The Darkness’ Frankie Poullain Reveals His Favourite Things About Touring the States

Right now, the world needs to party harder than it has ever partied before, so who better to provide the soundtrack than British hard rockers The Darkness? With a full U.S. tour about to kick off and more plans in the pipeline, including an appearance at Download Festival in the UK, the Lowestoft rockers are clearly looking to make up for lost time over the next twelve months.

Supporting their standout Motorheart album, we spoke with bassist Frankie Poullain to learn his favourite things about touring America, which of the new songs he’s most looking forward to playing live, and his past (hazy) memories of touring the States.

Thanks for your time, Frankie. How’s life treating you?

Frankie Poullain: “Life is a handsome irresistible bastard treating me like a discarded cigarette butt – it just keeps on smoking me, but what can I do?”

The band is about to head out on an American tour in the next few weeks. What can fans expect from The Darkness in 2022?

“Nobility, dignity, and sweaty pheromones teasing the nostrils.”

How challenging has it been to pull together a tour like this, and how different will life be on the road for The Darkness in this new way of living?

“The challenge has been for our long-suffering tour manager, I just don’t know how he manages to deal with the maddening intricacies, the web of bureaucracy, and never-ending minutiae. Not to mention the slovenly selfish carefree band members.”

What about past experiences of touring the States? Any good tales or memories, I expect there are plenty?

“Three of the band are single now, so rather than look back, we look ahead with optimism and excitement to the second dawning of the ’Roaring 20s.’ The memories I have are romantic ones which preclude me from sharing, as to do so would sully and render them unromantic.”

What are your favourite/least favourite things about touring the States?

“Favourite things are hoe downs, fried eggs over hash in scruffy diners (with hot sauce), mischievous southern belles, dipsy California girls with daisies in their hair, the jangle of banjos and folks naturally wanting things to succeed, rather than flounder so they can complain about it, like here in the UK. Least favourite thing: hipsters joylessly sipping bitter coffee from those scalding little glasses.”

Artwork for the album ‘Motorheart’ by The Darkness

Do you have any particular places you look forward to when you see them on a tour itinerary for the States?

“When you look forward to them they disappoint, when you dread them they come up trumps. That’s what I love about the States, confounds expectations.”

The tour takes you through to mid-April which brings us up to festival season. What does the summer look like for The Darkness?

“Very rosy indeed, touch wood. A golden never-ending summer where every flower reveals itself.”

One of those summer shows will be Download in the UK. How would you describe Download to an American rock fan?

“Sheer unrelenting ecstatic misery.”

What about U.S. summer festivals. How different are they to the UK?

“Less Union Jacks and warm beer, better teeth, and more corn dogs.”

You‘re out touring in support of Motorheart. Which songs are you most looking forward to blasting out on the road from it and why?

“The title track, ‘Sticky Situations,’ and ‘It’s Love Jim,’ because they kick-arse, as we say.”

We’ve talked about the U.S. tour and the summer, but how does the rest of 2022 plan out for The Darkness?

“A surprise announcement for the UK…”

It’s been a long time coming, but the tour is nearly here so do you have any message to fans coming out to the shows?

“Let it all hang out, give everything a good airing, God knows it needs it.”

Thanks for your time and enjoy the tour. Over to you to wrap this up…

“I prefer sandwiches to wraps.”

Upcoming Tour Dates:

03/09 – The Observatory North Park, San Diego, CA
03/10 – House of Blues Las Vegas, NV
03/12 – Marquee Theatre Tempe, AZ
03/13 – The Observatory Santa Ana, CA
03/15 – The Novo, Los Angeles, CA
03/16 – The Regency Ballroom San Francisco, CA
03/17 – Roseland Theater Portland, OR
03/18 – The Showbox Seattle, WA
03/20 – Vogue Theatre Vancouver, CAN
03/22 – The Palace Theatre Calgary, CAN
03/23 – Union Hall Edmonton, CAN
03/25 – The Park Theatre Winnipeg, CAN
03/26 – Varsity Theater Minneapolis, MN
03/28 – The Rave/Eagles Club Milwaukee, WI
03/29 – The Majestic Theatre Detroit, MI
03/30 – Park West Chicago, IL
04/01 – Pop‘s Nighclub & Concert Venue Sauget, IL
04/02 – The Truman Kansas City, MO
04/03 – Granada Theater Dallas, TX
04/05 – Mohawk Austin, TX
04/06 – Warehouse Live Houston, TX
04/08 – Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, TN
04/09 – The Masquerade Atlanta, GA
04/10 – The Beacham THeatre Orlando, FL
04/12 – The Ritz Ybor Tampa, FL
04/13 – Culture Room Fort Lauderdale, FL
04/15 – Neighborhood Theatre Charlotte, NC
04/16 – Jergel‘s Rhythm Grille, Warrendale, PA
04/18 – Webster Hall New York, NY
04/19 – Phoenix Concert Theatre Toronto, CAN
04/20 – Town Ballroom Buffalo, NY
04/22 – Asbury Lanes Asbury Park, NJ
04/23 – Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia, PA
04/24 – Royale Boston, MA