Home › Interviews › THE DARKNESS to put their fans first on their upcoming tour celebrating their most successful record, ‘Permission To Land,’ on October 4th.

THE DARKNESS to put their fans first on their upcoming tour celebrating their most successful record, ‘Permission To Land,’ on October 4th.

By capitalchaostv on September 25, 2023 • ( 0 )

Although most Sacramentans will be spending the bulk of their hard-earned dollars on the annual Aftershock Festival in Discovery Park or the newly-announced Power Trip festival in Indio with pretty much the biggest headliners around, you would be ill-advised to forego the highly affordable, one-off show at Ace Of Spades with The Darkness.

The quartet, featuring bandleader/singer/guitarist Justin Hawkins, guitarist Dan Hawkins, bassist Frankie Poullain, and drummer Rufus Taylor (son of Queen’s Roger Taylor), will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their outrageously successful ‘Permission To Land.’ Not-so-coincidentally, Warner Bros. will be releasing a special 20th anniversary collection on multiple formats dubbed ‘Permission To Land…Again.’ The new collection comes out just two days after their Sacramento gig.

Longtime fans of The Darkness will be pleased to know that ‘Permission To Land…Again’ will include not only the usual rare B-sides, but unreleased demos, live recordings of several, different shows, and more.

Their abbreviated U.S. tour starts in San Francisco on October 3rd and ends on October 22nd in Washington, D.C..

We caught up with bassist Frankie Poullain to get the skinny on The Darkness and the upcoming, live parties they’re bound to have along the way.

Capital Chaos TV: ‘Permission To Land’ came screaming out of the gates upon its 2003 release and managed to hit #36 on the Top 200 Billboard. What was it like touring the States in that period?

Frankie Poullain: It was one unreal giddy high after the next. In particular, the week of my birthday – 15th April 2004 – when we stayed at The Mondrian for a week, taking in two sold-out Henry Fonda Theatre shows, Jimmy Kimmel and Jay Leno. Some things I can’t really talk about such as two nights with an ‘erotica’ actress (gotta try everything once, right?). But the thing that sticks out is introducing Tilda Swinton to Jim Jarmusch backstage at the Fonda, from which meeting they went on to work together on two very cool movies. What struck me was how delicate and introverted they both were. I am too, by nature, but I suppose with all the hullabaloo I had momentarily transcended my nature (or turned into a bit of a cock). Hard to say really. But they were peas in a pod, immense talent encompassing delicate sensitivities, in the midst of a backstage rock‘n’roll bloodbath.

Capital Chaos TV: Every band has a favorite city in the US and a favorite country overseas. What are yours?

Frankie Poullain: Minneapolis and Italy, every time.

Capital Chaos TV: Besides the Stone Gods project that started when Justin took an elongated break, what did you do during that five-year hiatus?

Frankie Poullain: I explored South America with my now- ex-wife. We are now very good friends and she sings in an up-and-coming band Pushy Pushy Pushy. My tennis improved immeasurably, though my liver worsened dramatically. All those G&T’s (Gin & Tonics) in the clubhouse.

Capital Chaos TV: ‘Motorheart’ was released in 2021 and was the band’s seventh album. How much of that record and The Darkness’ other albums will be played on your upcoming ‘Permission To Land 20’ tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of ‘Permission To Land’?

Frankie Poullain: We’re playing all 2001-2004 material. In fact, one song dates back to 1998 when I first met Jus(tin) and we jammed a silly thing out which came the B side of our Christmas hit. There will be additional instruments such as vibraphones and instrument swapping too. Some songs will be played for the first time. Others like “Holding My Own” for the first time in 10 years. It will be a party fiesta of joy and celebration. Calibration too, perhaps.

Capital Chaos TV: What are the advantages of being the bassist in The Darkness? Disadvantages?

Frankie Poullain: Oh, that’s a toughie. Advantages would be being encouraged to fuck up and make mistakes by a singer who thrives on chaos and doing anything you’re not ‘supposed’ to do within the realm of rock music. Sharing the stage and studio with ridiculously talented musicians and beautiful people. Being ensconced in a bubble of love and laughter in our various homes: the tour bus, the dressing room and the stage. What more do you need?

Disadvantages would be the occasional bouts of passive aggression that usually arise from me being a berk.

Advance tickets are $39.50 and top out at $54.50 and can be purchased at aceofspades.com. Doors open at 5:30pm and the show starts at 6:30pm. All ages are welcome. Ace Of Spades is located at 1417 R Street in downtown Sacramento.