At the office where I work it is now quite common to hear various people occasionally shouting out..."Justin Hawkins rides again....again". I find this a good and positive thing as it brings a bit of fun to the day.
I went to a Darkness gig during my rock bottom and even got a photo with you. In the middle of a 3 day bender. The police had released me a few hours before the gig! 3.5 years sober now ❤
Hit my rock bottom a few times. It took a whole world of shame to end it & work on myself. The party was over. Your words ring true. Clean & sober for 8 years. ❤️
That’s a great insight. You had to find shame to change. I came to be disgusted by the whole scene. If you want to see where I’m from look up Kensington Philadelphia. Though I’ve been clean for a while now and it wasn’t as bad back then. I was lucky to get clean before fentanyl really made things worse. Anyway-how do you feel about these people who think they’re being compassionate by making it comfortable for these addicts to live on the streets and keep using? I find it to be absolutely abhorrent. People call me heartless or whatever but these people need to hit that bottom, to feel that shame, as you put it, or they’ll never get better. These people are just encouraging them to off themselves with drug use.
@@smelltheglove2038 I’ve seen some of the coverage in Kensington. It’s a hard watch & one I don’t entirely agree with being put all over RUclips for others to judge. It doesn’t help anyone. Stay well ❤️
Been there guys. I drank for many years and just stopped one day. I simply got sick and tired of being sick and tired. I changed my circle and I never drank again. That’s been 8 years ago and I don’t even think about it or even crave it. It was crazy how I just stopped and I was done. I was lucky and blessed 🙏
@@spaomalley My dad and his brother came from Europe to North America at a young age. Both drank socially like fish, but the uncle was a hard core alcoholic. My dad had his last drink when I was 8. He had come home drunk and vomited in and out of the car, and in the garage. I remember when he came into the house mom dug into him real good. I could hear him vomiting in the bathroom for some time. When it went quiet I went and knocked on the bathroom door. I said I had to pee, but really I just wanted to see if he was ok. He opened the door and the stench of sour fermentation hit me like a tidal wave. I started to cry and asked him if he was going to die. I'll never forget the look on his face. He never touched another drop after that. His brother wasn't so lucky. He also took his own life in 1988. So I feel for you, and anyone else who has had to live thru that terror. It's true tho...rock bottom is the cure. I'm glad that Justin replied to your question.
I have been sober for 5 years. For me it was normal life taking drugs and drinking because everybody around me did it too. The people who didn’t do it I purposely avoided. I sank into depression, a really dark place. You have to hit the bottom don’t you? I moved away, went completely cold Turkey and started my life again. I’m the happiest I have ever been, and I have my own business but the most important thing is I have my family again. And I haven’t told them a lie in 5 years. I can look at myself in the mirror now. I wouldn’t even be tempted to go back again. Thank you for sharing Justin ❤
Thank you Justin. A lovely comments day as usual 😊. I know smoking isn't quite the same as drugs or alcohol, but can be just as hard to quit. I started and stopped at least 5 times for 13 years. The last time seems to be sticking and it will be 2 years smoke free in 2 days.
Justin you mad bastard. I have to admit I've become rather fond of this channel. You've blown me away as a proper student of rock and music generally so I went to Spotify and decided to give the darkness a second chance. Now, I listen to the songs and they're still so ridiculously over the top I start to smile instantly but listen closely, just beyond the mirth and by God you guys can rock. Great music, great podcast/channel, great person. Thanks and keep going
I'm going through treatment at the moment, it's a long dark road and you have to be at the bottom of the darkest deepest pit before beginning a new path to recovery, thanks for being open about discussing your life Justin you are amazing to listen to.
Beautiful. I’ve never personally dealt with it but I’ve lost loved ones to it. It’s sad to see that what you think someone’s rock bottom is, they will go so much lower just to prove you wrong.
Many years ago, I lost my friends, home, car, respect for myself and was in debt by a long way. It was my personal rock bottom, when I hit 7 stone and was told I would be dead in 6 months if I didn't stop. My father was the only person that stood by me I was 17 years old! Everyone has their own story and their own bottom... its sad to think that we have to get to that point to be able to control ourselves (that's the way I see it). I now have 3 children and am happily single with my life under my own control, and I'm healthy and in recovery... I will always be in recovery x Sorry to hear about your losses.
It's a disease. Environmental factors do play a big role but the difference between someone with substance abuse issues and someone with the disease/illness is their ability or inability to reason and stop when things change, intervention ect. For someone entrenched in the illness, it takes a shocking amount of effort on their part to change and doing it alone is harder still. It is up to them though. I'm losing one of my best friends to drug abuse and Ive just had to walk away as topically he is the same person he has always been but the harsh reality of the disease is at the end of the day, I'm just another person to be exploited for resources.
@David_FC I am sorry you are having to go through this, I cannot imagine the pain I put my friends and family through all those years ago and what you are going through now. It cannot be easy to walk away But you are not in the wrong by doing so. I've been free from it for 24 years, I count myself as very lucky, I not only had support but was able to re organise I had a problem.
I didn't "sort of" have a problem with addiction. It was a full on, real, fucked up, trip to rock bottom where I crashed and burned for several years. And then it hit me, I was done with it, enough was enough. A moment of clarity of thought was enough for me to start my journey into recovery. Don't get me wrong, stopping drinking was incredibly difficult, but once I realised I'd been beaten by it, and I could never win against it, I knew that I could get sober. And that was 8th November 2008, and I've not had a drink since, one day at a time.
Question #1 - Damn. I am a recent follower and up until now, I've never heard you speak to something in such a serious way. You're usually very light-hearted about things. Respect.
