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The Darkness bassist says band have ‘complex dynamic’

The Darkness have “quite a complex dynamic” among its lineup.

The ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’ rockers – made up of brothers Justin and Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain and Rufus Taylor – are still going strong as they celebrate 20 years since the release of their iconic debut album ‘Permission To Land’, and bassist Frankie has insisted he has never “wanted” his role in the band to change.

He told Guitar World magazine: “I haven’t wanted it to change. We have quite a complex dynamic within the band, but it’s not what people think.

“The limelight is always on Dan and Justin, but I kind of savour it.

“We’re always learning from each other. Most of the time it’s hidden behind humour, but humans are complex, aren’t they?”

Frankie admitted he doesn’t “remember much” of the group’s early days besides “strange little moments and observations”.

However, he said: “There was an unraveling at one point, and it was at a time when we really should have been enjoying it the most.

“We were receiving awards and accolades, but it gets tedious, you know? That’s what most people who’ve been through the same experience conclude.

“It’s not really about the awards. It’s more about the process and the struggle that comes before all of that.”

The ‘Heart Explodes’ hitmakers – who won three Brit Awards and an Ivor Novello at the peak of their success – split in 2006 after the release of second album ‘One Way Ticket To Hell… And Back’ but later reformed in 2011.

Reflecting on the reward they get at this stage of their careers, Frankie added: “We get rewarded every night when we’re out on the road. The fans are right in our faces and screaming!

“The point I’m making is that we’re already extremely fortunate. We don’t really need award ceremonies and all that kind of stuff.”