Justin Hawkins
***
Proud Galleries
Former Darkness singer Justin Hawkins returned last night for his first ever gig with new band Hot Leg.
Rather than struggle with a change of direction, this new combo picks up where The Darkness left off.
Falsetto, hard-riffing and posing are still to the fore, though thankfully without the skintight jumpsuits this time.
It was hard to tell how ironic The Darkness were being in their prime, but clearly rock cliches just come naturally to Hawkins.
He seems unable to get through a song without punching the air or waggling his tongue like Gene Simmons.
While the new material, like free download Heroes, hurtled by without any real standout moments, it was the inspired back to back covers of The Power of Love (first Jennifer Rush, then Huey Lewis and the News) that proved the evening’s highlight.
They won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if The Darkness rocked your world, you’ll be glad for this second coming. Everyone else will probably give Hot Leg the cold shoulder.
-Oliver Keens
![Hot%20Leg%20Single%20a7[1]-2](https://live.staticflickr.com/3213/3078192668_0d8a399b63_s.jpg "Hot%20Leg%20Single%20a7[1]-2")
![Hot%20Leg%20Single%20a7[1]-1](https://live.staticflickr.com/3270/3077361749_743052b4bc_s.jpg "Hot%20Leg%20Single%20a7[1]-1")
Some people just don’t get it, do they? Christmas card list edited.