Justin Hawkins--frontman of 80's hair metal revivalists The Darkness--revealed in an exclusive interview with The Sun that he's been in rehab for cocaine addiction, and that he's decided to quit the band. Over the course of the past three years Hawkins figures he's spent over £150,000 on coke, often going on binges that would last days at a time. It got to such a point that Hawkins says"I thought my dad was speaking to me and he wasn'''t even there. And I was starting to hallucinate.''" The band plans to carry on without Hawkins, with bass player Richie Edwards expected to take over as frontman. ''"It would be damaging to my recovery to stay on. I'''m not blaming the band for my problem '' I am an addict. There are people who can be in bands and stay clean, but I'''m not one of them." Hawkins plans to eventually continue his music career, by putting out a solo album and maybe scoring films.
Isn't he the primary guy in the band though?
Dave Park
Joy Division pulled it off...
Justin Sheppard
Did the darkness just get compared to joy division?This is all really tragic. The Darkness falls prey to cocaine addiction, who would have guessed?
Matthew Gasteier
Didn't Skid Row kick out Sebastian Bach too?
Dave Park
I was just comparing the situations Matt, don't get your panties in a bunch.
Justin Sheppard
Maybe he's going to go concentrate on his other group, the "Arctic Junkies":http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,4-2006390258,00.html
Dan
Who told you I wear panties?
Matthew Gasteier
You used a lot nicer picture then I went forhttp://www.musictowers.com/assets/gallery/J/pic_10-11-2006_11-42-35_AM_7056.jpg
dok