The Darkness

Bucket

Don't tell LesbianWithAGun... I've just videoed the solo from "English Country Garden".

It's an amazing solo, one of the best in their canon... it is also a spectacular pain in the arse to get right. This took me so many takes, and it's still sloppy. That really fast open-string lick at the end is damn near impossible. Anyone doubting Justin Hawkins's lead guitar credentials needs to try and learn this, and see how they feel afterwards.

fastonebaz

You've got fingers like spider legs!

darcym

fastonebaz said:

You've got fingers like spider legs!

I always find it odd to watch Bucket play on his videos, as visually it looks like he only uses two long fingers and they look very "stiff" - but they can't be as he's moving freely and easy between the frets, it's just a visual thing I think.

I'm curious @Bucket what guitar is that ?

meltedbuzzbox

Why don't you ever use your little finger?

Bucket

@meltedbuzzbox Come on, I used it for two notes in that solo! I have such weird spidery fingers that I often find using the little finger can make me feel more cramped, for want of a better phrase, especially high up the neck - I tend to use it a lot more in my rhythm playing, but I don't video so much of that.

@darcym It's a Gibson Flying V, a Faded model from 2009 but modified with a pair of @TheGuitarWeasel 's excellent Winterizer Firebird-style pickups. I don't use it as much as I should but I love it.

Voxman

Great band...I still love the solos in IBIATCL. 

joeyowen

Holding My Own has great solos,

To be fair, lots of their songs have a great solo

Phil_aka_Pip

would love to hear it but can't make it play

Boromedic

Great stuff @Bucket sounded mint, wish I could play that fast!! I learnt Dans solo from IBIATCL and that took a while. Still struggling with Justins outro solo on that.

Anyone doubting Justins chops or indeed Dans rhythm playing is clearly deaf, or just being deliberately provocative (or stupid). It might not be your thing, but you can't call their abilities. PTL is a superb rock album, the others are great too but more patchy. The solo in One Way Ticket winds me up cos the song and riff is amazing.

PVO_Dave

Liked it on Instagram earlier, great playing. 

Love Justins guitar work, the latest album is fantastic too 

axisus

Great take, as always. Yeah, Justin is surprisingly good at what he does. 

mort

Great Premier Guitar interview with Justin and Dan from last month;

“When I put on a Les Paul Custom, it feels like I am slipping into a warm bath full of my own saliva,”

https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/26822-the-darkness-justin-and-dan-hawkins-swan-on

JerkMoans

Great playing @Bucket ;

LOVED the Darkness. Must have seen them about 20 times, back in the day.

Now watching Dan’s gear on FleaBay and wondering whether it’s be a lame fanman thing to put a bid in or actually quite cool.

Gonna sit down and play IBIATCL while I ponder it  

hotpickups

I've just listened to 'English Country Garden'. Does remind of Queen somewhat

DrBob

The Premier Guitar Rig Rundown they did was amazing. Frankie & Justin in particular were hilarious 

Strat_a_tat_tat

Thanks @Bucket. ; Enjoyed that.

Strat_a_tat_tat

hotpickups said:

I've just listened to 'English Country Garden'. Does remind of Queen somewhat

Yes... exactly what occurred to me listening to Bucket playing the lead. Seemed a bit Queen-ish (the lead... not @Bucket !!!)

Philly_Q

I hate that song, but well done learning that tricky solo.

Kebabkid

Nice one Connor and not a particularly easy one to play.

Well-played and there's more to their music than people realise

SidNewton

meltedbuzzbox said:

Why don't you ever use your little finger?

Michael Schenker rarely uses his little finger and at 63 he's still the business.

Nice playing as always @Bucket.

blueskunk

Lovely stuff