Interview: former The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins

Because with the heady, Number 1 selling days of The Darkness behind him, Justin is now channelling his rock ‘n’ roll spirit into new band Hot Leg.

Rave reviews of the band’s first few shows have grabbed the band media attention, and Peterborough gets the chance to see a fully revitalised Justin when Hot Leg play The Park next Friday.

The Guide spoke to Justin ahead of the October tour:

He said: “Creatively and musically, Hot Leg is much more focused than The Darkness. That’s not to say there aren’t similarities, there is, but previously everyone has wanted different things from the experience. This is more serious.

“I’m proud to say these are the best songs I’ve ever written. The band I have with me are all guys I’ve for a while, and we are all reading off the same page.

“With The Darkness it happened so fast, so the main aim of selling records was on us quite quickly. This time it will be about making really good albums, which don’t have to be the biggest.”

Justin rose to tabloid fame in a matter of months after his band, The Darkness, outgunned all opposition during the summer of 2003.

Their debut album, Permission To Land, spent four weeks at Number 1, and went on to sell a staggering 1.4 million copies.

This worldwide fame meant Justin spent the next two years touring constantly, as well as having the nagging pressure to write a follow-up which would reach the heady heights of Permission To Land.

By autumn 2006, Justin was admitted to a rehabilitation clinic to deal with his alcohol and cocaine addictions. The Darkness was over.

Even last year, Justin had an unsuccessful attempt to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest, but now all his attentions are focused on Hot Leg.

Single Trojan Guitar is out now, and an album is expected in January, all released through his own Universal-distributed label, Barbeque Rock Records.

He added: “All the feedback I’ve had from the shows we did in the summer has been positive.

“I love the new gigs being in small venues. It is slightly more difficult to connect with the audience in large halls or arenas, so this tour is perfect for us to begin with.

“We keep it lively, embrace ’80s fashion, and if we get a good crowd response I may even throw in a Darkness song.”

Tickets for the Halloween night show are available from www.thepark4music.com, or by calling 01778 380048. They cost £10 in advance, or £12 on the night. Doors open at 7pm.