Justin, thank you for your honesty in answering the question of addiction. I appreciate you very much. I’m struggling right now and you help me. It made me smile that you said I might be better at fishing and tennis, as I spent 18 years playing the sport. A throwaway line in your video, but it just shows that words matter.
Some really poignant and touching responses. Appreciate your honesty and mindfulness, I had a family member go through addiction so I appreciate you’re saying something often has to give. Congrats on your sixteen years of sobriety and can’t wait for the next uk tour!
the Algorithm tonight decided I should discover your videos, so I did the usual rabbit hole thing with your videos. It took me a while to associate you with the person I knew from the Darkness, but it's great to see that that person with great energy and charisma is still so likeable, perhaps wiser, and has not lost a bit of the star power. Just media have changed and we're now on the Tube. And so good luck and thank you mighty Algorithm!
Loving your transparency Justin. Thank you. 10 years sober here but have sadly lost so many beautiful friends to alcoholism and addiction along the way. We truly are the lucky ones.
coming out of addiction and into recovery is tough - in a rehab environment, where you're all sharing and connecting, it seems relatively easy for the time you're in there. The problems begin upon 'release' when you go back to the same environment where you hit your rock bottom - like a 'happy' moment, it recedes with time. The solution is CHANGE. Everything - that in itself is hard - really hard. That could be relationships, home, job and friends - that have all contributed to the toxic state you inevitably found yourself in. But as you said Justin, the realisation that you will die if you don't is the only incentive. Recovery HAS to be done one day at a time - especially at first, putting recovery first. And recovery is, to me, connection, honesty and a whole bunch of 'doing the right thing' values by action, (not words) - eventually, the sun begins to poke through - depression will recede, life does become meaningful and thought the whole process, you find YOU, your identity, what it is that makes you tick. Find that, find you, practise doing the right thing in everything, being of service to others and EVERYTHING falls into place. Thanks for this.
Thanks for always addressing addiction from the heart. You words are indeed very wise. If you’re struggling with the idea you may be an addict please talk to someone and get yourself to a meeting. Unfortunately the only way out is through and only you hold the key to your sobriety.
Q FOR COMMENTS DAY: Justin, you mentioned, in a previous video, 3 Darkness songs you hate and shouldn't have been released. Two of the songs mentioned were on Hot Cakes, "With A Woman" and "Everybody Have A Good Time". Are you aware these are, by far, the two most streamed songs from Hot Cakes on Spotify? Does this change your mind about the songs? Whoever convinced you to add them, did they see something you didn't? Love the channel 🤘
Justin you are such an inspirational young man. Thank you personally for all you have done for me....your music,your personality,style,wit and common sense as got me through so much in life ❤
Yes I have seen family member hit what I think is rock bottom when, out of theatre for simple procedure, found out we were asked to provide permission for DNACPR (Do Not Resuscitate or give CPR) to be given, when they were under anaesthetic, as they were too unwell to cope with procedure, so it was cancelled. I think that one hit home and hopefully, they are slowly making a recovery from it all, one day at a time. We all truly hope so. Well done on your 16 1/2 years of sobriety. I hope life is not just more memorable now, but spending it with those you love too. Btw, I love your hair at the moment. Hugs to all 💖
I've been in the bedrock a few times and honestly still have a toe in there. I'm 44 and I know there is light for me. You have to keep moving forward even though everyday feels the same. Focus on the people you love, Focus on the things you love doing.
Are you ever going to do a compilation album with comparable artists? Do you ever wish to perform with any particular artist? Lzzy Hale has said she's got you on her list and that would be amazing
The scary thing about cancel culture is that people are (on the whole) being increasingly careful about what they say, and yet the punishments continue to get more severe. Every time the artist or the individual capitulates, the cancellers must look for increasingly minor offences to punish.
Q for the next Question Day. Was just watching a short by Stewart Copeland, and he was asked which was his most technically challenging Police song to drum to. He replied with Spirits in the Material World, started playing it and lost time. So, my question is the same, but with Darkness songs, and are there any you or other band members just refuse to play live?
Someone I worked with used to say that most people don't change without some sort of traumatic experience causing it. Whether it is addiction or another behavioral problem, I've found that to be true.
16 years sober. Congratulations. Alcohol sucks if you can't control it. I think it's important to fill your life with meaningful things like gardening. Getting out in nature hiking. Helping people and being a decent human being. If you are trying to quit alcohol I suggest just smoking cannabis if you can do it. A lot of my friends quit doing drugs because of cannabis. Many stop smoking cigarettes because of cannabis. Personally I think it's a Blessed Sacrament and it kept me off the hard dope and alcohol. Personally I think you look better without the mustache. Godbless
Great work on turning this channel into what it is Justin! Loving every second of it, almost since day one. Q, not necessarily for comments day but still something I'd be very interested in: Totally looking forward to the Euro gigs in November. Are you planning on adding any more dates or should I just go ahead and decide on one of the ones already confirmed (since I'd obviously be travelling anyway)?
I hit rock bottom in 1986 of a fruit machine addiction. It wasn't a huge addiction but I came to realise that when I put most of my weeks wages into a fruit machine over a 9 hour period just to be £20 up at the end of it was enough for me to stay away from fruit machines ever again. Now I need to stay away from alcohol BEFORE I reach rock bottom.
Hi Justin, to continue the question about not using sheet music, if you come up with something great how do you make sure you don't forget it? I've often come up with nice things playing live or noodling on the guitar, and can never find them again afterwards
Love this channel and how open and straightforward you are. Thank you for creating this content for us. I have a suggestion for a future analysis - Cobra Man, who describe themselves as L.A. Power Disco - I’m sure you’ll find it interesting!
Hey Justin, first question and answer were gold. I never did drugs, but I had too much alcohol. And I still think, I was lucky. Phew, long time ago ... And, hell yeah, "Ungarische Bartwichse" is the BEST 😎 Cheers and take care, Justin!
