The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins says some rock bands “aren’t pulling their weight.”
The vocalist and guitarist made the comment while speaking about the themes behind their new album Easter Is Cancelled in the new issue of Classic Rock magazine.
Hawkins explained: “Some of it’s multiverse theory and some of it’s childhood memories told as allegorical love tales. Some of it’s matters of the heart. But it’s framed by our view that our compatriots in the sphere of rock aren’t pulling their weight.
“We all agree that the really challenging musical endeavours are happening in other genres. That’s disappointing to us, so we’ve spent nine months showing people how to fucking do it properly.”
Asked whether rising rockers Greta Van Fleet could perhaps be singled out for rejuvenating the rock scene recently, Hawkins says: “The timbre of Josh Kiszka’s voice is so similar to Robert Plant’s that you can’t help but be excited when you hear him sing.
“There’s lots of potential for them to be as amazing as Led Zeppelin, but they’re going to need some better songs.
The really challenging musical endeavours are happening in other genres. That’s disappointing to us."
Justin Hawkins
“When something like this comes along and everyone gets excited, it shows you how little we have to offer as a genre. That’s not to slag them off, because I think they have the potential to be amazing.
“They could be the next phase of what Led Zeppelin should have been doing. There’s nothing wrong with adopting classic rock choreography and clothes, but you have to kick on from there.”
The band’s thoughts on the current state of rock were laid out earlier this year when The Darkness debuted the first single from Easter Is Cancelled, Rock And Roll Deserves To Die.
Bassist Frankie Poullain said at the time: “A lot of bands have relinquished their duty. Rock'n'roll is so uniform now. Everybody dresses the same, looks the same, sounds the same. It’s pathetic. It deserves to die.”
The band will head out on tour in support of Easter Is Cancelled in the UK and Ireland from November, with further dates planned in Europe in early 2020.
The full interview with The Darkness can be found in the new issue of Classic Rock magazine which is on sale now.
Issue 268 features Queen as the cover stars and comes with a giant, double-sided Freddie Mercury poster, an extra magazine featuring the ultimate album-by-album guide to Queen's discography and a 148-page Queen eBook.
Artists including Alter Bridge, Bruce Springsteen, Massive Wagons, The Doors, The Sheepdogs, The Virginmarys and more also feature.
The Darkness 2019 tour dates
Nov 26: Belfast Limelight, UK
Nov 27: Dublin Academy, Ireland
Nov 29: Nottingham Rock City, UK
Dec 01: Birmingham O2 Academy, UK
Dec 02: Leicester O2 Academy, UK
Dec 03: Southend Cliffs Pavilion, UK
Dec 05: Norwich UEA, UK
Dec 06: Cambridge Corn Exchange, UK
Dec 07: Bath Pavilions, UK
Dec 09: Portsmouth Pyramids, UK
Dec 10: Brighton Dome, UK
Dec 11: Watford Colosseum, UK
Dec 13: Manchester Academy, UK
Dec 14: Newcastle O2 Academy, UK
Dec 15: Glasgow O2 Academy, UK
Dec 17: York Barbican, UK
Dec 18: Liverpool O2 Academy, UK
Dec 20: London Roundhouse, UK
The Darkness 2020 tour dates
Jan 25: Strasbourg Laiterie, France
Jan 26: Paris La Cigale, France
Jan 27: Bordeaux Krakatoa, France
Feb 03: Lyon Ninkasi KAO, France
Feb 04: Zurich XTRA, Switzerland
Feb 08: Munich Technikum, Germany
Feb 10: Vienna Simm City, Austria
Feb 11: Nuremburg Hirsch, Germany
Feb 12: Berlin Kesselhaus, Germany
Feb 14: Copenhagen Amager Bio, Denmark
Feb 15: Stockholm Nalen, Sweden
Feb 17: Oslo Rockefeller, Norway
Feb 18: Gothenburg Pustervik, Sweden
Feb 20: Hamburg Markthalle, Germany
Feb 21: Cologne Essigfabrik, Germany
Feb 22: Sint Niklas De Casino, Belgium
Feb 24: Amsterdam Melkweg Max, Amsterdam
Feb 25: Frankfurt Batschkapp, Germany
