swig of drink before strings are plucked and it’s time to get down the front and see what I’ve wanted to see for over 3 years now – Toby and Richie on a stage again, playing plugged in and turned up loud. There’s no way I was going to miss this. True to form, Richie is looking effortlessly Rock, whilst Toby manages to look both beautifully turned out and grungekid at the same time.
They don’t disappoint. They never have! From the first note, there was a nice dark dirty edge to the sound. I like that. I like feeling like I’ve had music pumped through me and that it’s left a little graze to be admired later. I really like watching good musicians who know how to do that, and who look like it’s happening to them, too. Have a bit of grunge rubbed on me? Oh yes. See that edge? It’s quite sharp, actually. Don’t miss it.
Mosh to Kibosh and Vitamins, dance to Hurt Janine, and do a bit of both to the rest of the setlist:
Hurt Janine
Adayatthebeach
Leave A Light Over My Grave
Only Joking
One In The Chamber
Vitamins
Kibosh
In the end, I stopped trying to take photos and just enjoyed myself, listening to rock and grunge and indie elements swirling round each other, getting grubby and sweaty on the way before they crank up to full on soundload. No one who loves live music wants to hear disinfected, scrubbed notes on stage. What they want is the passion that makes a night memorable, a sound that’s great, and a little sting on their musical souls. Seems like O.W.L.S have just the talons to do just that.
Next gig: Love Buzz, London
I have added photos from the night from O.W.L.S Facebook to the Gallery, with permission.
Here’s a bit of video:
On Tour with The Darkness – Live Reviews
By Rebecca Martin
I became a fan of The Darkness in late 2004, too late to catch them on their U.S. tour. I’ve waited in vain since then to see them live. But now, in 2012, my patience has finally been rewarded. I traveled from South Carolina to New York City, Chicago, and Minneapolis with my St. Louis friends Andrea and Kim for one purpose: to see The fucking Darkness.
Crown Jewel Defense
I knew there were two opening bands on tour with TD, but I was determined to show, at most, polite disinterest as they were not the bands I came to see. It was an easy task with Crown Jewel Defense, the first opening band. While I’ll admit that the lead singer has long, pretty hair and was covered in glitter, my friends and I had long faces like children who had been dragged to church against their will. At one point, I remember thinking “Aargh! We still have to sit through one more band before we finally get to see The Darkness.” But my sentiments quickly changed once Foxy Shazam took the stage. More on that later.
In Chicago CJD singer Tyler’s mic went out and Andrea declared that it was the best they’d sounded yet. But by Minneapolis, they had grown on us and we tolerated them much more than we did in NYC; I even found myself singing along with a couple of their tunes. I have to admit that I was being less-than-fair to them in NYC. They showed a lot of courage in going out onstage to play songs at sold-out shows to audiences who are there to see someone else.
Foxy Shazam
It’s safe to say that I’ve never seen anything like Foxy Shazam. All six members command the stage with a cohesive, united front of controlled, writhing, upbeat insanity, which is everything a good rock show should be. Eric Nally is the gymnastic, glittery leather-clad singer. Most reviewers have compared him to Freddie Mercury. While the flawless harmonies on their new album are certainly reminiscent of Queen’s best years, possibly a nod to the influences of producer Justin Hawkins, I found Nally’s stage energy more akin to James Brown. I haven’t seen any other singers who in the course of a 5-7 song setlist boogie and bebop with a mic stand, leap-frog onto the guitarist’s shoulders, fall to their knees, bounce right back up and somersault across the stage. Eric Nally does all of this. I envision him walking offstage afterwards and collapsing onto a nearby chair from all the energy he’s expended.
Potential hecklers be warned: don’t fuck with Eric while he’s onstage trying to do his thing. He’ll call you out then put you in your place, much to the delight of the rest of the audience. In Chicago, he told one such heckler “the difference between you and me is that you’re looking up and I’m looking down.” In other words “shut the fuck up and let me do my show.”
In Minneapolis, there seemed to be a lot more Foxy fans than at the other two gigs I attended. Once the band took the stage, the floor was crammed with drunk and/or sweaty bodies. At one point, guitarist Loren Turner crowd-surfed a bit. The crowd seemed to surge in two opposite directions: forward to catch and hold him or to the side to keep him from landing on your head. After three shows, I am officially hooked on Foxy.
The Darkness
The audience was kept sonically entertained with a decent mix of rock songs as we impatiently watched the roadies set up the stage. I distinctly remember hearing Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin. But then suddenly the music got much louder as the appropriate choice of Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys Are Back in Town” began to play. Maybe The Darkness has always played it, but it seemed especially suitable on their third date in their too-brief North American tour.
