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Evening Standard rating
Darkness singer stages his return
Rick Pearson, Evening Standard 3 Nov 2008
Do you remember The Darkness, the four-headed lovechild of Queen and Spinal Tap that stormed the charts in tiger suits and Spandex? Well, their frontman Justin Hawkins is back. Hot Leg, his latest effort, were Saturday night headliners at the London Games Festival — a free interactive extravaganza in Trafalgar Square celebrating computer games and grizzly rock music.
There’s a growing relationship between Ram and rock at present, with games like Guitar Hero bringing the sounds of Aerosmith and AC/DC to teenage bedrooms around the country.
Can Hot Leg profit from this rock-friendly climate? I doubt it. Hawkins was on fine form as ever, braving the bitterly cold evening in a fetching beret-and-vest ensemble, but there wasn’t a lot to suggest that he and his hairy rock companions would be headlining arenas any time soon.
There were highlights, of course. Heroes had a galloping beat, helium-assisted harmonies and a lightning guitar solo. Elsewhere, current single Trojan Guitar was part medieval ballad, part
Seventies prog-rock and the closest thing to a hit on display.
As you’d expect from a man who includes references to ping pong and archery in his pop songs, there were some interesting lyrics to ponder. One number included the refrain: “Oh the Eighties/They were the gaydies/They were the straighties/In 1980,” suggesting Hawkins may have attended the Spinal Tap school of poetry.
Not that he is one to let something as trivial as lyrics stand in his way. “This is going to be our Christmas single,” he announced to the crowd, before launching into I Met Jesus, a maddeningly catchy ditty about a chance encounter with the Lord.
It’s not the first time Hawkins has tried for a Christmas number one. The Darkness’s Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End) was narrowly beaten to the top spot by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules’s version of Mad World in 2003. It would be a mad world indeed if I Met Jesus were to change this.
Although in a land where artists such as Bob The Builder and Mr Blobby have bagged Christmas number ones, it may be Hot Leg’s best chance of success.
Failing that, they might be able to get a track on one of the guitar hero games and become rock stars in virtual reality. As for becoming a hit band in the real world, I’d say that was
virtually impossible.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (22)
I was a huge fan of the Darkness and I was very disappointed when it was over. I always hoped that Justin might be back with a new band and more great songs and he has and Hot Leg are even better than the Darkness. It's so great that i can't stop listening to it. I can't understand how many people i know like listening to that X - Factor rubbish over propper rock like this, it's insane. Great Music
- Dan, Scarborough, England, 15/02/2009 16:16
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Hot Leg will soon be firmly ensconsed in the charts again. The Darkness were one of the best live bands I have ever seen & Hot Leg are even better. I've seen them three times so far & have tickets for two dates on the next tour. It's a bit sad that some reviewers can't seem to cope with anyone who can combine humour & music, they make a perfect combination.
Justin can certainly pen a pop chune & there will be a top five single within the next 12 months, perhaps not a xmas No. 1 with I've met Jesus but I wouldn't rule out xmas 2009.
- Shaun Cole, Lowestoft., 13/12/2008 12:48
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Having seen Hotleg support Extreme in Southhampton I was amazed to see a support act manage to captivate an audience the way that they did. Hotleg are hugely entertaining! With consistant interaction with the crowd and jokey banter, catchy songs, crowd participation and epic guitar solos, Hawkins soon had the audience chanting their name.
The songs where light harted and fun and the band clearly have a great time on stage. Its obvious Hotleg dont take themselves to seriously and love what they do, a fantastic and refreshing change from alot of todays business like and egocentric bands.
The talent was ablaze, Hawkins (love him or hate him) an excellent front man! It was suprising to see them as a support act.
While a few people may not agree with Hawkins musical sense of humor there is no doubt about it, Hotleg put on an excellent show!
A definate thumbs up!
- Steve, london, 01/12/2008 00:51
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I was a disillusioned music lover - the world is now either full of X-factor type manufactured acts who are promoted to make a quick bang for the corporate buck or established artists who just seem to going through the motions. However recently, my faith has been restored by four phenomenally talented musicians, called Hot Leg, who have remembered the fundamental principles that make great music great; write excellent songs, put your heart and soul into it and rock it out loud and above all have fun. They are quite simply the most captivating band I have ever seen live without employing video, stunts and pyrotechnics to engage enthral and excite the audience (and I’ve seen quite a few). I can’t say that of many bands… so don’t listen to one person’s biased, uniformed opinion, go and see them live or buy a Hot Leg track and make your own mind up.
- Sue Thompson, Surrey, England, 26/11/2008 18:38
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The Legs Man Rock is some sort of magical creature that goes beyond music and lightning bolt solos ... It goes beyond ROCK and ROLL !!!!
All Hail THE LEG!!!!!!!
I'm from argentina and i can tell you that Hot Leg will be loved by everyone since THE DARKNESS was a great success in south america! Justin is all a band needs!!!!!!!!!!!
- Martin, Buenos Aires. Argentina, 25/11/2008 13:18
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Hot Leg were awful and just so cheesy and ridiculous. Its bands like this that help to kill real rock music.
- Damian, leeds, 19/11/2008 14:56
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It's a shame that there are some folks out there that are tone deaf and take themselves so seriously - thankfully Justin and the guys of Hot Leg don't suffer from any of those afflictions!!
Hot Leg Rock Harder than Val Doonican's Rockin' Chair!!!
- Annie, Berkshire, UK, 11/11/2008 22:28
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Awful performance.
- Jalaiko, london, 09/11/2008 13:23
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I've only seen Hot Leg once, but it was enough to blow me away! They are truly amazing and I don't understand why some people cannot appreciate talent when it is right in front of them. Everyone I know who was at Trafalgar Square enjoyed the show!