You are always in recovery, every day. Your life will not be magically better, just less shit. Eventually you reach a semblance of normal, that is when it easiest to fall back in.
I drink alcohol but i am not an adict to it. Most of people start to drink as a part of the social relationships, and in some places there are a culture around it. I remember when i was teenager (i am now 46), the most of my friends started to drink and smoke cigarretes and drugs. I didn't like smoking, this is something that i've really never done, and in that time drinking neither. I remember to receive a lot of press from friends as well i didn't do any of these things, in the sense "you're boring... or it happens nothing for try". In my opinion the adiction has a deepest explanation, i mean that sometimes there are troubles or reasons hid in the back of the adiction...i mean it is a consecuence of somerhing.
I’d love to hear more on that comment towards the end of the last question, about the “personal experience” of someone playing a song he wrote. You can’t stop there man, c’mon! Details, please?
My Hummingbird is a humble Epiphone, black in color, but it cheers me that yours is stationed in relation to you, just where mine is to me. unmistakable pick guard shape. All the best from Bama, Justin.
EIC and MH were great, but Pinewood Smile is still my favorite. I've made new TD fans of people by gifting them copies of that album. It's a powerhouse of an LP.👍
Hello Mr. Hawkins! Question for you… Knockers is my absolute favorite Darkness song and I was recently watching some live performances of it. How difficult is it for you to go from a piano solo straight into a slide guitar solo?? Your musicianship knows no bounds, truly!
I think some bands may re-record older songs because production quality has vastly improved over the last 40 years. Testament and Anthrax, both did this and I loved the songs even more with better production.
A neat example of the re-recording thing is James Taylor with "Carolina in my mind". Most people don't realize they're listening to a re-recording of the song and have never heard the original. It was a minor hit for him in 1968 but it got tied up in the Apple fiasco when the Beatles broke up, so he couldn't release it for his greatest hits album in 1976. So he re-recorded that song and another one "Something in the way she moves" all over again. Actually the remakes are much better anyway to be honest.
I had a huge problem with alcohol, and cocaine. Think about it all the time, but you have to prioritize. For me was my wife (girlfriend at the time) as a new years resolution. 7 years sober, and a 5 year old daughter later, I'm humbled.
As an addict myself, hearing the phrase "sort of an addict" is denial of the seriousness of addiction... If it's not you personally with the addiction, there's really nothing you can do to help an addict out of it (until they come to the realization and decide for themselves to quit and commit to it)... but often people who live with or around people suffering have some issues to sort out as well... If you are the addict, far too often rock bottom is that light bulb moment when you realize "I can't continue to live this way, if I want to stay alive"... some people see the light and even more sadly, some don't get the chance (or don't want) to see the light... that's a very difficult subject for me and too many people in this world to come to terms with
It is up to the addict but I feel there are so many things society does and the person living with the addict, that make it so much harder for the addict to begin and stay with recovery. It wasnt due to my issues but my complete ignorance of alcoholism. I didnt know I was an enabler, I thought pouring out the hidden bottles was a good thing. Thankfully the deal with the rehab was we both had to do the program in seperate streams. The experts understand that it is not just the addict that needs skills to deal with addictions. As a community we can create an environment that doesnt hinder the recovery eg someone throwing beer at Justin at a concert and his response to the possible consquences, bless the wonderful man. None of it saved my husband as he said he had chosen a short life without it because it was less scary than living a long life without it. I hope I provide the right support to my friends who reach out to me eg like not to giving advice or opinions and leaving it to the experts. That, in itself can be enough to make a difference.
As someone who was on the wrong end of a drunken father you need to have a very good word with yourself as soon as possible. At 58 I am still not over it. But my liver is better than his. And even posting this is scary.
Rock bottom for me wasn't becoming homeless. After years in dept, becoming homeless was actually the most liberating feeling ever. I had all the stuff for hiking, a bicycle, some money. It wasn't sleeping the freezing cold woods that was rock bottom. It was going back to my own country, being directed by rules to go to the homeless shelter. I had to hand in every sharp object that I used for survival. When I stored all that stuff at a friends place, that was rock bottom. When I discovered my friends decided to go through the box full of depts, despite pressuring them not to open that damn box. I've never felt so disarmed and stripped from reputation, argumentation, basicly all power I had left. The first night sleeping above a very smelly fellow companion. Like a pup being dragged through his own puddle to unlearn it to pee inside home. That was rock bottom. Don't worry I'm fine now, I have a new home where I can grow old, I'm in dept restructuring, and after that is done, I'm going back to work eventually. But, you know, it had to come a long way.
Foreigner re-recorded most of their hits with the newer lineup. Lou Gramm will always be the man, but it was really interesting to listen to the old songs re-recorded with Kelly Hansen. He's a great singer, and they stayed really faithful to the originals. I'm pretty sure Mick Jones owned most writing credits on the originals, so I don't think they did it to circumvent paying Lou Gramm or others, I think it was done mainly to promote their live touring, like, "hey, we still sound like foreigner! Come see us at the nearest county fair or Indian Casino!"
Good morning from New England..My bottom was in 2009 when I woke after a night of debauchery covered in urine and Crap that had dried a few hrs after I had voided myself..Now other than medical weed for spine issues I've been sober for 13 yrs ✌️🤘👍
I've seen people talk about Frank Zappers sheet music, especially with percussion and one guy mentioning how complicated and complex it was, drummers find it hard to replicate some of his music because it's so complex. He had an ear for the subtle notes, that made the percussion so complex. Not many...if any bands can capture what Frank wrote down, to some it's like rocket science lol. So he definitely took writing sheet music very seriously and the band couldn't waver from that, thus he always had the best of the best in his band. Absolute genius in what he did.
