PTL 10th Anniversary – The Darkness Argentina

The lovely people running this South American site were a joy to talk to!

Analia

When did you first find out about The Darkness?


Well, it was in late 2004 I think, here MUCH MUSIC and MTV did not stop showing the video “I Believe In A Thing Called Love”, they showed more than 10 or 15 times a day at least that’s what I remember. What I remember is that I never came to see the whole thing, but one day I did, and it was something like ‘Holy Shit!’ I loved it, it was great, it was true Rock!

What did you think of them?


First, what I thought was that the video is somewhat strange, the aesthetics of the video was like the old videos but more humorous, the colors used, the clothes, everything was like in old times. The voice of Justin impacted on me, a voice that was very clean … Wow … still do not think I can explain it, just petrified me, I feel it in my ear right to the brain, is a great feeling.  The Darkness were a breath of fresh air. The new rock bands do not use instruments as they do, there are impressive guitar solos, the drums can be seen without this taking away the importance of the bass, it seems rather simple when you say it but it is difficult to achieve this harmony. They did it and their first album, it’s important to note.
 Here in Argentina came not much information about them, some interviews from time to time, but from what I saw at that time, I knew I really enjoyed what they were doing. I loved that touch of humor that they placed on everything. Justin was very flamboyant Imagine, I was a teenager when I fell in the spell of The Darkness, but I think even with my current age would do it again…in fact I’m sure would fall on their charm over and over again.

When did you get the album?

It was after a few months of listening to the first video of The Darkness … was after christmas 2004, here was hard to find, but a friend gave it to me.  I know he had to do much to get it.

What were your favorite tracks? Why? Are your favorites the same ones now?

This is a difficult to answer. For when I had the album in my hands I had already heard a million times “I Believe In A Thing Called Love,” which still remains one of my favorites, but my favorite was “Growing on Me”. I liked the power of the song, the lyrics, and the feeling that Justin conveyed to sing, I think every time I hear that song I feel a emotion that does not make me feel any other song in the world, even today is still my favorite. Although in those days “Givin ‘up” was my soundtrack for each night out, we can say that at that time I lived too much rock, too much, haha, were crazy times, and The Darkness was always with me. 
”Love is Only a Feeling” was the romantic song for excellence, of that I have no doubt I listened to that song with a broken heart many times. 
”Get Your Hands Off My Woman” that was another of my favorites, is part of my subconscious rebel and wild, it does not explain why the lyrics of this song, the instruments sounding as if they would collapse the world says it all, doesn’t need much explanation. 

Favourites the same ones now?
 Yes, they are my favorites still.

What reaction did you have to each track?

Black Shuck: When I first heard, was strange but in a good way, I liked but did not understand well that was what I liked, then I realized it was a set of things, the lyrics and the instruments, I think could not have been a better combination, that lyrics with another rhythm could not exist, is completely wild, I like. 
Stuck in a Rut: this is good, the lyrics mostly everyone feels this way, everyone would have to love this song …
”Oh, kiss my ass, kiss my ass goodbye 
Propelled by a carriage of aluminum am I
 No more to rot In this stye 
Turn my back on this shit-hole in the blink of an eye ♪ ♫ ♪ “
and listen to Justin screaming …
”And the road is long and the lights are bright
 Just ‘cos you’ve lived here all your life does not make it alright 
And the Golden Mile is paved with shite”.
 That’s great, everything in this song says: all is a shit, I’m outta here, who does not like this song?
 Friday Night: it’s a happy song, also the video, I liked it all, when I listen now today I still feel that I am teenager like at that time, was a song I listened in the morning to start a happy day, even the still do. 
Love on the Rocks: When I listened to this song for the first time, I was a little depressed, I was having a hard time with my boyfriend at the time … were years and the relationship was dead, but seemed that no one noticed. So I really liked this song, expressing all that I felt were my feelings in a song, every note, every syllable, every, everything in it perfectly expresses the story of a dead relationship, giving the last breath of life…
and finally, “Holding my Own”, which was felt when I listen? I think the whole song speaks for itself, the melody, the lyrics, as I had told you, was a bit depressed, so a perfect fit in those days. It’s a sad song about rescuing the little pride that one is left in situations like that.
 Is very beautiful and harmonious, very sweet, with feelings.

