When The Darkness released their debut album Permission To Land in 2003, the biggest hits were coming from singer-songwriters like Norah Jones and rappers like 50 Cent.

The Darkness though were a throwback to the hard rock riffing of the '70s and the over the top theatrics of the '80s glam metal scene, topped off with a uniquely British sense of humour that led many to question whether they were just a joke band.

Clearly they aren’t, and two decades on The Darkness are still going strong with the release of their seventh studio album, Motorheart. 

Guitarist Dan Hawkins talks about the band's rise, fall, and rise in this interview, as well as his upbringing in the UK, the group's early days, their ongoing success, the making of Motorheart and more.