Sober 20 years, I think we all have our “opportunities” to change, we just don’t all get lucky enough to notice them before it’s too late. If I’m honest I still have moments when I long for the old days and have to fight the urge, but I look at friends and family who didn’t get off that path and that motivates me. PTL actually features heavily in the three years afterwards where I pretended to be a “normal” person before accepting myself and becoming one. It’s some of the first music in my adult life that I don’t associate with my assholery.
Please include Madrid in your future tour! I’ll take my friends and family with me😅😃 so they can see you live! 🎉 we need to have that chance! We adored you guys!
Hi Justin, I love the channel and in particular the in depth knowledge you give of the business side of music as an artist. One thing that has always fascinated me are royalties. For example if another band did a tour and they wanted to cover a Darkness song at those shows, would they pay per show, or a set fee, would it also need all of your band members approval?
Is it november yet? Can't wait to see you in Amsterdam! Question; is there any specific city or venue you've never performed at, but would love to play? Cheers!
Great question! I also wonder what would I do if I could ever meet one of my idols... Probably I'd get petrified or experience some kind of Stendahl syndrome🤣🤣🤣. Then, if I got to recover myself, I would thank them for all of their music as it helped (and still helps) me so much to get through everyday 🫶
I've always thought that cancelling an artist is very unfair on the other people involved, very few artists work alone and often the main artist isn't the main creator.
Hey Juzzy…. My nan rang and asked if I’d seen her spectacles. I told her you were here for a visit… so…. You know😎 Love ya work and up the Darkness🤘🎸 Ps…A one way ticket to hell and back bro… been there too man. 38 years sober… and I’m so glad you never succumbed fully to all that faff too man.
I'm an opiate addict, IV user as well, I've been clean for 3 years, and 8 months. Rock bottom is also subjective to each person. Like, i've been robbed at gun point, even had cotton fever, but those weren't my rock bottom. Trying to shoot up Fentanyl in an abandon water park, and then again outside of a gas station with a friend trying to tie off with my seat belt, that was rock bottom for me. I could see myself from like 3rd person basically, and it all sank in. My dad died knowing I was a junkie, and a thief, I had lost everything other than my disability check that came in once a month. Either that night, or the night after I flushed the rest, and had my sister drive me to the VA where I got into rehab, and got with the best psychiatrist i've ever had. After that I had to pick what style of recovery was best, and I think a lot of people get frustrated in this part because in America they shove AA/NA down your throat without telling you there are many options available. Like, Smart Recovery, or Sober Grid. I leaned on the science though. My psychiatrist helped me understand what habits I had created, the REASON why I leaned on them so much, and how to try and curb them. The problem though is I know that when I get stressed out drugs DID work, only for like 5 minutes lol, but they did work. If they didn't we wouldn't get addicted lol. So I have to find ways to deal with stress, anger, sadness, joy even without going back to the dangerous thing that did work, but was also going to kill me. If you are beginning to think that you might have a problem I would suggest learning as much as you can about addiction, bad habits, coping skills for stress, anxiety, sadness, whatever might be your reasoning for using. Also check into AA/NA if you are into that sort of thing. They aren't bad, but they aren't the only way to get sober. Good luck to anybody starting the journey with recovery. It's a road you walk alone technically, but there are a lot of us along the same path.
Hey Justin question for the next comments day - I recently watched an info graph tracking the sales of music formats over the years. From vinyl to cassette to cd and now streaming. At the end end it dawned on me we are heading into a generation that wont own physical music. As someone that still buys vinyl and cds whats your thoughts on this?
Some great questions this time. I know someone who gave up drinking wine, and noticed significant benefits like lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure and weight loss. Definite positive outcomes. She also said Gary Glitter was fantastic in concert, back in the day. Finally Mike Oldfield re-recorded Tubular Bells in 2003 to overcome some of the issues he had back in the 1970's technology. In my opinion it sounded great, but lost some of the interesting quirks.
If you struggle with addiction, however badly you may have behaved, don't disrespect yourself, be kind to yourself. Yes, shame will help you decide to prioritize recovery, but you need to accept that you have a disease and that it is not your fault. Some people try drinking or try drugs and do not get hooked, but you unfortunately have a condition that makes you an addict. It is part genetics, part trauma-based, part circumstantial, and you are a victim. But the great part is, when you start taking responsibility for dealing with your disease with the aim of getting sober, you are not a victim anymore: you are a real champion. You can overcome a terrible condition and be victorious. Seek whatever help you can find and get involved in what works for you. I am 4 1/2 years sober from drugs and alcohol, after more than 20 years of boozing, sniffing, popping, smoking. You can do it.
My favourite quote is, Addiction is giving up everything for one thing, recovery is giving up one thing for everything
Good one 👍
I just seen this quote in the comments on a different video, I screenshoted it. Very powerful. ❤
I like that!
19 years sober and never heard this before. It’s fantastic and I’ll be pulling it out a meeting because I’m a shameless plagiarist. 🙃😄
Great analogy
At the office where I work it is now quite common to hear various people occasionally shouting out..."Justin Hawkins rides again....again". I find this a good and positive thing as it brings a bit of fun to the day.
I must begin this trend at my place of work. My family members have already been saturated and no dice
I went to a Darkness gig during my rock bottom and even got a photo with you. In the middle of a 3 day bender. The police had released me a few hours before the gig! 3.5 years sober now ❤
Good for you George
@@XoXo475 thanks!!!!
Keep it up 👍
@@frumiousgaming thanks a lot x
Good job! You deserve a drink!
Hit my rock bottom a few times. It took a whole world of shame to end it & work on myself. The party was over. Your words ring true. Clean & sober for 8 years.
