THE DARKNESS
Ahead of The Darkness’ taking to Hindley Street Music Hall’s stage this January 30, Dan Hawkins from the iconic brit-rock band sits down for a chat with The Note about the 20th anniversary of their acclaimed debut album, Permission To Land, and giving the middle finger to A&R departments.
It’s been 20 years since the release of the iconic Permission to Land, which went four times platinum. When it launched in July 2003, did you ever think it would have the longevity to sell a 1000+ venue Australian Tour after two decades?
We were trying to write classics and perform in the way our heroes had done – bands like AC/DC, Queen, ABBA. So we definitely had the ambition. We just didn’t expect it to happen the way it did – it went off like a rocket! But my plan was to become big by album five. And by ‘big’, I mean become a professional! What are some of the memories that stand out from Permission to Land?
Can’t remember that much as we were working really hard and partying even harder. I hadn’t even had a holiday up to that point in my adult life as we’d been slogging it out in poverty in London for 11 years. So suddenly being flown all over the world to places like Japan, Australia and the USA was pretty mind-blowing. Recording and producing the album was also a great learning process. There were a few tracks I got to really spend some time on – tracks like ‘I Believe’ and ‘Love Is Only A Feeling’ – and the rest we knocked out live in a two-week session. The mix of the true two approaches really works.While a rock album through and through, Permission to Land has elements of glam meta and ballads, mixed in with brighter, bubblier tracks like ‘Friday Night’ and heavier ones like ‘Black Shuck’. Are certain members responsible for specific sounds?
No, not really. We just wrote a song and then hunted down the best way to present it – usually following our instincts.What tracks from the record do you hold a special spot for?
I love the song ‘Givin’ Up’. And I think ‘Love Is Only A Feeling’ came out pretty good.You’ve said The Darkness was not being taken as seriously as other bands at the time, like you were almost a Spinal Tap outfit. An A&R Man even went as far as to say the industry thought you were a “joke” and “uncool”. What was your reaction?
‘Fuck them – we’ll do it ourselves!’ Which we did. Our first three releases were independent, with the third, ‘Growing On Me’, going Top 10. It was only after that we were bothered by labels. But we were angry about it and pretty much developed a life-long disrespect for A&R departments.While teetotal now, your brother and frontman Justin Hawkins attributes some success seen by The Darkness to living the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle and showing the naysayers that you’re the real deal. Are there any memories that stand out?
We had some great times back then – utter rock ‘n’ roll debauchery – but we have even better times, now to be fair. What comes along with a great night is a horrible morning. Now we have a great time all the time!How do you think the industry has changed since Permission to Land dropped?
CD sales going down the swanny has meant less investment in new bands. A band would sign three album deals off the bat and then be given tour support. Doesn’t happen anymore!The Darkness reformed in 2011, and you’ve since released five albums, including 2021’s release, Motorheart (featuring an ode-to-a-sex-robot song). Are there plans for new music?
An album of classic songs – hopefully early 2025!Outside of your 2020 tour, what are some of your favourite times in Australia?
The Big Day Out tour is still one of the things we reminisce about. All those bands being thrown together into the same hotel – into the same bars, onto the same planes. It was just carnage, like some sort of experiment! Unforgettable times.Catch The Darkness at Hindley Street Music Hall on January 30. Tickets on sale now.
