The Darkness

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no it's boring because it's predictable, unimaginative and stodgy.

Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 18:48 (twenty years ago) link

much like The Darkness. Sorry Fritz. It's just true. The newest Def Leppard is better than that fashionista nonsense.

doom-e, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 18:50 (twenty years ago) link

ilm hates fun

Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 19:17 (twenty years ago) link

they haven't been discussed much cos they're "the gaydad of 2003"? this doesn't add up. i love the single - good to hear the influence of queen being used well, for a change. i have yet to hear the album.

weasel diesel (K1l14n), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 19:26 (twenty years ago) link

I've heard them a few times now, and I've got to say I'm not very impressed. I bought Diamond Head's first album, and that's much, much better than the darkness. I just don't find them very convincing in any way.

Pashmina (Pashmina), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 19:51 (twenty years ago) link

Dear Pashmina,

You are wise. Please write for me again.

xxx

doom-e, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 19:53 (twenty years ago) link

I listen to almost nothing but metal and free jazz, and I've never heard of The Darkness.

Phil Freeman (Phil Freeman), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 19:55 (twenty years ago) link

now i remember why i split

Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 20:21 (twenty years ago) link

because no-one liked the darkness?

doom-e, Wednesday, 6 August 2003 20:24 (twenty years ago) link

ilm hates fun

but The Darkness are not fun.

I can't tell whether they're uncool in an ironic way or just uncool, and couldn't give a shit either way really. Zzzz.

The Lex (The Lex), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 21:13 (twenty years ago) link

I think they're great, really great. Stupid, but great. They're interesting in a way that's kind of been implied by the above discussion; it's hard to tell whether they're being serious or are taking the piss. I think they're doing both and/or something else (although I'm not sure what). Their irony is totally non-ironic. Seroiusness is totally non-serious. Plus they way he says gymnastics on track 8( i think) is awesome.

Neil, Thursday, 7 August 2003 07:26 (twenty years ago) link

Fritz don't give up hope! There haven't been many threads about them per se but there's been a lot of positive mentions and discussion - LOADS of the UK people like them.

Freaky Trigger was going to have a big article about them but I lost the notebook in the pub :(

Tom (Groke), Thursday, 7 August 2003 07:35 (twenty years ago) link

I saw them on Christian O'Connell's show a few months back and was so convinced they were a spoof that I checked the diary to make sure it wasn't April 1st.

Has everyone *really* forgotten how completely awful the mid '70's were?!? apparently they have!

The only thing I found even more incredible than the sound they made was the "personalities" of the people making it. Lest there be any misunderstanding, I do not mean "incredible" in a good way.

Not merely dud but hyper dud, mega dud, uber dud, the word "dud" does not even begin to cover it, they are beyond the confines of mere dudishness. Yes, I do n=know it's not a "Classic Or Dud" thread - if it was I'd have been far more outspoken.

Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 7 August 2003 07:36 (twenty years ago) link

Exactly Fritz - you can tell they must be great just from this thread!

Most of the album is good, bits just OK or a bit jokey but "Get Your Hands.." and "I Believe..." are magnificent pop.

Tom (Groke), Thursday, 7 August 2003 07:41 (twenty years ago) link

the darkness sur
rounds us

Prude (Prude), Thursday, 7 August 2003 07:44 (twenty years ago) link

In that case I want to sleep with the light on.

Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 7 August 2003 07:47 (twenty years ago) link

"get your hands offa my woman" was a good fun single. thats all i know. sounded more like a spoof though really, so i can hardly see them evolving into an important band. we dont need 2 spinal taps

Bob Shaw (Bob Shaw), Thursday, 7 August 2003 07:48 (twenty years ago) link

"We dont need 2 spinal taps"

In a nutshell Bob, thank you!

Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 7 August 2003 07:49 (twenty years ago) link

Have they released an album with the word "Sandwich" in the title yet?

Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 7 August 2003 07:51 (twenty years ago) link

hehe, i just remembered this:

Nigel Tufnel: It's like, "How much more black could this be?", and the answer is none. None more black.

Bob Shaw (Bob Shaw), Thursday, 7 August 2003 07:56 (twenty years ago) link

The Darkness=Terrorvision in spandex=nothing ironic about that. I'm still waiting for their "Oblivion" though.

CharlieNo4 (Charlie), Thursday, 7 August 2003 08:09 (twenty years ago) link

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0000A0C4U.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

"This tasteless cover is a good indication of the lack of musical invention within. The musical growth of this band cannot even be charted. They are treading water in a sea of retarded sexuality and bad poetry."

Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 7 August 2003 08:09 (twenty years ago) link

"The Darkness=Terrorvision in spandex"

I think you forgot to deduct songwriting ability from the right hand side that equation Charlie.

Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 7 August 2003 08:12 (twenty years ago) link

Ummm...you've lost me, Stewart. Are you saying Terrorvision don't know how to write songs? If so, pish posh. If not, then obv The Darkness can't...which isn't true either! Heeeelp!

CharlieNo4 (Charlie), Thursday, 7 August 2003 08:27 (twenty years ago) link

Terrorvision + spandex - songwriting ability - sense of humour = Darkness.

Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 7 August 2003 08:33 (twenty years ago) link

aha! bingo! yes, spot on. sorry, never was much cop at equations.

CharlieNo4 (Charlie), Thursday, 7 August 2003 08:38 (twenty years ago) link

Mr Osbourne, I know you may not like these Darkness chappies, but accusing them of lacking a sense of humour is a bit rich.

RickyT (RickyT), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:04 (twenty years ago) link

It's good music to be drunk to.

person#0 (person#0), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:08 (twenty years ago) link

But you see Ricky, I could forgive them everything (or at least write them off as just a tired old joke) if there was even the slightest hint that they had their tongues in their cheeks; but from what I've seen and read they're taking their whole ludicrous shtick preposterously seriously!

Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:09 (twenty years ago) link

Old trad punker doesn't like the 'Ness - BIG THUMBS UP!

Tom (Groke), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:09 (twenty years ago) link

In "Growing On Me" the singer sounds incredibly posh. They're like a more metal Busted. I've not yet decided whether this is the most horrible or the most life-affirming thing ever.

person#0 (person#0), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:16 (twenty years ago) link

http://www.csfanpage.co.uk/badnews/images/warriors1.jpg

"We are the Four Horsemen of the Rock Apocalypse!"

Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:25 (twenty years ago) link

But you see Ricky, I could forgive them everything (or at least write them off as just a tired old joke) if there was even the slightest hint that they had their tongues in their cheeks; but from what I've seen and read they're taking their whole ludicrous shtick preposterously seriously!

Yes, completely otm Stewart. Their first single, and that cover they did of Street Spirit, both made me giggle when I first heard them, but that was under the assumption that they were a novelty joke band I'd never have to hear again. Now I find that a) they take themselves seriously and b) other people take themselves seriously, and I'd far rather just not have the joke in the first place because it wasn't really that funny anyway.

The Lex (The Lex), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:30 (twenty years ago) link

Jokes are only funny if they're serious.

Tom (Groke), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:36 (twenty years ago) link

No, jokes are only funny if they're vaguely original.

Contrary to what The Lex says, I think this joke was funny in the first place (Spinal Tap); it was even a good enough joke to be funny in the second place (Bad News).

Of course you could argue that the fact that the band and most of the people who are buying their records don't seem to realise it's a joke is a novel twist - but actually that's the oldest and most tired joke of all.

Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:40 (twenty years ago) link

The difference is that Spinal Tap were comedians who thought their music is rubbish. The Darkness are musicians who think their music is great but also a bit ridiculous in places. It's the difference between something you'd want to watch again and again and something you'd want to listen to again and again.

Tom (Groke), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:43 (twenty years ago) link

Yes, "Old trad punker" in "seen-it-all-before" Bullshit-Detector shockah!

Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:43 (twenty years ago) link

I mean if you find novelty music played dead straight so awful why aren't you starting threads slating the White Stripes?

Tom (Groke), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:44 (twenty years ago) link

But Tom, if we accept that Spinal Tap's music is rubbish and the only reason to keep going back to them is to watch them because they're funny; what would induce anyone to want to keep listening to similar music without those accompanying visuals?

Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:46 (twenty years ago) link

I didn't start this thread Tom.

Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:48 (twenty years ago) link

Spinal Tap's music is OK - it was the attitude of the people making it I'm talking about. But the reason it was only OK was that they obviously didn't think it could be good (except on a comic level).

From first principles then - what is bad about the kind of music The Darkness play?

Tom (Groke), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:50 (twenty years ago) link

Based on what I'd read, I too expected the Darkness to be a comedy rock band like Gay Dad or the Manic Street Preachers. Turns out that their lp is probably my favourite of the year - it makes me think of a rock 'Lexicon of Love', it's knowing about the clichés of genre but nevertheless it's in love with the hysterical melodrama of it all.

If 'I believe in a thing called love' doesn't go to #1 when it's re-released in a couple of weeks I will sulk.

Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Thursday, 7 August 2003 09:58 (twenty years ago) link

First Tom, now JtN!

David. (Cozen), Thursday, 7 August 2003 10:01 (twenty years ago) link

I liked it alot!

dave q, Thursday, 7 August 2003 10:02 (twenty years ago) link

Tom, I don't think there's anything intrinsically dreadful about the kind of music per se within it's historical context; it's just that it's very old and very tired by now and if someone genuinely wants to revive it they really need to try to add something a little bit new to the mix rather than just exaggerating it like a caricature (unless they're deliberately exploiting those caricature qualities for comedic effect).