Did The Darkness and PTL change your life? How?


Definitely did, because I have more than 28 years, so I was too young back then to have lived the good rock bands but too old to be satisfied with crap bands of that time. It gave me hope that good music was even alive. The Darkness is the eternal promise of Rock.

What was the music scene like in your country before The Darkness?
 Honestly … I was not very pleased with anything, there was a lot of music away, had some good bands, but do not remember their names, so I think I did not pay much attention, because if it were that would remember their names. They were of course the usual old national bands, all very good, but do not count because they are not born that time, all already existed long before.

Has it changed over the years?


No, I’m sorry to say that we do not improve or change anything. Although we only have our good old national rock bands like Vox Dei, Norberto Pappo Napolitano, Rata Blanca, Soda Stero, Luis Alberto Spinetta, Charly Garcia, Andres Calamaro, Hermetica, those are some of the best. 
I think the music scene is in decline here, I do not know what we will do when our national rock idols are no longer with us, I prefer not to think about it.

What would you do without The Darkness?

 
Oh God, I’d rather not think about it! It would be something devastating, like when they parted, it was horrible, hope to have good new rock was dead and I was at his funeral crying. That’s how I felt that time was bad for me, they were the voice of my feelings and that voice was not there, I hope not to ever happen again. Over the years one gives great affection to The Darkness, because they are very kind, are always attentive to their fans, always answer our questions and concerns, the days that they were here in our country were so helpful, we saw to them on several occasions and always received us with a smile. They are the best rock band of the latter times and the best rock band in dealing with fans, I can only conclude this saying I love The Darkness, to each of them for what they were, what they are and what they will be.

Matías


When did you first find out about The Darkness?


Probably with ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love’ video in 2003. My brother and I loved the style and the music, so he 
bought the album and we listened to it a lot!

What did you think of them?


I thought it was a very welcome change for rock n roll. Their style was crazy, their videos were funny as hell and the 
album rocked. It was a time with no new bands that really rocked, and The Darkness saved us all!

When did you get the album?


When ‘I believe in a thing called love’ was airing heavily on channels like MTV and Much Music, like I said, my brother 
and I were instantly hooked so he bought the album.

What were your favourite tracks? Why? Are your favourites the same ones now?

By the time the album came out, I was 9. I didn’t understand English, so it would be very funny for me to hear words 
that I could understand, so “Friday Night” was one of the songs I listened to a lot, since it was singing about “Ping-
Pong” and “Badminton”, it was so funny! Same thing goes to “Givin’ Up”, I just couldn’t understand why such a 
happy sounding song would be saying the word “Fuck” all over the chorus! 
Now I’m 19, and have been a musician since 8. Over the time I started to pay more attention to musical 
arrangements, specially the guitar parts. So songs like “Stuck In A Rut”, “Love On The Rocks With No Ice”, “Get Your 
Hands Off My Woman” and many more quickly became my favorites.

What reaction did you have to each track?