ABBA’s “Arrival” now began to play and everyone knew this was the moment before the moment we’d all been waiting for. The lights dimmed and the exhilarating roar of the audience greeted The Darkness as they came out, opening the show with “Black Shuck.” I got very emotional at this point and one or two tears may or may not have escaped each of my eyes. Have I mentioned I’ve been waiting for The Darkness for seven years?! I just couldn’t believe that I was finally seeing The Darkness. They were really there, right before my eyes, rocking their asses off. However, I pulled it together quickly…there was no fucking way I was missing one of my favorite bands playing one of my favorite songs from their catalogue.
From what I’ve observed in their live performances I’ve seen on DVDs, it never takes Justin very long to disrobe once he’s onstage. He made it through Black Shuck but then took off the vest of the costume he wore. Wonder Woman’s costume should be rebooted to look just like Americana rocker vest and trousers that Justin wore onstage for the first part of the performance. (Seriously, how can WW be expected to fight crime effectively in booty shorts and a tube top?)
After the New York gig, I got my picture taken with Frankie, Dan, and Justin. I asked Justin after the show to play Hazel Eyes in Minneapolis, since that show coincided with my birthday, but I got politely shot down as he teased, ‘I don’t think I’d be able to remember the words.’ Despite the fact that I knew he was joking, four varied emotional responses went through my head.
- (sarcasm) Oh yeah, you have a whopping catalogue of 50 songs; I can see how a person could forget lyrics to so many songs.
- (anger)That’s what you have fucking rehearsals for
- (pleading)But…I’ll make cue cards! I’ll SING the words to you!
- (guilt trip)The Sunday show is my birthday…you owe us; you never came back to tour One Way Ticket like you promised
I’m proud of myself for refraining from any of those comments. Anyone who knows me can verify that I don’t always possess that much self-control. After the Chicago and Minneapolis gigs, I’m even prouder of my restraint as making any of those comments would have made me feel bad, knowing what I know now.
In Chicago, about halfway through the show, Justin said “We’ve had some requests…play more songs from One Way Ticket. Who here has been to any of our other shows? [cue my friends screaming, then Justin points to us] This is for you [play Hazel eyes]
Time-Out Chicago’s review of the show said “Hawkins…led the band through the highlights of its two-album catalog (“Hazel Eyes” and “Giving It Up” were among the most electric).”
Hey, Justin, how ‘bout you let me plan the band’s set list for your promised U.S. summer tour. I seem to know what your other American fans want to hear. All joking aside, I was so shocked that they were actually playing the song, I couldn’t even sing along with the first verse. I just kept saying over and over again, “I don’t believe it!! They’re playing Hazel Eyes!”
In Minneapolis, Justin said “on our tour, most of the songs we play are from our first album; we haven’t played much from the second album.” I knew where this was heading, so I waited for an appropriate pause from Justin and shouted “Hazel Eyes.” Justin smiled down at me and said “this lady wants to hear Hazel Eyes.” Justin watched and listened to the crowd as they erupted into approving screams and applause. (I’d like to reiterate my earlier offer to plan your setlist for you.) He then smiled back at me and said “okay” as if to say “yeah, alright, I’ll play this song for you.” According to Kim, Justin kept looking over at me while singing the first verse, but I couldn’t tell because his hair was in his eyes and I was too busy singing along to notice anything but the words to Hazel Eyes. This whole “Hazel Eyes” situation tells me that The Darkness is a band that actually gives a shit about what their fans want, which gives them major points in my book. Because of his kindness to this particular fan, Justin Hawkins now occupies a very special place in my heart, making this, hands-down, the best birthday I’ve ever had.
In my travels for the three gigs, people asked me what brought me to the city in question. When I told them, some people got the clear look of judgment in their eyes. To people like that, I’d like to say the following: Don’t judge me for following a band that I love, that I’ve been a fan of for 7 years. We’ve all made our choices in life. You choose what to spend your money on. Mortgage, spouse, children, family pet, family vehicle, those are all ordinary things to me that everyone has. I’ve always known that I didn’t want an ordinary life: I didn’t want the exact same life that everyone else had. I wanted my life to stand out and count for something in my memory, the only one that counts. Rock and roll is my husband and my children. The bands I love are my mortgage and my SUV. Don’t fuck with me or my family or you’re going down.
Foxy Shazam USA Tour
Blimey. I think that’s the best tour date poster I’ve ever seen. (and, of course, I like it. A LOT. That’s gonna run and run…)
The Darkness, Foxy Shazam, Crown Jewel Defense – East Coast America
The Darkness, Foxy Shazam, Crown Jewel Defense, a set by BrandiLynnDesign on Flickr.
