based , obedient , and ridiculously myopic and petty . Perfect for a band like us .
IE : I suppose someone could have said that hard rock was outdated for mainstream chart acceptance at the time , but it seemed to me that the Darkness embraced the actual reasons that rock music was invented . Were you
ever discouraged that you wouldn ’ t get a shot , or was it just a matter of time ? Was your collective faith in your songs and your live show ironclad ? FP : That ’ s a good question . We did , in all seriousness , face many moments of discouragement , but the fact is we didn ’ t have a choice ; we just had to do it . The brothers are made of stern stuff and possessed of remarkable talent , and we were very stubborn , in a good way . Perhaps we ’ re really just a band of donkeys .
IE : I don ’ t suppose The Darkness will ever be considered a “ message ” band a la U2 , but I think the band does send a message in a meta sense . I get this from The Darkness : Be serious enough to become excellent in the things that you do , but at the same time , don ’ t take life or yourself so seriously . Be willing to have fun . Does that ring true ?
FP : That ’ s a great observation and very well put . It ’ s so well put that I can ’ t have any fun with it .
IE : What are the qualities that elevate one song idea over another when you ’ re developing an album ? Killer riff ? The perfect melody ? A lyric that makes you laugh ?
Actual depth beneath the surface ? FP : It ’ s never as simple or as literal as that . I suppose boiled down to its essence ; it ’ s the process of transporting an emotion or way of feeling from one place to another , utilizing annoying and troublesome technology .
IE : Justin also mentioned music as a principal British export , historically second only to steel . I don ’ t see our governments prioritizing arts and culture . Do you think they ever will ? FP : Keep them away from music , please . Art should never be apologetic , and politicians always are .
– Jeff Ebel
newreleases November 3
Actress LXXXVIII Bar Italia The Twits Black Grape Orange Head Hilary Woods Acts Of Light Jimmy Buffett Equal Strain On All Parts Kevin Abstract Blanket Kevin Drew Aging Laura Veirsn Phone Orphans Marnie Stern The Comeback Kid Matmos Return To Archive Peace Utopia Semisonic Little Bit Of Sun The Struts Pretty Vicious
November 10
Beirut Hadsel Cat Power Cat Power Sings Dylan : The 1966 ... Chris Stapleton Higher Cold War Kids Cold War Kids Johnny Flynn & Robert MacFarlane Moon Also Rises Pinkpantheressn Heaven Knows Scream DC Specia
November 17
Dolly Parton Rockstar Emeli Sandé HowWereWeToKnow Nicki Minaj Pink Friday 2 Plain White T ' s Plain White T ' s Smoke Fairies Carried In Sound Steve Aoki HiROQUEST : Double Helix The Polyphonic Spree Salvage Enterprise
The Struts
Plain White T ’ s
Providing Quality Guitars for 233 Years Combined .
Authorized Martin Online Dealer
TobiasMusic . com
CF Martin 189 Years + Tobias Music 44 Years
Tobias Music 630-960-2455 5013 Fairview Ave • Downers Grove IL 60515 www . TobiasMusic . com
40
10 illinoisentertainer . com november 2023