Justin Hawkins

Latest about Justin Hawkins

Justin Hawkins Atkin signature guitar
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

Electric Guitars
Justin Hawkins (front, center) and Dan Hawkins (background, left)
“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

Effects & Pedals
The Darkness' Dan (left) and Justin Hawkins perform onstage in San Francisco in 2023
“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

Bands
Justin Hawkins of The Darkness performs during Alcatraz Metal Fest on August 12, 2022 in Kortrijk, Belgium.
“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

Guitarists
Justin Hawkins and John Frusciante
Justin Hawkins explains why he thinks John Frusciante is overrated

By Matt Owen Published

In his podcast, The Darkness guitarist discussed why he gets “nothing from John Frusciante’s guitar playing” – and why he thinks no good rock 'n' roll has ever been played on a PRS

Guitarists
Justin Hawkins and Plini
Justin Hawkins brands Plini “a bit boring”

By Matt Owen Published

Despite suggesting Plini’s act lacks “attitudinal edginess” – and advising he swaps his Strandberg for a low-slung Les Paul – the Darkness frontman does pay tribute to the virtuoso’s “staggering musicianship”

Guitarists
Justin Hawkins reacts to The Winery Dogs music video Xanadu
Justin Hawkins: “What?! Split harmonics on the bass?”

By Nick Wells Published

The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins reacts to the fast and furious licks of Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen of rock supergroup The Winery Dogs

Artists
[L-R] Justin Hawkins and Tim Henson
“Ow, it's burning!”: watch Justin Hawkins try to play like Polyphia

By Sam Roche Published

The Darkness frontman reacts to Ego Death, the prog-rockers' head-spinning new single with Steve Vai

Artists
Wolfgang Van Halen and Justin Hawkins
Wolfgang Van Halen discusses nerves over covering Eddie's guitar parts at Taylor Hawkins tribute concert: “I didn’t even know if I could do it”

By Sam Roche Published

The multi-instrumentalist details his fast-tracked rehearsal process with Dave Grohl, Josh Freese and Justin Hawkins, and why the tribute marked the perfect moment to play Van Halen music onstage

Concert, Gigs & Tours
The Darkness
The Darkness: “We just see how far we can get before the solos go flying off the edge of the cliff”

By Richard Bienstock Published

Guitarists Dan and Justin Hawkins talk Motorheart, a riff-rocking new record that’s dedicated to having fun – and, of course, sex robots

Guitarists
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