Hot Leg may be the end for Justin Hawkins
I’m still not sure what caused The Darkness to disband, but if it was so Justin Hawkins could start his own vanity project, it may well backfire on him.
Let me start by saying that I had a lot of love for Hawkins as part of The Darkness, but I’m not sure he can transition to being a serious artist in his own right or as part of another band.
And that brings me neatly to Hot Leg…
It’s clearly a vehicle for Justin to peddle his music – the first thing you’re told on the official website:
Hot Leg is a brand new musical group featuring Justin ‘Dave’ Hawkins, former lead singer/lead guitarist/lead songwriter of The Darkness. Hot Leg are an entirely hairier beast, and they make really really brilliant rock music.
Have a listen to Hot Leg’s music on MySpace. It’s not bad as rock goes, but everytime Hawkins launches into a falsetto, I’m immediately transported back to I Believe In A Thing Called Love, and I’m not sure whether this new act is a serious band or a continuation of the clever spoof-rock that he introduced us to way back when.
Back in August, Simon Price of The Independent caught a Hot Leg gig and wrote rave reviews of it. He frothed:
To see a born entertainer and shameless crowd-pleaser like Justin Hawkins on a stage again is an absolute joy.
I’d truly love to see Justin come back fighting, but at the moment, he needs to work on his presence and perhaps re-establish his relevance in the world of rock.
And if he’s serious about carving a future with Hot Leg, he might want to invest a little more in his band’s website. It looks cheap as hell. But considering how he’s flip-flopped from project to project since disbanding The Darkness, maybe he’s not planning on hanging around.
Thoughts from the floor?
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What a load of crap! Have you actually been to one of their gigs? I suspect not. Justin Hawkins (& crew) are real entertainers. Get over it!
Hi Ratty – though I haven’t been to one of their gigs, I *did* in fact point to a stormingly positive review by Simon Price.
Have you actually read the article?
What I am trying to suggest is that Justin needs to show he’s serious about Hot Leg and to clear up the confusion as to whether this is an extension of the spoof-rock of The Darkness or a serious NEW project.
Because, if it’s long-term prospect for him, the branding is all wrong, they haven’t released an iconic song to the public, and for the moment, all it seems to be is a vehicle for Justin rather than a bona fide rock band.
To be honest though, a little research goes a long way –
Justin has said HOT LEG is ‘ an intensified version of the darkness’. Here he compares it in relation to his OLD band ( which obviously comparisons are inevitable, HIS style is similar to his old band)… you know what, it’s common sense to know that this is a serious new project – the penny should have dropped at news that a single is being released :O and the tours, etc.
And the comment about Iconic songs being released to the public; isn’t that all subjective? because, by your logic, every single ’serious’ band has released an iconic record as thier first single. And you say the branding is all wrong but, in all honesty, it would be daft to assume that this is the case because, as it currently stands, no-one except the band members has heard the entire record.
Silly, silly article
I love it when people come on here and slate me because they don’t agree with my opinion, because I didn’t write a sycophantic, love-fest for Justin.
On one hand you say comparisons are inevitable, but you berate me in the next breath for saying that they don’t have an iconic song to release – here a comparison for you: The Darkness released an inconic first song and arguably an iconic first album.
I get that you’re probably a fan of Justin. And it’s OK to disagree, but let’s be honest, your two-and-a-bit paragraphs of vitriol didn’t actually say anything positive about Hot Leg, did it?
Don’t get me wrong, I would love to come on here and write about Justin Hawkins’ triumphant return, but I just don’t think Hot Leg are likely to capture the hearts and minds of the country as The Darkness briefly did.
‘Get Your Hands Off Of My Woman’ was an iconic single? Really??
I agree to a certain extent that Justin is wasting his time going from project to project and not actually achieving much. But to slate the website for being cheap (when I suspect that’s the whole point) is pretty stupid when you’re writing an article about the quality of the music. And Hot Leg’s music is quality. If this stuff had’ve come around before The Darkness when it would be praised to the high heavens, and no it probably won’t capture the hearts of the nation like The Darkness did but for me that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable.
