April 3, 2018

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Multi-platinum selling artists The Darkness will be making at stop at the Cleveland Agora on April 14th as a part of their Tour de Prance! North American Tour to support their latest album Pinewood Smile.  

We had a chance to talk with drummer Rufus Tiger Taylor to discuss the bands upcoming show as well as his career and playing his first show with his famous father; Roger Taylor from Queen.

Greg Drugan: We are excited for Tour de Prance! Are there going to be any changes from the European to the American leg of the tour?

 

Rufus Tyler:  Justin was battling with a health problem for the entire last tour which didn’t make his job very easy. He handled his health issues and all the shows like a champ, of course, and no one knew he was struggling apart from us. Since then he’s had it taken care of; a good recovery and now our spearhead is back to "hero form" and sharper than ever!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GD:  What can fans expect from this show?

 

RT:   Fans can expect a good old-fashioned live rock show. No clicks or backing tracks. Just a fun, energetic show, buckets of solos, loud setlist, even louder clothes and in my opinion the best frontman on the planet. You never know what he’s going to do next; every show's different.

 

GD:  What is the main difference between European and American audiences that you have seen?

 

RT:   It depends more on where you are but usually if you put on a good show they’ll give a good reaction. I guess there might be more snobby audiences in Europe than in the US. I can’t remember a bad gig in the States. Just like us they’re always up for a good time.

 

GD:  The Darkness has put out another great album in Pinewood Smile. What is your favorite song on the album, and why?

 

RT: I like all of the main album, but if I had to make a choice it would be "Buccaneers of Hispaniola" or "Japanese Prisoner of Love." “Buccaneers" because it’s fast, punchy and heavy as hell. “Japanese" because it’s like a short rock opera with a big head banging ending!

 

GD:  What is your favorite song to play live, and why?

 

RT:   Probably “Buccaneers" because it’s like an angry, caged beast. We’re still taming it!

 

GD:  Is there one particular item or thing that you have to take with you while you’re out on the road?

 

RT:   My iPad! It sounds silly but there’s a lot of flights and travelling on the road so I use Netflix.....a lot!

 

GD:  Besides your father, who are some of your musical influences?

 

RT:  Taylor Hawkins and Dave Grohl are like older brothers to me; they always showed interest and helped out. Mostly just listening to all my favourite drummers.

 

GD:  What is the first concert you ever saw?

 

RT:  Queen.

 

GD:  Do you play any other instruments besides the drums?

 

RT:   Besides the drums I play more piano than anything else.

 

GD:  When did you know that you were ready to get behind the kit and tour with Queen in 2011?

 

RT:   I had already played a lot of the Queen songs early and Brian hired me for a couple of tours when I was 17. I had no idea I’d ever play with them. It was Brian and my Dad who made the decision to have percussion and more BVs throughout the set. I could also step in on the kit when Dad wanted to sing something, which we did a lot.

 

GD:  How did you end up joining The Darkness? Was there an audition process?

 

RT:   I was in Sydney at the time Dan called. He mentioned a mutual friend, Pete, who told them about me when they were looking for a new drummer. They had a press gig in London in two days. They were playing six or so songs from the new album. I had to learn them on the long flight home, then meet the guys for the first time and do the gig a few hours later! I guess you could say that was my audition, thrown in the deep end...sink or swim! Still the best way.

 

GD:  What’s the best thing about being in The Darkness?

 

RT:   We knew very quickly we all had similar humour both on stage and off. When you tour together a lot, that’s a big deal. There’s also nothing fake about the band, we write our own songs, play what we love, play it live and have a lot of fun doing it. For me that’s what it’s all about.

GD:  Rufus, thank you so much for your time and we're excited to see you and the rest of the guys in The Darkness in a few weeks!

 

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Be sure to catch The Darkness at the Cleveland Agora, they're one of the most fun live acts around!  You can purchase tickets by clicking here.

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Interview By Greg Drugan   Photo Credit: Simon Emmett