Do you seriously think The Darkness stand / would have stood up to comparison with the original bands whose style they're aping or; given a historically level playing field; would they (as I believe) have ended up at best as 4th Division no-hopers playing for beer money on the local pub circuit?

Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 7 August 2003 10:02 (twenty years ago) link

True, they are not the Scorpions yet. What they need is a) minor-key vocal harmonies b) a gtr god. Since Uli Roth and Michael Schenker are probably unavailable, maybe I should join them.

dave q, Thursday, 7 August 2003 10:06 (twenty years ago) link

Stewart I have no idea, because I didn't listen to the original bands. From what I do know then yes, I think they would have done alright, maybe there'd have been suspicion because they don't take the genre completely seriously (JtN's point is excellent I think), maybe they'd have been a bit too pop and crowd-pleasing. (I think the pop aspects (both 'hookiness' and 'attention to the total package') is a new thing they bring to their genre, btw.)

Tom (Groke), Thursday, 7 August 2003 10:06 (twenty years ago) link

"comedy rock band like Gay Dad or the Manic Street Preachers"

hee hee!

person#0 (person#0), Thursday, 7 August 2003 10:10 (twenty years ago) link

Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it.

Unfortunately they keep dragging the rest of us with them!

Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 7 August 2003 10:11 (twenty years ago) link

In my experience the 'original bands' for a sound are sometimes better, sometimes worse than the originals.

Those who know too much history are also doomed to repeat it at the rest of us.

Tom (Groke), Thursday, 7 August 2003 10:15 (twenty years ago) link

I'm interested in hearing the album. But, hard rock success-wise, I do believe they've squandered any momentum they had. It will take some doing post-holidays to get the ball rolling again. Relentless play of a video, maybe, would do it. It's a crowded market.

George the Animal Steele, Tuesday, 29 November 2005 20:43 (eighteen years ago) link

the production is sillier and I mean that as a compliment.

'Twan (miccio), Tuesday, 29 November 2005 20:44 (eighteen years ago) link

I love "Knockers."

Je4nn3 ƒur¥ can't imagine there's anything funny about that statement (Je4nne Fu, Wednesday, 30 November 2005 22:45 (eighteen years ago) link

This is really growing on me.

k/l (Ken L), Monday, 5 December 2005 20:23 (eighteen years ago) link

two years pass...

ilm hates fun

-- Fritz Wollner (Fritz), Wednesday, 6 August 2003 20:17 (4 years ago) Bookmark Link

This guy really was the worst ILX poster ever

The stickman from the hilarious "xkcd" comics, Sunday, 20 July 2008 11:10 (fifteen years ago) link

Dude this Fritz obsession of yours is really, really weird.

Matt DC, Sunday, 20 July 2008 11:30 (fifteen years ago) link

yay The Darkness. they had good b-sides.

billstevejim, Sunday, 20 July 2008 22:16 (fifteen years ago) link

"I know the right guys
'Cause I used to work in building supplies"

calstars, Sunday, 20 July 2008 22:22 (fifteen years ago) link

seven months pass...

lulz

Hard House SugBanton (blueski), Monday, 16 March 2009 23:38 (fifteen years ago) link

Turbonegro have the better humour and choruses in their (superior) songs.
This is dreadful, one of the worst things I've ever heard. Only a complete tasteless sad bastard could like this.

six months pass...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFYv6gSqimE

cutty, Sunday, 11 October 2009 01:25 (fourteen years ago) link

one year passes...

Uh oh
http://thequietus.com/articles/05866-darkness-reform-for-download

Neil S, Tuesday, 15 March 2011 16:13 (thirteen years ago) link

http://new.assets.thequietus.com/images/articles/5866/darkness_1300183131_crop_550x350.jpg

It's Laffin' Nick Cave and the not-bad seeds!

Mark G, Tuesday, 15 March 2011 16:20 (thirteen years ago) link

Least clamored for reunion ever?

'what are you, the Hymen Protection League of America?' (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Tuesday, 15 March 2011 16:29 (thirteen years ago) link

i'm pretty excited for it

I'd rather climb into the saddle of my Ford Mustang and sink spurs (stevie), Tuesday, 15 March 2011 22:55 (thirteen years ago) link

Good news.. although is this a reunion or ending a hiatus?

billstevejim, Tuesday, 15 March 2011 23:07 (thirteen years ago) link

or even 'closure', seeing as how Frankie is back

Mark G, Tuesday, 15 March 2011 23:12 (thirteen years ago) link

three months pass...
two years pass...

"Love on the Rocks" is their "Paradise City"

More Than a Century With the Polaris Emblem (calstars), Saturday, 13 July 2013 03:13 (ten years ago) link

I was at a wedding a few months ago and they played "Thing Called Love" and it went over surprisingly well.

