The band’s 2003 album went quadruple platinum fueled by hits like “I Believe In a Thing Called Love” and “Love is Only A Feeling.” The sound is raw, full chords, screaming solos, retro rhythms, and fair amount of falsetto, which surely makes Mick Ronson smile in guitar heaven.

Opening is Philadelphia’s Free Energy will bring their power pop rock (but not for free).

— David Malachowski

8 p.m. Saturday, Upstate Concert Hall, 1208 Rt. 146, Clifton Park, $22, 371-0012 http://upstateconcerthall.com/.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/entertainment/article/The-Darkness-at-Upstate-Concert-Hall-4518717.php#ixzz2Te1HOXk7

Known primarily for the 2003 hit “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” the English band got the crowd moving with more obscure songs including “Hazel Eyes” off the 2005 album One Way Ticket To Hell…And Back and “Get Your Hands Off My Woman” from the 2003 album Permission to Land.

Lead singer Justin Hawkins hinted at the group’s troubled past, alluding to his use of cocaine – which ultimately led him to leave the group in 2006, effectively ending the band. The group reunited in 2011 and released a new album, Hotcakes, in 2012.

But overall the focus was on the present. Hawkins gleefully interacted with the crowd, at one point even climbing from the stage to the second level to hang out with fans. He also led the audience in several intensive singing “listen and repeat” sessions, making several wish they had done a vocal warm-up prior.

But overall, grins abounded as people filed out of the club – several continuing to bounce around as if the beat was still going on in their head.

Original Article: http://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2013/05/the_darkness_rocks_out_the_cha.html

The Darkness is the four-man band from Britain known as much for hits “I Believe In a Thing Called Love” and “Growing On Me” as for over-the-top rocking fun with a formidable guitar-driven blitz, stellar songs, epic performances and lyrical innuendo. They’ve mastered that “nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more” saucy attitude.

Re-forming with the original lineup of Justin Hawkins, guitar/lead vocals; Dan Hawkins, guitar; Frankie Poullain, bass and Ed Graham, drums, they deliver melodic classic music rich enough to restore faith in the power of rock and roll.

For some the rebirth of The Darkness was an absurd premise. Others never gave up hoping that the magic would regenerate this band who originally took the world by storm in 2003-2004. Their debut album, “Permission to Land,” touched off a hard rock renaissance that caught even the most jaded off guard to sell over 3 million copies worldwide.

The naysayers hardly minced words, pooh-poohing long hair, stage clothes, falsetto choruses, and tomfoolery in general, while completely missing the point of vituoso skills and rock-star showmanship. Flashy yes, but with the requisite finesse and talent required to rock the room, fill theaters and sell records.

But such a fast bright burn was doomed. The crash featured expected foibles including a second less successful album, “One Way Ticket to Hell and Back” (2005), that went “merely” platinum, substance abuse, talk of rehab, lineup changes, the two Hawkins brothers at war, and so on.

After a few years of trial and error exploits apart, the original magnetism brought them back together for their second coming. The new album, “Hot Cakes,” is filled with signature Darkness sound that’s a little AC/DC, a bit of Queen, some Slade, The Sweet, plus their own cheeky brilliance.

Intrepid and daring, they remind us it’s OK to revel in rollicking rock and that a sense of humor is a real treat. Expect the show to be an irreverent wild romp with all the favorites, a sing-along or two, new tunes orchestrated by an exuberant front man strutting his stuff, as glad to be on stage as the audience is to see him, his “brother and his two best mates” there.

, See The Darkness on Saturday with guest opener Fusebox Poet at Amos’ Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St., Charlotte. Call the club at 704-377-6874 or go to amossouthend.com for more show information. Visit theactualdarkness.com for more on the music.

