Hot Leg’s Hot Press

When the mail came through confirming the pass for HOTLEG I thought to myself, this I have got to see, the return of Justin ‘Dave’ Hawkins, we all witnessed the prolific rise of ‘The Darkness’ and also the public demise leaving Hawkins needing rehab, what was he going to do? Is he re-inventing himself? new direction? well tonight I find out.

I stood with Justin pre-show, he looks well, happy and excited, at 9 O’clock Hotleg take to the stage and at this point in the review I feel I need to apologise if I offend anyone, but I’ve got’a say it as I saw it, Hotleg, is the campest rock band on the planet, oh yes my friends, they most certainly are, they fall just shy of Elton and David’s wedding on the camp scale, but Hawkins stage persona is still impressive as he struts around the stage, Justin is a crowd pleaser who loves the attention. The music comes over very heavy (in a camp way) as the band go through their repertoire with Hawkins doing all the right moves, his devoted followers, donned with headbands to resemble their hero are watching his every move.

Actually mid-show something did happen, a lady fan of 70 odd !, had written to Justin to say she had quit listening to music after he left ‘The Darkness’, so Justin and the band invited the lady to the show, Rita joined the band on stage (slowly) given the mic and the band burst into ‘Thing called love’, a nice touch from Hawkins.

Tracks like ‘gay in the 80s’, ‘Do it in the Dark’ & ‘Prima Donna’ see Hawkins & Rinaldi (doing some outstanding lead solos) are flirting with each other, swapping guitars mid song and getting far to close for comfort, it’s a bit like the TV program ‘The Office’ you cringe and feel embarrassed, but you love it and even discuss it with your mates, Hotleg are the same, its outrageous campness, you cringe, but at the same time you love it, its hilarious camp rock music that only Hawkins gets away with, if you are a fan of the Darkness then you already know Hotleg, if you’re an old git like me, and you remember bands like the mighty “Sweet” and one of my favourites Marc Bolan, then go and get down with Hotleg.

Over all I’ve enjoyed my Hotleg experience, its good time rock n roll and no one is going to get disapointed. Right, I’m off to buy a headband, spandex pants and then settle down with my shiatsu on the settee and catch the re-runs of Will & Grace ….

Justin Hawkins – Lead Singing, Lead Guitar
Pete Rinaldi – Lead Guitar, Lead BVs
Samuel SJ Stokes – Lead Bass, Lead BVs
Darby Todd – Lead Drums, Lead Drums

more photos on the site

Sean Hamilton, sundaymirror.co.uk 10/08/2008

Justin Hawkins could never lie low for long despite quitting The Darkness and having a breakdown.

And in his first gig for two years, the master showman’s new outfit, Hot Leg, exceeded all expectations with 90 minutes of new material, daring covers of The Power Of Love by Jennifer Rush AND Huey Lewis, and even a version of the Darkness single I Believe In A Thing Called Love.

Justin (right) may have cut back on the pantomime flourishes and the catsuits, but not on the fun. And the new material is from the top drawer. The band’s calling card is We Are Hot Leg while there are plenty of great new singalongs.

By the end the crowd were baying for more. The second coming of Hawkins is even bigger and better.

sundaymirror

JUSTIN: He’s back