The Darkness – Easter Is Cancelled

By starrymag | September 18, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) The small of a woman’s back. All music springs from there or thereabouts.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Rock and Roll Deserves to Die” from the forthcoming album Easter Is Cancelled due out October 4th.

 

A) We all took turns pushing the song forward. We had so many disparate parts and eventually trimmed it down from seven or eight minutes to just under six. It has a baroque feel to it which Dan [Hawkins] brilliantly evoked using mandolins, ornate candelabras and acoustic guitars. Justin [Hawkins] lovingly sprinkled his Mellotron here and there. I added a theatrical backing vocal and then Ru [Taylor] came steaming in with a cacophonous drum outro, which Justin “ruined” with his hilarious creaking guitar coda.

 

Q) Where did the concept for the song come from?

 

A) Our collective hearts and loins.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) The beat, it’s just so damn catchy. The doomed pastoral evocation walking blindly into death by guitars.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) It doesn’t.

 

Q) What is The Darkness’ song writing process? Does music come before lyrics or vice versa?

 

A) The only rule is that there are no rules.

 

Q) How was it having the band’s own Dan Hawkins produce the album? 

 

A) Third time lucky. We got it right on both sides. In the past we perhaps haven’t quite lived up to Dan’s vision and ambition.

 

Q) The album is the band’s first ever concept album. What are some themes we’ll see explored on Easter is Cancelled?

 

A) Man’s relationship with wood: Musical instruments, the crucifixion, the erect male member.

 

Q) Talk about where the title gets its name.

 

A) It was an accident, but a very happy one (I hope).

 

Q) What songs off the album are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) All of them, perhaps “Deckchair” especially, though that will be scary for me as I have to play classical guitar.

 

Q) What message do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new album as a whole?

 

A) You should have gone to Specsavers. And that greatness resides under one’s metaphorical noses.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you? 

 

A) Anywhere open hearts are to be found. Twitching noses, alert ears, tight asses and souls awash with love, hope and charity.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) My Colonic Hydrotherapist on “All Things Must Pass.”

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) I’m listening to Motown because there would be no “dig” without it.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the fan feedback you receive to your music?

 

A) It depends. Opinions are like arseholes, we all got one. Just spare a thought for those that have two.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) What word expresses a simple but profuse blush?

 

 

All Questions Answered By Bassist Frankie Poullain