The lovely Brandi Lukas has allowed us to share some of her photos on OI – they’re from Boston, New York and Washington. Follow the link for them all. Thanks, Brandi! She also has a blog where you can see more of her work.
The Darkness – Rock On The Range
The Darkness will be playing at the above Rock bash in Columbus, Ohio – the event runs May 18th-20th. Foxy Shazam are also listed. For more info and ticket sales, see the event site .
The Darkness – New York 4.2.12 – Day 1
Review by Laurie Whitecloud
Well it’s been a really long 8 years since The Darkness has played live here in the U.S. I’ve already planned on a Southwestern state road trip to hit some gigs when my friend Dori – who went with me to see the boys off on the Rally to Hell – offers to buy me a ticket to New York (the ticket, not the plane fare) since I bought her ticket to Phoenix! I’m all over that like hot syrup on pancakes. Let’s rock!
Dori has made a fashionable new catsuit for the occasion. On the train ride over to the gig, I tell her she should tweet her pic of herself in it to Justin and ask for a retweet. So we giggle and she sends the tweet to Justin, and almost immediately there’s a retweet posted. Sweet!
We found our friend Brandi, another diehard TD fan, and are walking around the block when all of a sudden Brandi goes “There’s Frankie!” – a lo and behold, there was the Frankster! So we manage to catch him to ask for pics and signage for my badass beaded Darkness medallion, which he asks if I made and I said yes. He remembered a pic that Brandi had made him 8 years ago, and that made her night! He also complimented Dori’s catsuit and then he really had to get inside – he was late! Then, we chat up Sky from Foxy Shazam for a little bit and try to help him locate somewhere to eat in the area. Then we meet some other friends in line in front of Irving Plaza and wait for doors to open.
It was the longest wait ever! We had a nice chat with Michelle, aka Flaming Priest from the former Flaming Priest TD website, and her friend Melissa, and of course Mistress Boo and Dre and their friends were there. FINALLY, doors open at a little past 8 and we’re off to the barrier! It ends up just being me, Brandi and Dori parked on Dan’s side of the stage, and everyone else has taken off to stake out their places.
Well, Crown Jewel Defense tried their best to win over the tough New York crowd but some people in the balcony were chanting “No more songs!”, which was unfortunate. The lead singer just shrugged it off and said just one more song, then Foxy Shazam would be on. I like CJD, but I think most of the people were just anxious for TD.
Foxy Shazam was next. I was curious to see which songs from their new album “The Church of Rock n Roll” would be played, and how the crowd would react to THEM if they didn’t like CJD. But my boys Foxy ended up rocking the house and won over some new fans. Songs that were new were Holy Touch, The Temple and I Like It. They also played The Only Way to My Heart is With An Axe, Oh Lord, Rocketeer, and Killin It. Eric also managed to do his famous lit cigarette-eating routine, which was sorely missed by me in London. Awesome show, guys!
Tick tock, tick tock! It’s like David Lee Roth in Hot for Teacher “Aw man, the clock is sloooooow!” The waiting is the hardest part, as the great philosopher Tom Petty once said. We’ve been treated to a screen with different videos and images on it in between sets, but now the guys behind me are chanting “Raise the shit!” (meaning the video screen!) and we’re now singing very loudly along to Just What I Needed by the Cars, the The Boys Are Back In Town. The excitement is palpable! Then the sweet sounds of Arrival are finally heard. I’m doing the arm wave to this as is customary in the UK, but my countrymen need to learn this move!
AND THEN THERE THEY ARE!!! Dan, Frankie, Ed and Justin! THE DARKNESS IN THE USA, FINALLY, AGAIN! Sorry for all the caps, but it needs to be screamed. The crowd goes apeshit and Justin just stands there, cool as fuck with the Darkness sunglasses from the Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Video shielding his eyes from all the adoration and he’s wearing his brand-spanking-new catsuit with stars and stripes. Captain America ain’t got nothing on him!
They rip in Black Shuck and they have the crowd eating out of their hands for the rest of the gig. The new tunes are really stellar and I can’t wait for the new album! Video can be had at You Tube, but I think the songs besides NGSU and Out of This World are She’s Just A Girl and Everybody Have a Good Time. I know all diehard TD devotees know that most of PTL was played, and OWT and Is It Just Me from OWT, but the biggest surprise was the addition of Physical Sex to the setlist! I have an affinity for that song as it is my favorite B-side and of course, touchyfeelywoman is my screen name at Darklings. I was happy!
