Hailing from the coastal town of Lowestoft, the most easterly town in the United Kingdom, Justin Hawkins and his lead guitarist and brother Dan found themselves in London, where they met bassist Frankie Poullain. Inspired by an interest in classic prog-rock, the trio decided to form a band, dubbed Empire.
Things didn't go quite as planned and the band soon split, with Poullain journeying to Venezuela in search of adventure. The Hawkins knew what they wanted in their next band: an increased focus on volume and showmanship. A Millennium Eve karaoke competition was the turning point. Justin's spectacular performance of "Bohemian Rhapsody" lit the light bulb over his brother's head. "I know," Dan exclaimed, "YOU be the frontman!" Poullain returned from South America, Ed Graham was enlisted to pound the skins, and The Darkness was born.
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