Celebrating a remarkable milestone, the British rock band The Darkness marks 25 years in the music industry with the release of their latest album, “Dreams on Toast,” which debuted in March. The band is set to perform at the Agora in Cleveland on September 21, with a growing sense of nostalgia and accomplishment evident in the words of guitarist Dan Hawkins.
Reflecting on the journey, Hawkins conveyed a blend of excitement and wistfulness during a recent interview from his home in England. “Twenty-five years feels like such a long time,” the 48-year-old musician remarked, acknowledging life’s rapid pace. He described the whirlwind of his personal experiences—marriage, raising three children—while also noting the relentless schedule of touring and recording. “It feels like just yesterday,” he said, emphasizing the joy and challenges that have accompanied their journey.
The band, comprised of Hawkins, his brother and frontman Justin Hawkins, original bassist Frankie Poullain, and drummer Rufus Tiger Taylor—the son of Queen’s Roger Taylor—has much to celebrate. Their debut album, “Permission to Land,” released in 2003, topped the U.K. charts and propelled the band into international stardom with the hit single “I Believe in a Thing Called Love.” Over the years, they have released seven additional albums, garnering numerous accolades, including awards from the Brit Awards and Classic Rock Roll of Honour.
Despite their success, Dan Hawkins insists that the core values of humor and fun have remained intact between him and his brother. “We still live for taking the piss out of each other and having a laugh,” he quipped, adding that the essence of their music-making process hinges on enjoyment. “As soon as it’s not fun, I don’t think we should do it.”
In a recent social media post, Hawkins criticized the tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne during the MTV Video Music Awards, calling it “another nail in the coffin of rock ‘n’ roll,” a sentiment echoed by Justin in a subsequent YouTube video. This candidness reflects the band’s unapologetic approach to both their music and public persona.
The recording of “Dreams on Toast” involved a shift in their creative process, according to Dan Hawkins. He explained that the album was influenced by the eclectic nature of The Beatles’ “White Album”, which inspired a collaborative atmosphere in the studio. “I loved the idea that anyone can bring anything in and work on it,” he said, highlighting the freedom and creativity that characterized the album’s development.
The result has been a resurgence for The Darkness, particularly in the U.K., where the album peaked at number two on the charts, marking their best performance since their debut. The ten tracks of the album were carefully selected from nearly 150 ideas, with some dating back to the band’s early days. “If you can remember it after 25 years, then it means it was good,” Hawkins stated, underlining their commitment to quality songwriting.
Looking ahead, Hawkins expressed eagerness to return to the studio. He believes the current process fosters better songwriting, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and mutual recognition of a song’s potential. “We like that, yeah. But I’m very much looking forward to recording a plug-in-and-go-for-it next album,” he said, hinting at exciting future projects.
The Darkness will perform at the Agora, located at 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, with doors opening at 19:00. Tickets start at $50, and fans can find more information at agoracleveland.com or by calling 216-881-2221. As they celebrate their past and look to the future, The Darkness continues to thrive as a distinctive force in the rock music landscape.