Live music review: The Darkness and Diarrhea Planet thrilled fans at Emo’s – The Cosmic Clash
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It may not have been a sold-out crowd but Emo’s fans were enthusiastic in their response to the UK neo-metal act, The Darkness and opener, Diarrhea Planet last week. It was hard not to match the energy of DP’s opening set. The Nashville-based garage punks look like they’re having a better time than the drunk fans in the front row as they rocked their way through a brief half-hour set.
We bumped into guitarist Evan Bird following the show chatting with Do 512 Director of Operations Ashley Gregg. With sweat still drying on his brow, Bird thanked us for arriving early to the venue to catch Diarrhea Planet’s set. Truth be told, we had every intention of seeing DP after missing a slew of SXSW performances the band played last March. Their reputation for high-energy, superfun shows proceeds the group.
The Darkness took the stage to a looped introduction of Abba’s “Arrival.” The irony of the situation was not lost on us as a slow grin crept across our faces. Then bandleader Justin Hawkins appeared on stage in a leopard-print jumpsuit a la the mock rockumentary, “This Is Spinal Tap.” Hawkins leapt about the stage milking opening song, “Open Fire” for every last bit of dramatic pose as his high-pitched voiced pierced through the air.
As the song ended the stringy-haired Englishman asked the audience for any critiques or suggestions in a proper British accent with a droll smile. It was a theme he revisited several times during the show. He also improvised a game using bald audience members’ heads as targets for guitar picks flung from the stage. The man clearly likes having a bit of fun while he’s performing. Frankly his lack of self-importance and candor was refreshing. Hawkins and his band don’t take themselves too seriously but they’re serious about having fun.
The show closed with a three-song encore of “Japanese Prisoner of Love”, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” and “Love on the Rocks With No Ice.” Even a fumbling Inspector Clouseau could detect a theme here. Love wins. For those naysayers who like to crow that guitar rock is dead, the beatific smiles on fans at Emo’s last week tell a different story. Rock n roll will never die. *cue hundreds of raised rock on hands high in the air*
Setlist:
Open Fire
Love Is Only a Feeling
Southern Trains
Black Shuck
One Way Ticket
Givin’ Up
All the Pretty Girls
Barbarian
Buccaneers of Hispaniola
Friday Night
Every Inch of You
Solid Gold
Stuck in a Rut
Get Your Hands Off My Woman
Growing on Me
Encore:
Japanese Prisoner of Love
I Believe in a Thing Called Love
Love on the Rocks With No Ice
