Interview With UK Rockers ‘The Darkness’

You might remember the British rock band The Darkness, most likely for their hit single, “I Believe In a Thing Called Love” from their debut album Permission to Land. Since then, they’ve released two other albums, with their fourth album The Last of Our Kind due out on June 1st. Their authentic, no holds barred classic rock sound has carved them out a nice little niche over the years, and they intend to stick with that here.

With a tour on the way, bassist Frankie Poullain seems as enthused as can be about the album’s prospects.

Is there anything that the band wanted to tweak style-wise moving forward from previous records with your forthcoming album, Last of Our Kind?

We wanted something fuller sounding and more emotive. To me the album is red, yellow and black – the red is for blood and battle, the yellow is madness and sunshine and the black is death, plain and simple. Red, yellow and black is a combination one doesn’t see too often stylistically, the exception being the German national flag. I have no idea what this means. Or what I’m talking about.

Is the title of the album, The Last of Our Kind, a reference to you guys being one of the last bands within pop culture who plays rock music in that very “glam metal” influenced style? Or otherwise?

To rationalize or deconstruct an album title is the wisdom of a fool.

What unique dynamics did Emily Dolan Davies add musically on the drums?

See above. Ed was Ed and Emily is Emily. Her energy and attitude are fantastic, she really is unique. Judge for yourself.

What is the significance of the narration during the song “Barbarian”?

Haha. Pretty self explanatory I think! ‘Barbarian’ and ‘Roaring Waters’ are frontman Justin’s imaginings of actual historical events, dramatic re-enactments if you like. I think he does an incredible job of condensing the stories into these little poems, invariably utilizing ‘le mot juste’ as the French say, the right word. Justin never puts a foot wrong in these situations and if it ever looks like he does, it’s probably because he’s doing it for surreal or humorous effect.

What influenced your use of animation in the music video for “Barbarian”?

Phillis Darkling, the band secretary, unearthed a gem of a fellow by the name of Nick Roche – a very talented Irish animator and a Darkness fan to boot. From then on we had no choice. It was only supposed to be a ‘lyric video’ and judged on those terms it’s probably the greatest one ever made.

The band has described “Wheels of the Machine” as a very personal song, and it certainly is one of the more reserved tracks on the album. Is there anything in particular that influenced the stylistic choices for that track?

It’s obviously pure emotion, so I prefer to focus on that, as opposed to stylistic choices because that’s not how it works: Pain. Heartache. Frustration. Entrapment. Existential anguish. I love it, I have to say. Emily really lays it down and Dan did an amazing job on guitar to give the song a sonic identity. I’m sick of people putting Justin in the clown or vaudevillian entertainer box. To them I say, read it and weep.

Has there ever been a temptation to compromise your sound in order to attain further commercial success?

Of course not. Personally I dislike the production on the second album, but I don’t think that was an attempt to compromise the sound for commercial reasons. It was simply a genuine attempt to deliver a concept album about cocaine.

What are your touring plans in support of Last of Our Kind?

Everywhere, announcements upcoming. We can’t wait. It’s been too long, especially Down Under – and that’s not a sexual euphemism!

What bands would you say have influenced The Darkness the most?

My Bloody Valentine, The Cardiacs, Radiohead, Adam and the Ants, Suede and Empire. Our real fans will get that.

Which current bands are influencing you guys now?

What raisin have you got for asking me about currant bands? ‘The Sultanas of Swing’ are berry good.

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A huge thanks to Frankie Poullain for taking time out of his busy schedule to sit down with us, and be sure to pick up a copy of Last of Our Kind when it’s released on June 1st!