Also, to berate Hawkins for leaving as a ‘vanity project’ is nothing short of low. It is pretty much common knowledge that he became a cocaine addict and needed to sort himself out at rehab before he could continue the rock band lifestyle. To me the fact that he’s done that and come back is inspirational.
Hi James
I was thinking of I Believe In A Thing Called Love, actually, but there were other tracks on their first album that I loved just as much.
I like your second point, but what I’m actually saying is that I liked the music, just that the website is completely sub-par and sells the band short. I went on the website looking for information, but got a load of rubbish. Sorry, but I consider a band’s website an important part of getting their message across. And they failed with that.
Do you think I’m being dishonest here? It’s an opinion – if you look above, I’m pointing to positive reviews of Hot Leg’s music and gigs. And while I liked the music, I just can’t tell if this is a serious project, especially since, as you say “Justin is wasting his time going from project to project and not actually achieving much”.
(For the record, Gerard, I found the above article to be very even-handed, and a fair voicing of a legitimate rock-based concern.)
I only hope that Hot Leg can exist as a viable outlet for Justin and co., and not be deemed a failure if the project doesn’t exceed the lofty heights of the Brit-snagging, Ivor Novello-yoinking, Mercury-nominated and platinum-selling Darkness. Which they won’t. They simply can’t. But I’d love to see them become a long-term concern which I certainly intend to enjoy. I think the Darkness would have survived if they had knocked out another successful album a little sooner than “One Way Ticket…”. I mean, Oasis belted out two modern classics with their first two long-players, and THEN did the overblown cocaine album. But The Darkness toured their first album, and themselves into the ground, and didn’t capitalise on the momentum of their pretty impressive debut.
And, as it turns out, the material existed for them to have done so. At least three songs from Hot Leg’s forthcoming album were born from demos from the Permission To Land sessions, and would have settled snugly amongsth the other gems on that album. I personally enjoyed One Way Ticket immensely, but it was too much decadent wigging-out too late to recapture their fans, who may have felt they had missed act two of this three-act journey.
My basic point is, I hope Hot Leg, and Justin in particular find their audience. The man could definitely turn his hand to writing for other acts (and not neccessarily rock-based ones, as witnessed by the tunes he’s penned for a singer called Beverlei Brown)and I’d like to think he’s got another few timeless tunes in him. I like what I’ve heard from The Leg so far, and the very least I wish for is a fair crack of the rock whip for Hot Leg. I’m sure Justin Hawkins has learned a lot in the last five years, and I intend to give him the chance to capitalise on those lessons.
I need an editor.
Nick
Hi Gerry – please don’t read too much into the website, or lack of one. It looks cheap because it is – I (erstwhile Darkness webmaster) did it for love, not money, in a couple of hours. Until now the band and their management have focused their efforts on social networking sites – Myspace, Bebo et al – and the website hasn’t been a priority. FWIW I (obviously) agree with you on the importance of a band’s website and we’ll be unveiling one shortly. It’ll be built on WordPress, like yours.
Hi Robert – thanks for getting in touch. I hope I’ve conveyed enough of my love for The Darkness in this post to prove that I actually wish Justin well in this venture.
I’ll be as excited as everyone else to see the new website, which is presumably the precursor to a full-on launch of Hot Leg. Does that mean we can expect an album launch soon?
Just been to a Hot Leg gig (Cambridge) and it was really high quality stuff. They have great songs and can really play. I’m not sure whether the crowd really got into it though so its hard to say whether they will get any momentum beyond existing fans.
Its also massively unfair to call Justin or The Darkness ’spoof’ rock. Rock is supposed to be a bit silly, listen to early Queen or Deep Purple or Pink Floyd or even AC/DC. Music is allowed to make you laugh and smile without being an ironic parody of itself. Also Trojan Guitar is great and could be huge though I realise your article was written before its release.
