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Justin at the UEA 2006

Justin just out

Although there's no official statement from Atlantic Records, the band's website has sent out emails informing us that Justin Hawkins has left Lowestoft rock giants The Darkness.

The Darklings email reads: "The remaining members will be keeping the flame burning. The official line seems to have confirmed it [Justin's departure] despite not being able to make an official statement at this time for legal reasons. In a spin but everything will be A-OK."

The title track and video from the band's second album 'One Way Ticket' alludes to cocaine-use. An interview with Justin in The Sun national newspaper suggest he wants to regain his health, but there could be other reasons for the singer bailing out.

The spectacular multi-million sales of the debut album 'Permission To Land' were not repeated with the second and many people are thinking that the band's star burnt brightly but briefly. However, 'One Way Ticket' and the recent shows did still receive some critical acclaim - not least on the BBC's Suffolk website!

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Justin was sporting a small beer belly on the UK tour early in 2006. With characteristic humour he admitted it was all down to drinking and told the audience at the Norwich UEA that it was "all bought and paid for!"

The Darkness

It's anyone's guess where that leaves the band now. Justin was the focal point of The Darkness and it's hard to see how a replacement could be found from within or without the band.

In The Darkness' field of rock AC/DC, Deep Purple, Genesis and Black Sabbath managed to keep going following the death or departure of a charismatic lead singer, but that sort of turnaround hasn't happened for quite a while now - and the lack of success of 'One Way Ticket' suggests they picked up a fickle audience too quickly.

That's not to say they could or should have done anything differently and fans can at least be content with 2 great albums and many great shows including the 'homecoming' gigs in Great Yarmouth in 2003 and the aforementioned one at the UEA this year.

Maybe they can recruit fellow Lowestoft singer Lil' Chris as a replacement.? He's even got the rock pedigree having been through Gene Simmons classroom!

last updated: 23/04/2008 at 15:31
created: 11/10/2006

Have Your Say

Could The Darkness survive without Justin?

Travis
justin is back with a new band finnaly. but what a shame to loose the darkness they were fantastic

Stefan
im over the darkness now their new band the stone gods are better i think :D

kyle - 14
well i started liking the darkness when i was 10 but without justin they'll be nothing because his voice is for that type of music

wiec
Freddie's reincarnation???

Toby evenden
no way dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meredith
They may go on, but Justin WAS the band in my eyes. He was the reason I started liking The Darkness because of his combination of wit, vocals, and looks. His vocal range... HA it rocked. I'm truely gonna miss The Darkness, they've been my favorite band for years. They kicked so much ass! But I have to be true to who I am a fan of, Justin's out and so am I.

bolan
Despite the greedy self-serving fans. Im hopeful that what ever issues Justin suffers from are cured in short order. See ya'll at the wolfmother shows!

TheDarknessIsJustin
Man there is no darkness witout justin.

Jonno Monko
WTF!! JUSTIN! U R THE BEST! How could you Justin dude, the darkness will suck, not to be insulting, but he is their lead, and no-one can sing like him!! I reckon they'll go down. I'm gonna buy their newest Album, but if it sucks, I'll be dissapointed... COME BACK DUDE!! STAY OFF THE COCAINE & DRUGS!!

jasmine
GET LOST JUSTIN

Evie
What a shame that they have to throw away their fame ...Dan is the man though ...Richie looks like throwback from the Rocky Horror Show..

carysthebiggestdarknessfanofall
i think that they can survive, but it will not be the same. the music will be very different but i think to carry on they need to move away from the thigs they did with justin.

kirstie
the band wouldn't be tha same without justin

hannah gibson
the band would never be the same without justin he will be missed by many fans xxxx we love you justin keep strong xxxx

hannah
the band would never be the same without justin and he was the one that brought the band to life and im sure he will be missed by many fans xxxx we love you justin keep strong xxxx

kirstie
it wont be the same with out him

jon
ceri ure silly justi had an amazin voice! peeps u gotta give richie a go dont b so negative. many peeps didnt lkike justins voice they liked the quitar solos and that element will still be there and richie might add a new feel and its not like u cant hear justin anymore hes got a solo career and its betta 4 hi to quit the darkness and be healthy than stay and die of drug overdose JUST LOOK AT SID VICIOUS!!!