❤️
That’s a great insight. You had to find shame to change. I came to be disgusted by the whole scene. If you want to see where I’m from look up Kensington Philadelphia. Though I’ve been clean for a while now and it wasn’t as bad back then. I was lucky to get clean before fentanyl really made things worse.
Anyway-how do you feel about these people who think they’re being compassionate by making it comfortable for these addicts to live on the streets and keep using? I find it to be absolutely abhorrent. People call me heartless or whatever but these people need to hit that bottom, to feel that shame, as you put it, or they’ll never get better. These people are just encouraging them to off themselves with drug use.
@@smelltheglove2038 I’ve seen some of the coverage in Kensington. It’s a hard watch & one I don’t entirely agree with being put all over RUclips for others to judge. It doesn’t help anyone.
Stay well ❤️
Been there guys. I drank for many years and just stopped one day. I simply got sick and tired of being sick and tired. I changed my circle and I never drank again. That’s been 8 years ago and I don’t even think about it or even crave it. It was crazy how I just stopped and I was done. I was lucky and blessed 🙏
Lucky man...good on ya!
I call BS. If true. Then you never struggled with addiction.
@@spaomalley My dad and his brother came from Europe to North America at a young age. Both drank socially like fish, but the uncle was a hard core alcoholic. My dad had his last drink when I was 8. He had come home drunk and vomited in and out of the car, and in the garage. I remember when he came into the house mom dug into him real good. I could hear him vomiting in the bathroom for some time. When it went quiet I went and knocked on the bathroom door. I said I had to pee, but really I just wanted to see if he was ok. He opened the door and the stench of sour fermentation hit me like a tidal wave. I started to cry and asked him if he was going to die. I'll never forget the look on his face. He never touched another drop after that. His brother wasn't so lucky. He also took his own life in 1988. So I feel for you, and anyone else who has had to live thru that terror. It's true tho...rock bottom is the cure. I'm glad that Justin replied to your question.
I'll drink to that.
@@mikejaygreenan expert assertion I take it professor.
I have been sober for 5 years. For me it was normal life taking drugs and drinking because everybody around me did it too. The people who didn’t do it I purposely avoided. I sank into depression, a really dark place. You have to hit the bottom don’t you? I moved away, went completely cold Turkey and started my life again. I’m the happiest I have ever been, and I have my own business but the most important thing is I have my family again. And I haven’t told them a lie in 5 years. I can look at myself in the mirror now. I wouldn’t even be tempted to go back again. Thank you for sharing Justin ❤
Justin, thank you for giving a Damn about your fans.
Seeing this on the day when I’m tired of drinking and just don’t want to do it anymore. I’m seeing it as a sign!
Hope things go well for you!!
I know what you mean. I drink only on a Saturday now and even then I'm over that as well.
It happens when you start getting sick of feeling suicidally depressed. My whole family was alcoholic.
You can do it bro!!!! And the gains are enormous!!!
Thank you Justin. A lovely comments day as usual 😊. I know smoking isn't quite the same as drugs or alcohol, but can be just as hard to quit. I started and stopped at least 5 times for 13 years. The last time seems to be sticking and it will be 2 years smoke free in 2 days.
Justin you mad bastard. I have to admit I've become rather fond of this channel. You've blown me away as a proper student of rock and music generally so I went to Spotify and decided to give the darkness a second chance. Now, I listen to the songs and they're still so ridiculously over the top I start to smile instantly but listen closely, just beyond the mirth and by God you guys can rock. Great music, great podcast/channel, great person. Thanks and keep going
Funny how a band called The Darkness can brighten your day
I'm going through treatment at the moment, it's a long dark road and you have to be at the bottom of the darkest deepest pit before beginning a new path to recovery, thanks for being open about discussing your life Justin you are amazing to listen to.
Hang in there Vikki, keep coming back, one day at a time 😊
@@gerarddesmondegan1787 thanks 😊
Best of luck on your journey. Hope you end up in a good place like Justin.
Vikki you've found your tribe!
I love that you are willing to answer such a difficult question as one dealing with addiction. Thank you.
Beautiful. I’ve never personally dealt with it but I’ve lost loved ones to it. It’s sad to see that what you think someone’s rock bottom is, they will go so much lower just to prove you wrong.
Many years ago, I lost my friends, home, car, respect for myself and was in debt by a long way. It was my personal rock bottom, when I hit 7 stone and was told I would be dead in 6 months if I didn't stop. My father was the only person that stood by me I was 17 years old! Everyone has their own story and their own bottom... its sad to think that we have to get to that point to be able to control ourselves (that's the way I see it). I now have 3 children and am happily single with my life under my own control, and I'm healthy and in recovery... I will always be in recovery x
Sorry to hear about your losses.
It's a disease. Environmental factors do play a big role but the difference between someone with substance abuse issues and someone with the disease/illness is their ability or inability to reason and stop when things change, intervention ect. For someone entrenched in the illness, it takes a shocking amount of effort on their part to change and doing it alone is harder still. It is up to them though. I'm losing one of my best friends to drug abuse and Ive just had to walk away as topically he is the same person he has always been but the harsh reality of the disease is at the end of the day, I'm just another person to be exploited for resources.
@@Wildatheart81ridesagain Cheers Faye.
@David_FC I am sorry you are having to go through this, I cannot imagine the pain I put my friends and family through all those years ago and what you are going through now. It cannot be easy to walk away But you are not in the wrong by doing so.
I've been free from it for 24 years, I count myself as very lucky, I not only had support but was able to re organise I had a problem.
@@Wildatheart81ridesagain You are a champion, never forget that. Thank you for your kindness.