Black Shuck: It’s the perfect introduction for The Darkness. Hard Rock n Roll, amazing voice, roaring guitars, no bull-
shit.
 Get Your Hands Off My Woman: I love how Justin sings the song, the lyrics are great and the guitars blast through 
the speaker. Plus, it’s hilarious how Justin does that thing at the end while playing the song live, making the people 
sing!
 Growing On Me: I loved the video with the little kids as Mini The Darkness, it was so cute! The song its an instant 
classic, period. 
I Believe In A Thing Called Love: This was the best track for the band, it made them famous, and they deserve it. We 
fans will never get tired of listening to it, it’s pure greatness! You can’t just not sing the chorus!
 Love is Only A Feeling: I usually hate ballads, but this one rocks. I love all the additional instruments they played, like 
mandolins and acoustic guitars, it was a nice detail. Plus, how can you go wrong with a guitar solo played in the 
mountains? That’s Rock & Roll! 
Givin Up: All I can say is, WOW, that guitar solo is face-melting. Love singing along to it every time! 
Stuck In A Rut: I like how it’s connected with the ending of Givin Up, its very natural and I love it, I have them 
connected as 1 track on my mp3 player, and they play it live that way also! The song is a hard rocker, Dan has that 
guitar on fire, one of my faves!
 Friday Night: Another one we all love. The lyrics are hilarious, the video is so funny too! I want to be able to see the 
band live so I can just scream-along with this one, love it!
 Love On The Rocks With No Ice: Again, just WOW. Huge rock n roll anthem material, I freakin love rockin out to this 
tune, and live it’s mindblowing as a longer version. To say it in just 1 word? ROCK-N-ROLL. 
Holding My Own: The thing you gotta love about The Darkness, are the lyrics, I mean, come on! Who writes songs 
like these and gets away with a great rockin tune if not The Darkness? Proof that this band is the best in the world.

Did The Darkness and PTL change your life?

The Darkness certainly holds a special chapter in my musical book, my brother loves Queen and I love AC/DC, and to 
us, The Darkness is the perfect mix between them. It’s one of my favorite bands and I’m so happy it exists and keeps 
on rockin till today and hopefully for a long time! 
PTL was what started all for me (like most fans) and will forever remain as one of the best rock albums ever made.

What would you do without them?


Probably I would still listen to other music I like, but honestly, The Darkness are unique and when they first broke up 
it was awful. My brother and I were devastated, as it was such a big loss for rock n roll. And it was so amazing to 
hear about their return, their new album and tour and I also heard they promised a new album for 2014!! So it’s an 
excellent thing for rock n roll that they’re out here today.
 When The Darkness played their only show so far in Argentina, it was supporting Lady Gaga, and they only played 8 
songs. Since the tickets were expensive, because of Lady Gaga, I could only afford the cheap tickets, so far away 
from the stage. It was sure as hell worth it anyway, but I wanted the band to know, that there were a lot of The 
Darkness fans that bought a ticket just for them and left after their gig ended, and since you were in the stage so far 
away, you might not know this! So here’s for a hope you come back with a show of your own some time! Rock On!

Maxi Dries


When did you first find out about The Darkness?

In 2003, because IBIATCL video was on MTV…I become tttally mad.

What did you think of them?


They rock! I mean, they actually sound like a band of seventies, my favourite kind of sound. They rock like in the old days. We miss that in these times.

When did you get the album?


2003, of course Permission to Land.

What were your favourite tracks? Why? Are your favourites the same ones now?


Friday Night, Love is Only a Feeling, IBIATCL. Outstanding tracks, is the perfect sound of that time in my life. They mean so much for me. Girlfriend, Hazel Eyes and Is is Just Me, from ‘Ticket’…I remember my interpretation of the álbum at the time, while I was breaking up with my girlfriend.

What reaction did you have to each track?

Always electrifying, those put me on fire!

Did The Darkness and PTL change your life? How?

They show me a new path to follow in music. I was waiting for them to reunite, I was in heaven when heard the news. Gooood!

What was the music scene like in your country before The Darkness?


Quite boring.

Has it changed over the years?


I hear new bands with clear influence of TD, that’s good news for the musical scene here.

What would you do without them?

A cover band, to play that music! Haha.

Analia

We can only say thanks to The Darkness, thanks for your great music, thanks for being the soundtrack of our lives, thanks for being in every moment of our lives, thanks also for being so kind to us fans. 
Always we trust that The Darkness create your own way to continue giving life to rock, we love them, they have our full support in everything they do … and of course we want them back in Argentina … Latin America also wants to party the anniversary of Permission to Land!

Thanks for their enthusiasm and passion!

 

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