What’s wrong with ’spoof rock’? I think it’s a fair lab4el, certainly in the case of The Darkness, who seemed to be fairly blatantly (but affectionately) taking the piss out of Queen and bands like that.
Hi Gerard – I’ve been writing songs with Justin since the pre fame days of the Darkness, and some of this material will appear on the new Hot Leg album. Never once did Justin say to me ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if…’ before we worked on a song. Sure, Justin is enjoying himself and enjoys the sillier, showboating side of rock, but Permission to Land had ‘Love is Only a Feeling’ and his new set includes ‘You Can’t Hurt Me Any More’ as well as a couple more killer love songs. Why must rock band sound like Radiohead or REM to be taken seriously? I agree with the other poster, when you have bands like Kiss, ACDC, Van Halen and Queen in the rock pantheon, Hot Leg are in good company. They may be having fun, but they are going about it seriously and professionally. Whether they will be listed among the greats, only time will tell.
I recently met Justin at a Guitar Weekend in Exeter. He was arrogant and full of his own importance. My daughter who is only 13 asked him a question and he was so rude back, I couldnt believe. He needs to get back to the real world and remember he is not the big rock star he was. He needs to remember that people like my daughter buy his music and concert tickets. I saw Hot Leg at the Cavern that night and they were not good and I saw people leaving before the gig finished. Wake up Justin and remember fans keep you in the lifestyle you have and get rid of the arrogance as you are not big enough a star to carry it off.
Hmmm that’s funny Simon. I was at that guitar show. I stood and watched for at least 25 mins while the band signed posters and talked to people. I had much admiration for the man who appeared to take time to greet and be friendly with all the fans. The only person I saw Justin be dismissive of was the person that asked him directly in front of his new band when he was going to rejoin the Darkness. That was a very rude and stupid question. Was that you or your daughter that asked that? I’m guessing it was. If you ask stupid questions you are going to not get the response you would like.
As for the cavern gig, I really enjoyed it. It was unfortunate that there were technical problems but I certainly did not see people leave til the end. It’s my guess that you are just trying to cause a stir as you feel you have been mistreated by a man who has a bigger future ahead of him than yourself.
This is my opinion for what it’s worth-I believe that you should have fun while you are working, or else you will not achieve anything, I have watched the Videos “The Not the Making of Trojan Guitar” and “I’ve Met Jesus” over and over as I enjoyed them so much (the music and the comedy!!) I shall certainly be buying the album when it surfaces, and yes I can see the musical similarities with the Darkness, but, hey, Justin had a huge input in that band and his voice is so individual it would take me losing my hearing, not to!! (and yes, I loved the Darkness as well)
Whatever happens, I shall be waiting with baited breath for the next installment, Rock on Justin and Well done for staying Clean!!
I have always been surprised by Justin Hawkins and whatever he’s come out with, but in the best way possible. I remember my dad had probably heard of them some time before me (let’s face it, it took The Darkness to really get me into music! I didn’t even own any CD’s until I discovered them). He always tells me he thought they were just a joke to begin with after hearing “Get Your Hands Off My Woman”, then not buying it. He also always said “Oh they’ll do a Guns N Roses and split up after the 2nd proper album!”. He wasn’t far wrong there. (LIES was only partly a studio album by Guns N Roses).
Anyway. I saw them at a free Middlesborough gig literally 2 days before “Growing On Me” was out. I saw them live 5 times. Then British Whale happened in the gap between the two albums. Now that was alright, but very unusual. Then the supposedly *solo* stuff that was demo’d on MySpace was really good in my opinion!
The only thing I have to say negative about Hot Leg is, NOTHING.
If Justin can stick with it, he should. And I’ll give him credit for that. If he can stay sober for as long as he has – I think Hot Leg can happen and be a success!!
Some bits and pieces I’ve also found out are the album’s due in early 2009, new March 2009 tour ON SALE NOW and the album’s supposedly going to be called “RED LIGHT FEVER”.