I stopped drinking nearly 7 years ago. I would be long gone if I hadn't. Thanks for the video Justin
“There are songs that can make you shiver whilst the people who wrote them make your skin crawl”. Golden!
Sounds very Alice Cooper, lol
I didn't "sort of" have a problem with addiction. It was a full on, real, fucked up, trip to rock bottom where I crashed and burned for several years. And then it hit me, I was done with it, enough was enough. A moment of clarity of thought was enough for me to start my journey into recovery. Don't get me wrong, stopping drinking was incredibly difficult, but once I realised I'd been beaten by it, and I could never win against it, I knew that I could get sober. And that was 8th November 2008, and I've not had a drink since, one day at a time.
My story is the same. Awesome bro, let’s keep it going 👍👍
Well explained! My date is 5th November 2008. I keep my recovery first to make it last - ODAAT 😊
Question #1 - Damn. I am a recent follower and up until now, I've never heard you speak to something in such a serious way. You're usually very light-hearted about things. Respect.
Honest transparency. Thank you Justin.
Justin, thank you for your honesty in answering the question of addiction. I appreciate you very much. I’m struggling right now and you help me. It made me smile that you said I might be better at fishing and tennis, as I spent 18 years playing the sport. A throwaway line in your video, but it just shows that words matter.
Thank you for talking about the subject. Having been in the music industry for 40 years I've lost quite a few friends.
I love the continuity that your pick is still stuck in your guitar.
Love your work my friend! You are such a relatable soul, it is easy to see why you are so popular with we fans!
Some really poignant and touching responses. Appreciate your honesty and mindfulness, I had a family member go through addiction so I appreciate you’re saying something often has to give. Congrats on your sixteen years of sobriety and can’t wait for the next uk tour!
the Algorithm tonight decided I should discover your videos, so I did the usual rabbit hole thing with your videos. It took me a while to associate you with the person I knew from the Darkness, but it's great to see that that person with great energy and charisma is still so likeable, perhaps wiser, and has not lost a bit of the star power. Just media have changed and we're now on the Tube. And so good luck and thank you mighty Algorithm!
Congratulations on 16 1/2 years! What a difficult question for you to select to answer. Thank you for addressing it. Addiction sucks.
nice on Justin...your perspective on these subjects is most welcome and refreshing 😊
You introduced me to Ren a couple of months ago, and I just wanted to thank you. Thank you, thank you!!!!!
Same here mate😮
Loving your transparency Justin. Thank you. 10 years sober here but have sadly lost so many beautiful friends to alcoholism and addiction along the way. We truly are the lucky ones.
I thought the title was "If You Don't Stop. I Will Kill You." at first. Scared me for a minute. LOL
I was brought here by an applebees commercial playing a Darkness song! I am glad that you're doing well, I will subscribe
You totally win the internet. Look forward to every cast. Thanks Justin. Great show today
Thank you Justin. As a survivor of rock bottom, thanks for talking about these things.
Good day to you Justin. I miss my usual rendez vous now that it is not daily.🤘
coming out of addiction and into recovery is tough - in a rehab environment, where you're all sharing and connecting, it seems relatively easy for the time you're in there. The problems begin upon 'release' when you go back to the same environment where you hit your rock bottom - like a 'happy' moment, it recedes with time. The solution is CHANGE. Everything - that in itself is hard - really hard. That could be relationships, home, job and friends - that have all contributed to the toxic state you inevitably found yourself in. But as you said Justin, the realisation that you will die if you don't is the only incentive. Recovery HAS to be done one day at a time - especially at first, putting recovery first. And recovery is, to me, connection, honesty and a whole bunch of 'doing the right thing' values by action, (not words) - eventually, the sun begins to poke through - depression will recede, life does become meaningful and thought the whole process, you find YOU, your identity, what it is that makes you tick. Find that, find you, practise doing the right thing in everything, being of service to others and EVERYTHING falls into place. Thanks for this.
The first thing with any addiction is to realise you need help . . . then and only then you will be able to help yourself and get the help you need
Well said 👏🏼
Absolutely. Thank you.
The last thing ppl with addictions need are clichés.
Thanks for always addressing addiction from the heart. You words are indeed very wise. If you’re struggling with the idea you may be an addict please talk to someone and get yourself to a meeting. Unfortunately the only way out is through and only you hold the key to your sobriety.
Q FOR COMMENTS DAY: Justin, you mentioned, in a previous video, 3 Darkness songs you hate and shouldn't have been released. Two of the songs mentioned were on Hot Cakes, "With A Woman" and "Everybody Have A Good Time". Are you aware these are, by far, the two most streamed songs from Hot Cakes on Spotify? Does this change your mind about the songs? Whoever convinced you to add them, did they see something you didn't? Love the channel 🤘
Good question. It’s always interesting when the public’s opinion differs from an artist’s.
Love comments day 🥰 (and also that nice jacket)😉
Hair on point - check, jacket on point - check, top comments day episode - check. Thanks Jussie as always. x
Justin you are such an inspirational young man. Thank you personally for all you have done for me....your music,your personality,style,wit and common sense as got me through so much in life ❤
Bought your Shrimps yesterday….
26 years sober. It’s amazing. To all of you trying…keep trying. You got this. If not this time..start again.
Yes I have seen family member hit what I think is rock bottom when, out of theatre for simple procedure, found out we were asked to provide permission for DNACPR (Do Not Resuscitate or give CPR) to be given, when they were under anaesthetic, as they were too unwell to cope with procedure, so it was cancelled. I think that one hit home and hopefully, they are slowly making a recovery from it all, one day at a time. We all truly hope so. Well done on your 16 1/2 years of sobriety. I hope life is not just more memorable now, but spending it with those you love too. Btw, I love your hair at the moment. Hugs to all 💖
Change is not an event.. it's a process.. onwards and upwards ❤
Dear Justin...I love your honesty and your jacket...
