The Darkness ready to light up rock again in Birmingham

The cat suits, the flamboyant stageshows, the impossibly high falsetto vocals . . . hold on to your hats folks, The Darkness are back to rock your world.

Having imploded in a world of recriminations and excess that saw OTT singer Justin Hawkins check into rehab in 2006 for alcohol and cocaine problems, The Darkness reformed earlier this year with their original line-up – Hawkins, his guitarist brother Dan, bassist Frankie Poullain and drummer Ed Graham.

After a couple of small warm up shows "to say hi again" as bassist Poullain puts it, the band were second on the bill at this year's Download Festival and are now set for their first UK tour in over five years, playing Birmingham's O2 Academy on Friday, November 18, 2011.

"We've got a new approach, a new look, new outfits and a new stage show," says Poullain. "We've got some new ideas that are really going to freshen things up.

"It's still The Darkness because we're going to have what we consider all the best stuff from the first and second albums and there's going to be some new songs.

"And not just that . . . but one member is going to be playing an instrument he's never played before live. But we've got to keep that under wraps."

So expect to once again hear huge hits like I Believe In A Thing Called Love, Growing On Me and One Way Ticket, plus, maybe, an early outing for their pitch for the 2003 festive No 1. Slot, Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End).

The Darkness are in the middle of recording album number three, due for release early next year but now the band wants to reconnect with their fanbase.

"We've got a lot of shows and we've got a big spectacle and we want to make sure that everyone who comes to the show realises what they've been missing," says Poullain.

"I don't think there's been another band that has stepped up and done this sort of thing. We're still the one."

With the band fracturing into two separate outfits - Stone Gods and Hot Leg - did Poullain ever really think in all honesty that The Darkness would eventually reform?

"No, I didn't think we ever would do and I don't think the other guys thought we would either. I guess pride comes into that. It seems like people close to us knew it would happen but you're just blinded by certain things. But maybe it's time."

And how about that performance at Download, where they played second only to Def Leppard?

"Oh it was great. It was amazing. We just couldn't believe it. All the fear evapourated as soon as we walked on stage.

"It was always at the back of our minds that maybe we had chosen our timing well because it was a good gap, six years or so. After the second album everything that had been sweet before had become sour but now it's back to being sweet.

"We were all really pumped up. We really wanted to rectify for all the things that went wrong before. It was such a long time away. All of us feel right in our approach, in our act, in our mood, in that thing that we do.

"I mean, you can't fake that joyous thing that we tapped in to. We went away for a long time and now we're really fresh."

He adds: "I guess it's just time. Time is a healer. I was very flattered and surprised when there was an indication that they wanted to meet. I suppose I thought the others might get back together but I didn't really think they'd give me a call.

"To be honest I wasn't ever sure that I would accept but then it was done in such an open and friendly way."

And the spirit in The Darkness camp now?

"It's great. We're just having a really great time. In the early days it was always the stress of trying to make it and you're dragged your separate ways because you cope with it in different ways. So now it's better than it's ever been"

And finally, a hairy question. For years Poullain has sported a very distinctive moustache and now, low and behold, frontman Justin Hawkins is sporting his own facial hair, Any influence or rivalry going on there?

"Oh no," he laughs. "His is a different style. Mine sort of touches on the 70s thing, like a Mexican revolutionary, but Justin's is more a kind of French, Napoleonic in some ways.

"There are a few things it hints at . . . those magnificent men in their flying machines . . . but no, I don't feel challenged!"

* The Darkness play Birmingham's O2 Academy on Friday, November 18, 2011. Tickets cost £28.50.

Ian Harvey