ROCK ON JUSTIN…I don’t why everyone booed Hot Leg at Glasgow, they weren’t even fans of the band and they haven’t even released as much as an album yet anyway…I think “Trojan Guitar” and “Heroes” are some of the best songs Justin Hawkins has ever done and Hot Leg deserves a rightful place in the public spotlight, where The Darkness were.
Here’s a thought from the floor. You’re a moron.
Get Your Hands off my Woman was a fabulous single. Permission to Land was a fabulous album. The Darkness weren’t a gimmick, or a retro act, or an exercise in irony – they were the real deal. Anyone who was there at the beginning to witness it will say the same. And the band spent a lot of time telling the world that, while they didn’t take themselves seriously, the took the music very seriously indeed.
But then they dissolved, utterly, into a soup of every cringeworthy cliche that they were accused of being – but originally were not. Their second album was such a disaster it beggars belief. The music was dire. Yet this was the band that actually could have become the next AC/DC. Or better.
Hot Leg is a continuation of that hopeless self-promoting mess. It’s dreadful, throwback music. Almost self-consciously inept. The song-writing is lazy and the musicianship of the band is basic in the extreme. The music has all the lack of substance that Hair Metal had. The worst of it being that these aren’t insults I’m writing – they’re not even criticisms. They’re simple facts. Its a genuine shame.
The sycophantic flaming that assaults any criticism of Justin Hawkins is enough to make someone ashamed that they were ever a Darkling. Yes, Justin made brilliant music. But that doesn’t make everything he does brilliant by default. Hot Leg are living proof. Because their music is drivel. Fact.
the new hot leg album ,red light fever has failed to make it into the top 100 uk album chart
I don’t know what chart you were looking at then, as it’s on the official album chart, on the UK official charts company website!
I can’t believe the negative comments i have read above!
i disagree- the second darkness album was NOT poorly written, but is was overly produced. I will try and get hold of the new Hot Leg, although i fear if the guitar work isnt as impressive as the darkness, i may not be a big fan. Still, all the best to justin with this new project! :)
Well I bought the album a month ago.
I like it, I loved Chickens, Trojan Guitar, Cocktails, Prima Donna and You can’t hurt me anymore, I think I met Jesus is great but not one of my favorites. The other songs are fine but won’t be recorded into my brain for too long.
I actually see and hear big differences between Hot Leg and The Darkness, the guitar sound is a bit different, it does lack substance (the riffs and song structures) it sometimes sounds to 1980’s and too hair metal, and I don’t enjoy that a lot. The songs sound too dry at times and just when you think you are “sliding through a song” an abrupt pause comes and the substance goes to the drain just like that. Still the riffs are great and his singing is impeccable as always. I hate the drummer, he is like a copy of Poison’s drummer, and the bassist is ok but not that good. Rinaldi is very very god, but I think I prefer Justin as the lead guitar, especially live, Rinaldi seems to be in love with tapping and seems to try too hard for a guy that talented…
But still, the album is very good and I do recommend it, I think Justin has just come back from a very tough time and I admire him for writing a quality album, I am sure after reading reviews, seeing people’s reactions and looking back on these times, he will be able to find the “it” that Hot Leg is missing at this moment.
I personally would take this 1000 times over Dan’s new band.
I recognize Justin has little time to go up again and reinvent his personality so he can call the attention of International audiences, and repeat or at least come close to achieve the success he enjoyed five years ago.
Wouldn’t be surprised if they reunite though…
haha, if only the split was a clever way of boosting interest once again, ‘reuniting’ a few months down the line. I guess it could happen, you could tell from interviews the reason for the break was they all got a bit sick of one another. Realising their own individual bands may not take off in the manner they expect could help them get back together after a very long break, only time will tell. Plenty of bands do the whole ‘break up’ thing to boost sales, ill bet its usually the idea of the record labels. Lol. Didnt realise Justin is not the main lead for guitar with Hot Leg, but then perhaps if he was, it would sound almost identical to the darkness own work