Yep. Going on 6 years sober. Never going back. Life is grand!
1st question... I love you, man. You 100% said it right on the money. Here's to ya, now!
I've been in the bedrock a few times and honestly still have a toe in there. I'm 44 and I know there is light for me. You have to keep moving forward even though everyday feels the same. Focus on the people you love, Focus on the things you love doing.
Thanks for another insightful Comments Day. Looking forward to your long-form podcast!
I lost my older brother to alcohol when he was 47 ....im glad you survived
Are you ever going to do a compilation album with comparable artists? Do you ever wish to perform with any particular artist? Lzzy Hale has said she's got you on her list and that would be amazing
So sorry we missed yinz last year in Pittsburgh ! Saw the video & was glad to see that we weren't asses to you. Please come back! Much ❤️!
Great insight regarding addiction 👏 Thanks for sharing
The scary thing about cancel culture is that people are (on the whole) being increasingly careful about what they say, and yet the punishments continue to get more severe. Every time the artist or the individual capitulates, the cancellers must look for increasingly minor offences to punish.
Well said mate it's an ongoing battle. Over seven years for me and three months no cigarettes
Q for the next Question Day.
Was just watching a short by Stewart Copeland, and he was asked which was his most technically challenging Police song to drum to. He replied with Spirits in the Material World, started playing it and lost time. So, my question is the same, but with Darkness songs, and are there any you or other band members just refuse to play live?
Someone I worked with used to say that most people don't change without some sort of traumatic experience causing it. Whether it is addiction or another behavioral problem, I've found that to be true.
16 years sober. Congratulations. Alcohol sucks if you can't control it. I think it's important to fill your life with meaningful things like gardening. Getting out in nature hiking. Helping people and being a decent human being. If you are trying to quit alcohol I suggest just smoking cannabis if you can do it. A lot of my friends quit doing drugs because of cannabis. Many stop smoking cigarettes because of cannabis. Personally I think it's a Blessed Sacrament and it kept me off the hard dope and alcohol.
Personally I think you look better without the mustache. Godbless
“If you don’t stop playing with that, it’ll drop off!” - Me dear old mum…
Great work on turning this channel into what it is Justin! Loving every second of it, almost since day one.
Q, not necessarily for comments day but still something I'd be very interested in: Totally looking forward to the Euro gigs in November. Are you planning on adding any more dates or should I just go ahead and decide on one of the ones already confirmed (since I'd obviously be travelling anyway)?
I hit rock bottom in 1986 of a fruit machine addiction. It wasn't a huge addiction but I came to realise that when I put most of my weeks wages into a fruit machine over a 9 hour period just to be £20 up at the end of it was enough for me to stay away from fruit machines ever again. Now I need to stay away from alcohol BEFORE I reach rock bottom.
Hi Justin, to continue the question about not using sheet music, if you come up with something great how do you make sure you don't forget it? I've often come up with nice things playing live or noodling on the guitar, and can never find them again afterwards
Record it, even on voice notes.
Im struggling with addiction in my life and today was a dark day. This video’s really helped.
Love this channel and how open and straightforward you are. Thank you for creating this content for us. I have a suggestion for a future analysis - Cobra Man, who describe themselves as L.A. Power Disco - I’m sure you’ll find it interesting!
Hey Justin, first question and answer were gold. I never did drugs, but I had too much alcohol. And I still think, I was lucky. Phew, long time ago ...
And, hell yeah, "Ungarische Bartwichse" is the BEST 😎
Cheers and take care, Justin!
You are always in recovery, every day.
Your life will not be magically better, just less shit. Eventually you reach a semblance of normal, that is when it easiest to fall back in.
Never drink alcohol all my life, but wish you guys all the best whoever struggle with addiction
I drink alcohol but i am not an adict to it. Most of people start to drink as a part of the social relationships, and in some places there are a culture around it.
I remember when i was teenager (i am now 46), the most of my friends started to drink and smoke cigarretes and drugs. I didn't like smoking, this is something that i've really never done, and in that time drinking neither. I remember to receive a lot of press from friends as well i didn't do any of these things, in the sense "you're boring... or it happens nothing for try".
In my opinion the adiction has a deepest explanation, i mean that sometimes there are troubles or reasons hid in the back of the adiction...i mean it is a consecuence of somerhing.
I’m so mad I missed out on this tour especially as it was the 20th anniversary, hopefully see you sometime in the future
I’d love to hear more on that comment towards the end of the last question, about the “personal experience” of someone playing a song he wrote. You can’t stop there man, c’mon! Details, please?
My Hummingbird is a humble Epiphone, black in color, but it cheers me that yours is stationed in relation to you, just where mine is to me. unmistakable pick guard shape. All the best from Bama, Justin.
EIC and MH were great, but Pinewood Smile is still my favorite. I've made new TD fans of people by gifting them copies of that album. It's a powerhouse of an LP.👍
Been there
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thxs for riding again Justin
AZ
ODAAT - 2 and a half years - keep up the good work JH xx
Justin Fucking Hawkins Rides Againnnnnn!!! 🎶🎶🎵😎
Good day to you Mondragon
@@alessandrogiacomini6853 Good day to you Alessandro ✌🏽
As far, we are the few names recurring in every episode. Long life to the darkness🤘
Good day mates!!!🤘
@@Rocksarum hey there🤘
Hello Mr. Hawkins! Question for you… Knockers is my absolute favorite Darkness song and I was recently watching some live performances of it. How difficult is it for you to go from a piano solo straight into a slide guitar solo?? Your musicianship knows no bounds, truly!