Random observations: Dan was extremely bouncy at the gig. Not just his hair, but he was literally jumping up and down at the gig. They all were really happy! Some people in the crowd started chanting for Justin to “Take it off! Take it off!”, so of course he had to take off his vest! I had to leave the 2nd row near the end of the set because it got way too hot and the idiot next to me wouldn’t stop crowding me. Long story short, I managed to get back inside after IBIATCL and Bareback, then stayed near the edge of the crowd for Justin’s walkabout during LOTRWNI. He came right in front of me and so I touched his elbow. Very proper, me! lol! Then he jumped onto a platform right beneath the balcony and continued to solo, the very place where some drunk chick had crawled up and jumped into the crowd earlier. This crowd was nuts! Body surfing was everywhere. When Justin commented how loud Boston was, the New York crowd had to out-loud them lol! 
It was an epic evening. I didn’t hear one bad word about the gig. We wanted to hang around afterwards to try to say hi to the band, but Dori and I had to catch the last train back to New Jersey and Brandi had to catch her train too. Next time, fellas! and Welcome Back to the U.S.!! See, we weren’t lying when we gave you that petition when we said you had a lot of fans who wanted you back here. See you in Vegas!
Photos from this gig are now in the Gallery.
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us – The Darkness
This first new release in years is downloadable for free now.
The accompanying video is a dream of animation by Thom Lessner and Ted Passon. Look out for your entire Darkness collection in that bedroom (can’t see the stick of rock yet! Is it there?) and watch out for some references to past Darkness doings. Ed’s hair fluffing is causing giggles, too. And, of course, cats of a superior nature. I’d just like to damn the unfortunate lack of any internet access all day till just now, preventing me from seeing it.
Foxy Shazam – The Church of Rock and Roll
Foxy Shazam. What, you may say, is all that about? Well might you ask. For those who haven’t been baptised into this Church, settle back. Those that have, you’ll know all about the strangely off-sweetness of Foxy’s being.
You might have seen them supporting The Darkness during their UK tour last November, or have seen them moons ago at the Camden Barfly. I can bet that wherever it was, you won’t forget it. There’s ALWAYS something happening, when they’re on stage. ALWAYS. A band that never stands still, never rests, never loses a chance to entertain. Eyes take time to rest on Skye playing keyboards with his feet, and you’ve missed Alex playing his trumpet whilst doing a one handed, thrusting crabstand. Look away for a second, and Eric is on shoulders, as if he’s apparated there. Photographers can’t keep up. Eric’s voice tears at your ears and psyche both as he delivers powerful, sometimes shatteringly high notes from a slender frame that seems too frail to contain such richness… but don’t be deceived. The man’s made of steel – hard, unforgiving, sharp, bright and flexible – especially where hecklers are concerned.
Given their well known association with Justin Hawkins (Eric and Justin have long been songwriting together, Justin produced this album, support slots on Darkness UK and USA tours), it’s tempting to look for another embryo Darkness. Forget that. Foxy Shazam have been around for a good long time. This is their 4th album and they have live experience that bands would sell their shoes for. Last year, the two bands complemented each other perfectly while contrasting starkly. Foxy Shazam are far darker than The Darkness in tone and presence. They have levels of sleaze and storytelling methods that would not suit TD. To describe more fully, try hard rock disco (dickso?☺) 70′s frenzy with cool blues dirty trumpet under/overtones. It works equally well at whatever tempo, whatever emotional level.
This album, out a week ago, is all that. Start with the get down dirty title track and I Like It, move through pop twists to Last Chance at Love. I Wanna Be Yours and Wasted Feelings have hypnotic repetitions, vocal treatments and rhythms. Forever Together will give sweet chills with an easy, cool summery feel – but beware of this and the deceptively simple treatments given throughout. This is not music that trips happily through love and life. It digs far deeper than that. You’re never far from that dirty little edge of voice or instrument, crafted by men who know how. Power is seldom absent, whether it’s lyrical, vocal or instrumental. Foxy Shazam do indeed give a little enigma back to rock and roll, and a little enema is gifted, too – so it should be.
I want to see all this on stage, because I want to see/hear these songs with the raw passion of performance pulsing through. When you leave a gig with wide eyes and ‘What the FUCK was that?’ on your lips, you’ve seen something special. Had an epiphany, even. The Church’s services aren’t for the fainthearted or closed-minded, and I like it. A lot.
Foxy Shazam – out on USA tour with The Darkness starting 1st Feb in Toronto. See the tour dates page for more info, but move fast for tickets.
The Church of Rock and Roll is out now on iTunes, or see the band’s Facebook page for further info on album/tshirt/artwork bundles.
