April 18,  2022

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The Darkness brought a raucous rock and roll show to Pittsburgh on Saturday night.  The sold-out crowd wanted an old school, kick ass rock concert and The Darkness delivered in spades.

 

The U.K. based band is currently out supporting their latest album, Motorheart and kicked off the show with "Welcome Tae Glasgae" from that record.

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Right away, the band were firing on all cylinders.  The energy level was palpable on "One Way Ticket" and "Growing On Me."  Afterwards, lead singer and guitarist Justin Hawkins took a breather to say, "Give me a D!" and the crowd responded. He then said "Give me an arkness!"  The crowd screamed it back.  Hawkins said "raise your glasses in the air" paused, then exclaimed, "we're the fucking Darkness."

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The party continued with songs like "Open Fire," "Solid Gold" and "Givin' Up."  On the latter song, Hawkins noticed a very young fan at the front of the stage.  He asked him  if he minded hearing a couple of swear words because he was going to hear quite a few of them.  The lad shook his head no, and the band proceeded to tear into the song.  

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At the end of the tune, Justin ripped a set list from the stage and gave it to the boy.  This would be a theme throughout the evening as each member gave the boy and his family guitar pics and even drum sticks.   

 

The Darkness is a band that truly takes care of their fans.

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Justin Hawkins made a costume change from his dress shirt and slacks to his more familiar open chested, spandex cat suit.  During "Black Shuck" he made his way up to the second level of the venue and sang the tune by leaning over the edge.

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He noted that the flatbread pizza must be good because some fans didn't notice a man wearing spandex was next to them.  

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"Friday Night" and "Love Is Only A Feeling" from their debut album, Permission To Land were played in succession.  

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Justin noticed that a man was texting during a song so he decided to take his phone.  He ended up facetiming the guys wife, and spoke with her for a few minutes.  He then put the man's phone in Rufus' bass drum.  He told him he could get it after the show.

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The main set closed with "Barbarian" and "Get Your Hands Off My Woman." 

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After a brief exit from the stage, bassist Frankie Poullian returned with a costume change of his own and proceeded to play an interesting bass solo that included a microphone.

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Not to be out done, Justin changed his outfit one more time.  This time it was a traditional white cat suit, which matched his white Les Paul.

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The band then went into their biggest hit, "I Believe In A Thing Called Love."  However, after the first verse, Justin noticed that many people were recording them.  He stopped the song and said, "Ok, everyone give me your phones!  Let's be in the moment."  He then proceed to collect about a dozen phones from willing audience members, and put them inside the bass drum.

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"Let's try this again!" Hawkins exclaimed. The band started the song over and everyone on the floor jumped up and down and was in the moment.

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Ahhh, just like it was back in the '80s.

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Newcomers, The Dead Deads opened the show with some great, hard rocking originals.  This trio of ladies from Nashville easily won the crowd over.  It was my first time hearing this band, and I will be checking them out again.  You should too!

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Review and photos by Greg Drugan

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