The Darkness

Brought to my attention by Scooter...

Per Dock Ellis, "Evidently, calling their album 'One Way Ticket to Hell and Back' was a bit premature."

I tried telling you guys this back in March. Just like everything else in life, Kodos is light years ahead of the masses in thought. Either that, or my crystal ball is in over drive...again.

So very disappointing. I have very fond memories of zooming around Holland with Dock and Scooter, while rocking out to The Darkness via the cd player in our "Le Weekender."

Drugs force Darkness singer out

The lead singer of glam rock band The Darkness is leaving the group after a battle with drug addiction, it has been confirmed.

Justin Hawkins, 31, spent nine weeks in The Priory clinic in a bid to kick his cocaine addiction.

The singer, famous for his catsuits and high-pitched vocals, said the band would be "damaging" to his recovery.

The Darkness, who dominated the Brit Awards in 2004, is set to continue. Hawkins is still reviewing his options.

The group scored a major hit with their first album, Permission To Land, which sold 1.5 million copies.

Band 'shocked'

But the pressures of fame, including press attention and constant travelling, led Hawkins to cocaine use.

He told the Sun newspaper: "I became secretive, volatile and verbally abusive, a really unpleasant person to be around. There were lots of periods I don't even remember, blackouts.

"I couldn't even tell you how much I was drinking - it was all day when we were on tour. My weapon of choice was vodka.

"It has affected every aspect of my life, with the band and my girlfriend Sue."

He said he would continue to visit The Priory and "would love to become a counsellor".

The band were reported to be "in a state of shock" having hoped to have changed Hawkins mind about leaving the band.

Despite their early success, the Darkness notched up disappointing sales for their second album One Way Ticket To Hell And Back.