More frolic ensues in a different but equally entertaining configuration with a very special Benefit for the Humane Society, Friday at The Chop Shop-Noda in Charlotte. Bring a dog toy or donation for the animals as cover charge and be rewarded with a multiple band plan featuring alt rockers Tattermask plus Darlings of The Underground, Right to Fall and Avenue Drive. It’ll be “Cats and Dogs and Rock, Oh My!” Friday for the Humane Society Benefit at The Chop Shop-NoDa, 399 E. 35th St., Charlotte. Call 704-765-2467 or check chopshopnoda.com for more info and show details.

Upcoming

•  Friday: Lee Johnson with LSD at Amici Lovin Oven, Rock Hill; Peredy, Pool of Thorns, The Days Remain, Reticent, Luna’s Lament at Firewater 110, Rock Hill; Hoodwinked at Empire Pizza 2, Rock Hill; Motel Glory CD Release with Amigo, J Ray, Totally Slow at The Courtroom at Getty’s, Rock Hill; Bamboo Sharks at McHale’s on Main, Rock Hill; The Oneppo Brothers Band at the Coal Yard, York; Paul and Henry — Rockstar Duo at McHale’s Pub, Fort Mill; Tantrum at Southsider’s Public House, Waxhaw; Mother’s Finest, Colby Dobbs Band, Dave Koons and The Koyotes at Amos’ Southend, Charlotte; Michael Tracy, Cater Beckworth and Texas Trio at Smokey Joe’s Café, Charlotte; Carolina Gator Gumbo, Zydeco YaYa at Double Door Inn, Charlotte; RAQ at The Visulite Theatre, Charlotte; Tonic at NC Music Factory Plaza, Charlotte; Reckless Kelly, Charlyhorse at Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte; Elenowen; The Howlin’ Brothers at Evening Muse, Charlotte; Kip Moore at Coyote Joe’s, Charlotte; Hair Nation at Luster Nightlife, Mooresville; and George Hatcher Band, Nantucket at The Don Gibson Theater, Shelby.

•  Saturday: David Griffin at Amici Lovin Oven, Rock Hill; Tone Deaf Acoustic at Rock Hill Tavern, Rock Hill; Absolute Conviction, My Dearest My Destroyer, Everthrone, First Class Villain at Firewater 110, Rock Hill; Two Can Sam at The End Zone, Rock Hill; Chase Killough at McHale’s on Main, Rock Hill; Smokin’ at Community Performance Center, Rock Hill; Third Stage featuring Tommy DeCarlo (Boston) at Beef O’ Brady’s, Fort Mill; The Oneppo Brothers Band at John’s Place, Fort Mill; LipStick on a Pig at Buddy’s Point, Monroe; Black Francis, Reid Paley at Visulite Theatre, Charlotte; Orgone at Double Door Inn, Charlotte; Dr. Cirkustein, Smelly Fell, Aloha Broha at the Common Market-Plaza Midwood, Charlotte; Trial By Fire — Journey Tribute at Stumptown Park, Matthews; and Folk Soul Revival, Poor Old Shine at Evening Muse, Charlotte;

•  Sunday: Greg Brangle and Blues Tenders at Smokey Joe’s Café, Charlotte; and Matthew Perryman Jones at Evening Muse, Charlotte.

•  Monday: Junque Gallery at The Saloon-NC Music Factory, Charlotte.

•  Tuesday: PJ Brunson (6:30-8 p.m.) at Fewell Park, Rock Hill; and Bill Hanna Jazz Jam at Double Door Inn, Charlotte.

•  Wednesday: Twenty One Pilots, Five Knives, New Politics at Amos’ Southend, Charlotte; Ryan Saranich at Double Door Inn, Charlotte; The Hot Gates at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; and Jeff the Brotherhood, Off The Record with The Sammies, Pilot/Copilot at The Chop Shop-NoDa, Charlotte.

•  Thursday: Geoff Rickly, John Nolan at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; Old Crow Medicine Show at Oven’s Auditorium, Charlotte; and The Trishas at Evening Muse, Charlotte.

“And that was all she wrote.”

Original Article: http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/05/10/4850922/the-darkness-offers-fun-rock.html