Justin Hawkins
Latest about Justin Hawkins

“We can see this dividing opinion more than almost any guitar we’ve reviewed”: Atkin JH3001 review
By Neville Marten published
What happens when charmingly bonkers rockstar Justin Hawkins is given free rein to design his own guitar? Guess what? He comes up with something charmingly bonkers!

Justin Hawkins is known for his rock chops – but a soul and reggae legend inspired him to break the rules
By Jenna Scaramanga published
The Darkness singer on how Johnny Nash inspired him to broaden his musical horizon

Why Justin Hawkins expects to be playing nothing but Atkin guitars by the end of the year
By Amit Sharma published
The Darkness frontman details his journey to Friedman amps via a freaky Laney experience, the success of his musicology podcast series, and the jealousy his band have caused by crossing over to pop

Justin Hawkins explains why technically complex bands like Sleep Token and Polyphia are generating mass appeal
By Janelle Borg published
The Darkness frontman and social media commentator claims that there's a new appreciation for a certain brand of virtuosity that, in eras past, might have been perceived as “showing off”

Justin Hawkins channels the spirit of Eddie Van Halen’s Frankenstein with his new Atkin signature guitar
By Phil Weller published
Complete with a heavily aged neon finish and an empty middle pickup cavity, this new build seemingly pays homage to Van Halen's iconic axe – with some Hawkins-style touches for good measure

“It’s the best front-end amp pedal I’ve ever heard”: Justin and Dan Hawkins have launched their own pedal brand – and its first stompbox is based on their tones from The Darkness’s debut album
By Matt Owen published
The limited-edition unit – built in collaboration with Kirk Hammett's KHDK pedal brand – ushers in the pair's new gear venture, Hawkins Brothers Audio

“We’re trying to do the AC/DC version of a two-pronged attack, especially when we play live”: The Darkness’ Justin and Dan Hawkins on the high-volume twin-guitar secrets behind Permission To Land
By Amit Sharma published
To celebrate 20 years of Permission To Land, the Hawkins brothers take us back to the start, and unpack a sound built upon the elemental force of Marshall amps and Gibson Les Pauls

“Rick Rubin is one of the most inspirational guitar players of my childhood. It’s a curveball, isn’t it?!” Justin Hawkins names the 14 guitarists who shaped his sound
By Ellie Rogers published
The Darkness frontman turned YouTube personality on why Keith Richards’ playing is underrated, what makes Eddie Van Halen’s solo blueprint so spectacular, and why guitarists who “make you feel like you want to grab a guitar and do it” are more important than any virtuoso
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