Player Spotlight: The Darkness

It feels like The Darkness has been part of the British music scene forever, yet at the same time it feels like only yesterday that our ears were first treated to the Hawkins brothers’ liquid lead lines and righteous riffs.

The band draws heavily from the heyday of Glam Rock and Classic Rock

In fact, it was just over twenty years ago that the group’s debut Permission To Land crashed into the public consciousness with its certified classics, I Believe in a Thing Called Love and Growing On Me.

The band’s style

The band draws heavily from the heyday of Glam Rock and Classic Rock with catchy guitar hooks, extended solos, and tongue-in-cheek lyrics. The Hawkins brothers are both virtuoso guitarists and manage to craft guitar solos which are technically sophisticated whilst also memorable.

The Darkness tone

The band’s sound is also reflective of their classic rock roots. Both Justin and Dan wield Gibson Les Pauls running through big valve amp stacks – Justin using Laney amps and Dan using Marshalls.

Bassist Frankie is almost exclusively seen playing a Gibson Thunderbird bass – one of Rock’s most iconic instruments!

What strings do The Darkness use?

Justin and Dan Hawkins along with bassist Frankie Poullain have been die-hard Rotosound Players since day one and have relied on Roto Yellows, Roto Whites, and Roto Bass RB45 strings for countless tours and recording sessions.