Matty
Gutted.. Justin Hawkins is what made the darkness great! not only his searing vocals but he plays some of the best guitar since brian may, Im sure they'll be able to carry on, for some time. but they will never be the same without that god of a front man.

nine
Justin was the reason that I fell in love with The Darkness - those pipes were incredible. It'll never be the same. :\

GILLIAN ROADNIGHT
IM GUTTED HE LEFT THEY COULD GO ON WITHOUT HIM BUT IT WOULDNT B THE SAME IM JUST LUCKY I HAD CHANCE TO C THEM LIVE IN GLASGOW TWICE ROCK ON PS HELLOOOOOO ED

Luke
No acdc didn't break up after bon scott's death, but they have never been the same since. Yet I hope that i am proved wrong. The Darkness Rock!

kieran
heard that richie is goin take the reins as the new darkness frontman. as much a good bass player i dont quite think he will have quite the same impact as justin. its time to let the darkness go instead of causing the band anymore humiliation. r.i.p the darkness hope to she justin topping the charts in a very successful solo career in the near future

Cassie!!
OMG NO THE DARKNESS NEEDS JUSTIN!!! THE DARKNESS ROCK MA SOX I LOVE THEM AND ITS GONNA SUCK WIFF OUT JUSTIN HES MA AWESOME HOMIE!! love cassie!

tub
send out the search party and find the darkness another great lead singer... not richie edwards

Duncan Turner
The Darkness without that voice is just not The Darkness. If they stick together the rest of the band will get one more album out of it before going their seperate ways. However, I do think it is entirely possible for Justin to realise in time that he can be a clean living rock star and maybe that will tempt him back...

jamie-lee
The darkness are the best thing to hit the music industry since the sad death of freddie Mercury. They are all great but justin was a big part of the band. Kim you dontknow what your talking about

Lu - age 8
I was lucky 2 meet them backstage in February. They made me so happy. Justin is the greatest it woudnt be the same with out him. I want him to get well and come back 2 prove they are the best band ever!

Tommy
They will survive. The band becomes a tighter unit now while the songwriting doesn't revolve around just one guy anymore. Besides, One Way Ticket was so bad that their careers couldn't have gone on without changes in line-up and attitude. They're forced to reinvent themselves musically which is a very welcome thing basically.

Kim
I agree with Ceri,the darkness suck anyway they're better off without him.

richard
the darkness is nothing without justin, no way they could carry on without him

james
Justin's a freaking legend, he brought back the feel good factor to rock n roll, and actually brought some entertainment to the people, which is more than can be said for all these glum looking emo and indie bands.

Joe Perkins
Did AC/DC break up when Bon died? No. The Darkness will do the same.

Iain Berryman
Dan has always been the best put him up front!

manticore
they might as well split up.then again they could get a better singer/frontman.the stranglers did it with paul roberts after hugh cornwell left them.

Dave Gibb
Quite simple - they can't!

Lee Usher
Like him or loathe him the guy is a born entertainer and nobody will be able to replace him. I think the best thing would be for the band to chalk "Knackers" under the Darkness and move on to other projects...... even all together as opposed to seperate projects. The Darkness were/are nothing groundbreaking and are far from being one of my favourite bands...... however you cannot deny they were/are bloody entertaining and great at what they did. It would be a real shame to drag the bands dying body through the mud before it pitters out to nothing. Bow out gracefully guys..... Chalk "Knackers" under it and move on.

Shannon
Can anybody else sing like that?!

scoff
you cant survive when your front man has gone espeically with someone with his .he gives the band life and i think the band revoves around him the others are brilliant but none of them are frontmen.good luck justin,r.i.p the darkness

hellen-marie welch
i must be one if the only housewifes that think the darkness are fantastic,yes they will survive,but hopefully dont look for another justin,thier can only be one flaming god of rock. good luck guys.xxx ooo

ceri
the darkness are poo anyway i mean justin hawks cannot sing for a toffee if anyone thinks thats singing they must be tone deaf beacause he sound like a drowning rat

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