JACK SQUAT about these Charlie Nobodies (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Saturday, 13 July 2013 04:04 (ten years ago) link

^good display name/posting subject interface

going to grind shows so they can quasi-ironically EDM (DJ Mencap), Saturday, 13 July 2013 08:21 (ten years ago) link

because they are going to go away next week.
― doom-e, Wednesday, August 6, 2003 6:30 PM (9 years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

even a stopped clock etc

Ward Fowler, Saturday, 13 July 2013 10:17 (ten years ago) link

xxp it's like Right Said Fred's 'I'm Too Sexy', in that there are very specific situations where it'll work and not sound like crap, but even then it's so specific that it won't work every time.

Meine Damen und Herren, ein grosse sh*tstorm! (snoball), Saturday, 13 July 2013 10:48 (ten years ago) link

one year passes...

Wow, I pulled out some of Permission to Land after years. I feel like it might sound even better now! Really good power pop. I was inspired after hearing someone nail "I Believe..." at karaoke last night and thinking about how tricky it actually is.

EveningStar (Sund4r), Wednesday, 12 November 2014 19:04 (nine years ago) link

Album four should be out in early 2015. They're also going to have a new drummer this time around.

DavidLeeRoth, Wednesday, 12 November 2014 19:23 (nine years ago) link

Did the previous one explode?

StanM, Wednesday, 12 November 2014 19:31 (nine years ago) link

Permission is awesome. Their subsequent output not so much.

calstars, Wednesday, 12 November 2014 19:34 (nine years ago) link

I really like the Hot Leg album. I was hoping for another one from them more than I was a Darkness reunion.

Mike Dixn, Thursday, 13 November 2014 00:25 (nine years ago) link

Love On The Rocks With No Ice is mammoth. They were so great in those early days, and such a treat to interview. They fucked it up so badly with the second album.

you fuck one chud... (stevie), Thursday, 13 November 2014 12:41 (nine years ago) link

I only remember '1984' from the Hot Leg record. Oh, and maybe 'Cocktail.'

calstars, Thursday, 13 November 2014 13:21 (nine years ago) link

Hot Cakes might be the best Darkness album unfortunately no one has ever heard it.

DavidLeeRoth, Thursday, 13 November 2014 13:57 (nine years ago) link

I kinda thought the 2nd album was pretty dope. Try "Is It Just Me," "Dinner Lady Arms," "Girlfriend," "English Country Garden" and the title track. Honestly I think the 1st album is equally spotty, but the highlights are kinda incredible.

billstevejim, Thursday, 13 November 2014 16:35 (nine years ago) link

So many great memories just thinking about that first Darkness record.

joni mitchell jarre (dog latin), Thursday, 13 November 2014 16:37 (nine years ago) link

They were very entertaining live around the time of that first album!

Welcome To (Turrican), Thursday, 13 November 2014 16:43 (nine years ago) link

One Way Ticket to Hell...And Back is a great album, but its nowhere near as immediate as the first Darkness album. It didn't help that the first single was garbage too.

DavidLeeRoth, Thursday, 13 November 2014 17:57 (nine years ago) link

Yeah, I listened to Hot Cakes and really liked it.

EveningStar (Sund4r), Sunday, 16 November 2014 21:01 (nine years ago) link

It didn't help that the first single was garbage too.

I wouldn't call it garbage, but it was a bad choice for a lead single.

billstevejim, Sunday, 16 November 2014 21:32 (nine years ago) link

four months pass...

i kind of love how their new single rips off 'sex type thing'

maura, Thursday, 2 April 2015 15:30 (nine years ago) link

at least in terms of riff

maura, Thursday, 2 April 2015 15:30 (nine years ago) link

eleven months pass...

OH THE STATE OF ELATION THAT THIS UNISON OF HEARTS HAS ACHIVEVED

calstars, Friday, 25 March 2016 17:21 (eight years ago) link

two months pass...
one year passes...

“Growing on Me” is still in my head 15 years later or whatever
The best song about crabs ever written

calstars, Friday, 1 December 2017 15:26 (six years ago) link

one year passes...

"Christmas Time" is one of the all-time great Christmas records, snow fucks given

I Accept the Word of Santa (Noodle Vague), Saturday, 15 December 2018 12:55 (five years ago) link

it works

gabbnebulous (darraghmac), Saturday, 15 December 2018 13:08 (five years ago) link

the lost b-side “out of my hands” is ace

calstars, Saturday, 15 December 2018 17:41 (five years ago) link

I think 'Christmas Time' is the best Darkness song full stop!

Le Baton Rose (Turrican), Saturday, 15 December 2018 22:34 (five years ago) link


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