Viva Brighton Issue #58 December 2017

MUSIC
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The Darkness
On rock and roll and Christmas jumpers
Is it good to be back
on tour? You know
what, it feels like we’re
never off the road, but
it’s more enjoyable
than it’s ever been.
We’ve finally got the
line-up of our dreams
with a new drummer
called Rufus Taylor,
son of Roger [from
Queen]. There are
no raging hangovers,
everyone’s taking care of themselves and it’s a
non-destructive environment. Which is a relief! It’s
tough being away from the family, but that’s the
only downside.
How does your family life work? I’ve been doing
this job ever since I met my wife, so it’s always been
the same. In a way, I think I miss my family more
than they miss me! It can be pretty tough when the
kids are looking round the back of the computer
trying to give you a hug. The fact is, when I’m at
home I see more of my kids than most parents. I get
home sometimes for a couple of months and I can
be superdad.
Does superdad wear a jumpsuit? Of course, I’m
never out of my stage gear... Unfortunately it would
be covered in puke if that was the case. And not my
own for a change!
The new single Solid Gold is hilarious, how did
that come about? It’s a good example of the typical
Darkness thing where we shoot ourselves in the
foot. We had a great backing track, really great riff,
the whole arrangement was rocking. So Justin sat
down to work out what the song was about and I
basically said I’m going down the pub. When I got
back he sang the chorus to me, and I thought ‘for
f**k’s sake! Another
potential single down
the drain.’ Unbelievably
the label put it out,
even though it would
never stand a chance of
being played on radio.
What’s it like being
in a band with your
brother? It’s weird:
Justin and I bickered
and argued and fought
right up until he
moved out when he was 16. And ever since then
we’ve been really close. We’re very different, almost
polar opposite characters, and that makes it easier
as we’re not fighting for the same things I suppose.
We really didn’t like each other when we lived
together, but I guess we kind of live together now.
Is it true you’re both in an episode of Pointless?
Yeah, we’re doing a Christmas special that goes out
on the 23rd. I wouldn’t hold out any hopes though!
So many people I’ve spoken to have just gone wild
about it, but I had no idea what it was. The last time
I watched one of those gameshows it was probably
Blockbusters – a long time ago.
What’s Christmas like for The Darkness? We
tend to tour a lot in the UK because it’s a time
when anything cool goes out the window and the
silly jumpers come out. It’s something that resonates
with the band. I’d be lying if I said that when
our Christmas song comes on my kids don’t go
mental and start singing along. A lot of artists who
were one-hit-wonders have ironically been handed
longevity from Christmas singles. Absolutely
bizarre, but hey that’s Christmas! It’s the gift that
keeps on giving... As told to Ben Bailey
Brighton Dome, 11th December, 7pm
Photo by Simon Emmett
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