UK stadium rock revivalists the Darkness formed in Norfolk, England, on New Year's Eve 1999 when Justin "Danger" Hawkins (b. 17 March 1975, Chertsey, Surrey, England; vocals/guitar) performed a karaoke cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" in front of his brother Dan Hawkins (b. Daniel Francis Hawkins, 12 December 1976, Chertsey, Surrey, England; guitar). Suitably inspired, the brothers decided to form a band which would embrace their love of the much maligned 80s "hair rock" scene. The Hawkins, who grew up in Lowestoft, Suffolk, were joined by old school friend Ed "Badger" Graham (b. Edwin James Graham, 20 February 1976, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England; drums) and Frankie Poullain (b. Francis Gillis Patterson, 15 April 1967, Milnathort, Scotland; bass), and allegedly played their first gig at a friend's funeral. Fighting against musical fashion the quartet struggled around the live circuit in their native East Anglia, with their brand of theatrical rock attracting little or no attention and often derision.
By 2002, the mainstream success of several US garage rock acts had revived interest in loud, raucous rock music, and the Darkness began to attract a larger following drawn to their preposterously over-the-top live shows. Viewed in equal measures as rock saviours or idiot caricaturists, the quartet began to generate column inches in style bibles such as Dazed & Confused and were recruited to support the Libertines at radio station XFM's Christmas party. Their debut EP, I Believe In A Thing Called Love, had been released a few months earlier in August 2002. The EP featured three live favourites in the title track, "Love On The Rocks With No Ice", and "Love Is Only A Feeling'. The Darkness" second single, "Get Your Hands Off My Woman", broke into the UK Top 50 in February 2003. The continuing success of their singles (a re-released "I Believe In A Thing Called Love' reached number 2) and several well-received festival appearances (notably at Robbie Williams' Knebworth concert) helped propel the Darkness" debut album, Permission To Land, to the top of the UK charts at the end of August. Their festive single, "Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)", was narrowly beaten to the coveted Christmas number 1 slot by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules' cover version of Tears For Fears' "Mad World". In February 2004, the band was voted Best Group and Best Rock Group at the annual Brit Awards show, in addition to Permission To Land winning Best Album.
In 2005 Justin Hawkins launched his solo project, British Whale, with a cover version of Sparks' 1974 hit "This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us". The track reached number 6 in the UK charts. During the same year the Darkness, with new bass player Richie Edwards (b. 25 September 1974, Lichfield, Staffordshire, England), collaborated with Queen producer Roy Thomas Baker on their second album. The first single to be released from the sessions was the title track "One Way Ticket". The album was a major disappointment and rumours circulated about the health of Justin Hawkins in 2006. It was confirmed in August that year that he had voluntarily checked himself into the Priory, a leading rehabilitation clinic in the UK. A short time afterwards it was confirmed that Hawkins had decided to leave the band and concentrate on his recovery. The remaining members, with Edwards having taken over as lead singer, began work on their third album in spring 2007.