- Hoi, Portsmouth, 08/11/2008 11:10
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His Eurovision entry was brilliant I thought - if it had been just a little slower in tempo, it would definitely have been a winner. The group chosen to represent the UK was an extremely bad choice, in my opinion. Justin's song was far superior.
As for Hot Leg, I saw them for the first time in Derby and was bowled over by their stage presence & ability to get the crowd going. They were so much fun! Aside from that, Justin has a voice like pure honey, I love his falsetto singing, and the rest of the band are hugely talented musicians. I'm not a big concert-goer, but this band has captivated me, and I am dying to see them again!! Guys, YOU ROCK!!!
- Jules, Oakham, England, 06/11/2008 21:07
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Justin's talents are many, and perfectly obvious. All four of Hot Leg are very accomplished musicians.
IMO, this reviewer couldn't make his mind up between writing about what he saw, and wanting to put Justin down. Seems like a classic case of prejudice colouring truth.
- Jo Cumming, Norwich, 06/11/2008 21:02
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I have seen Hot Leg five times now and I can't wait to see them again. Justin is the most talented musician I have ever come across and I have been going to see rock bands since 1976.
All of the band members display a technical brilliance that makes other bands seem amateur in comparison and I personally think that they will go far.
- Fee Barrett, Peterborough, England., 06/11/2008 10:25
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I have seen Justin and Hot Leg perform live recently and I must say that they are amazing... A very talented group of musicians with a very talented brand of Man Rock..
Justin has overcome his demons, picked himself up and progressed into, once again, the talent that is, Justin 'Dave' Hawkins..
This talented Rock God and his talented band will go far..
Here's to Man Rock at it's greatest....
- Sheryl Graham, Lancashire, England.., 05/11/2008 22:40
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Well, I agree with everything that Jeremy Paige has said!
I was not at this show, but i have seen footage of it, and i was at the show in Peterborough. I thought that the Peterborough show was out of this world! It was outstanding!
The footage that i have seen from this show, blew my socks off and many of the people who attended the show thought this also, so I can't really understand this review to be honest.
Justin Hawkins has always been amazingly talented. He has a great ability to write chart topping hits, and fill arenas - am i not correct?
Hot Legs' huge quantity of fans would suggest that many people would agree with everything I have just noted.
Keith - I suggest that you go and read a dictionary and find the definition for talented.
- Kat Wakefield, Lincolnshire, 05/11/2008 22:17
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I don't think people actually know what Justin has been through. I've been to see Hot Leg 4 times now and i'm looking forward to my fifth time next week. I for one really respect him as a person and as a musician. Keith Price - you don't know what you're on about.
- Tina Sykes, Loughborough, Leicestershire, 05/11/2008 22:04
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Can anyone imagine what it must be like for Justin? He could have just got out of the music business, but it's his life - his living. I've been to 4 Hot Leg concerts and everyone has the best time ever. He is here to stay and i for one respect him as a person and musician! Keith Price - you don't know what you're talking about!!
- Tina Sykes, Loughborough, Leicestershire, 05/11/2008 21:07
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I think Justin Hawkins has a fantastic talent!, his voice,personality,looks are fantastic!, and should not go to waste!.
HOT LEG ROCK THIS WORLD!.
and if anyone has gave them a bad review on their gigs need your ear's testing because something must be wrong with them.
Justin has been brilliant and we all very very much support him after what he has done and he should never stop doing what he is amazing doing!.
HOT LEG TOTALLY ROCK THIS WORLD BEST GROUP EVER AND REALLY CANT WAIT UNTIL THE ALBUM!! =D
- Georgia., Middlesbrough,England, 05/11/2008 19:24
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OK, so that's that sorted - now onto the review itself. Rather contradictory. It states 'there were highlights, of course' and continues by naming three songs. They only played FIVE songs!!! Not a bad return as the fourth song was also considered to be 'interesting'. I imagine the review was really written in advance and that the reviewer was disappointed to find Justin 'on fine form as ever'. Like I said, contradictory.
- Jeremy Paige, Birmingham, 05/11/2008 17:47
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Keith, Justin Hawkins has got more talent in his little finger than most of the "bands" that are in the charts at the moment.
Pete,Sam and Darby (the rest of the band) are top musicians in their own right and teamed up with Mr Hawkins they are explosive.HotLeg WILL rise to be one of the most successful bands this country has seen in a long time.
Another huge plus with HotLeg is that they treat their supporters like friends and spend time with them after gigs,how many bands do that these days??.
BTW Mr Paige
WELL SAID
- Linda Johnson, Chester,Cheshire,England, 05/11/2008 17:33
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The gig was great. Keith Price sounds like an absolute moron. He clearly did not attend the show or he would have seen an immense talent in Hawkins. Keith Price of Luton was probably at home sniffing his dads panties. 
- James Hardy, Birmingham, UK, 05/11/2008 00:45
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Were you there Keith? Thought not. I was.
If playing every instrument and producing his next album qualifies Justin as being talented, and I think it probably (correct spelling) does, then maybe it will be a 'different story'. I think it is a widely held view that Eurovision was a mistake, but mainly because he was operating outside of his genre. That's what great artists do - act outside of the comfort zone and take risks. Sometimes the consequence is failure. Try it, you might get out of Luton, but you might not, that's what makes it interesting. Kerry Dixon did.
- Jeremy Paige, Birmingham, 04/11/2008 22:40
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Justin failed miserably in the Song For Europe and this effort will peobably end the same way. If he was talented it would be a different story
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 03/11/2008 19:06
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