I think some bands may re-record older songs because production quality has vastly improved over the last 40 years. Testament and Anthrax, both did this and I loved the songs even more with better production.
A neat example of the re-recording thing is James Taylor with "Carolina in my mind". Most people don't realize they're listening to a re-recording of the song and have never heard the original. It was a minor hit for him in 1968 but it got tied up in the Apple fiasco when the Beatles broke up, so he couldn't release it for his greatest hits album in 1976. So he re-recorded that song and another one "Something in the way she moves" all over again. Actually the remakes are much better anyway to be honest.
I didn't know that. The versions I have, and love, are the re-recordings, then.
I had a huge problem with alcohol, and cocaine. Think about it all the time, but you have to prioritize. For me was my wife (girlfriend at the time) as a new years resolution. 7 years sober, and a 5 year old daughter later, I'm humbled.
As an addict myself, hearing the phrase "sort of an addict" is denial of the seriousness of addiction...
If it's not you personally with the addiction, there's really nothing you can do to help an addict out of it (until they come to the realization and decide for themselves to quit and commit to it)... but often people who live with or around people suffering have some issues to sort out as well...
If you are the addict, far too often rock bottom is that light bulb moment when you realize "I can't continue to live this way, if I want to stay alive"... some people see the light and even more sadly, some don't get the chance (or don't want) to see the light... that's a very difficult subject for me and too many people in this world to come to terms with
It is up to the addict but I feel there are so many things society does and the person living with the addict, that make it so much harder for the addict to begin and stay with recovery. It wasnt due to my issues but my complete ignorance of alcoholism. I didnt know I was an enabler, I thought pouring out the hidden bottles was a good thing. Thankfully the deal with the rehab was we both had to do the program in seperate streams. The experts understand that it is not just the addict that needs skills to deal with addictions. As a community we can create an environment that doesnt hinder the recovery eg someone throwing beer at Justin at a concert and his response to the possible consquences, bless the wonderful man. None of it saved my husband as he said he had chosen a short life without it because it was less scary than living a long life without it. I hope I provide the right support to my friends who reach out to me eg like not to giving advice or opinions and leaving it to the experts. That, in itself can be enough to make a difference.
As someone who was on the wrong end of a drunken father you need to have a very good word with yourself as soon as possible.
At 58 I am still not over it.
But my liver is better than his.
And even posting this is scary.
Rock bottom for me wasn't becoming homeless. After years in dept, becoming homeless was actually the most liberating feeling ever. I had all the stuff for hiking, a bicycle, some money. It wasn't sleeping the freezing cold woods that was rock bottom. It was going back to my own country, being directed by rules to go to the homeless shelter. I had to hand in every sharp object that I used for survival. When I stored all that stuff at a friends place, that was rock bottom. When I discovered my friends decided to go through the box full of depts, despite pressuring them not to open that damn box. I've never felt so disarmed and stripped from reputation, argumentation, basicly all power I had left. The first night sleeping above a very smelly fellow companion. Like a pup being dragged through his own puddle to unlearn it to pee inside home. That was rock bottom.
Don't worry I'm fine now, I have a new home where I can grow old, I'm in dept restructuring, and after that is done, I'm going back to work eventually. But, you know, it had to come a long way.
Hi Justin, I was wondering what bumps up your music more. Is it streams or when people buy physical copies of the album?
Foreigner re-recorded most of their hits with the newer lineup. Lou Gramm will always be the man, but it was really interesting to listen to the old songs re-recorded with Kelly Hansen. He's a great singer, and they stayed really faithful to the originals. I'm pretty sure Mick Jones owned most writing credits on the originals, so I don't think they did it to circumvent paying Lou Gramm or others, I think it was done mainly to promote their live touring, like, "hey, we still sound like foreigner! Come see us at the nearest county fair or Indian Casino!"
Yes, I had to hit what I considered rock bottom first before I made the change. Been sober since 2006.
I wonder if Robert Fripp composes with sheet music
Good morning from New England..My bottom was in 2009 when I woke after a night of debauchery covered in urine and Crap that had dried a few hrs after I had voided myself..Now other than medical weed for spine issues I've been sober for 13 yrs ✌️🤘👍
I've seen people talk about Frank Zappers sheet music, especially with percussion and one guy mentioning how complicated and complex it was, drummers find it hard to replicate some of his music because it's so complex. He had an ear for the subtle notes, that made the percussion so complex. Not many...if any bands can capture what Frank wrote down, to some it's like rocket science lol. So he definitely took writing sheet music very seriously and the band couldn't waver from that, thus he always had the best of the best in his band. Absolute genius in what he did.
Vinnie played the black book of notes eating with 1 hand during the audition.
Sober 20 years, I think we all have our “opportunities” to change, we just don’t all get lucky enough to notice them before it’s too late. If I’m honest I still have moments when I long for the old days and have to fight the urge, but I look at friends and family who didn’t get off that path and that motivates me. PTL actually features heavily in the three years afterwards where I pretended to be a “normal” person before accepting myself and becoming one. It’s some of the first music in my adult life that I don’t associate with my assholery.
Please include Madrid in your future tour! I’ll take my friends and family with me😅😃 so they can see you live! 🎉 we need to have that chance! We adored you guys!
Hi Justin, I love the channel and in particular the in depth knowledge you give of the business side of music as an artist. One thing that has always fascinated me are royalties. For example if another band did a tour and they wanted to cover a Darkness song at those shows, would they pay per show, or a set fee, would it also need all of your band members approval?
Is it november yet? Can't wait to see you in Amsterdam! Question; is there any specific city or venue you've never performed at, but would love to play? Cheers!
Hi Justin, if you could meet Freddie Mercury, what would you do (hug him to thank him for his existence, for example) or say to him?
Great question! I also wonder what would I do if I could ever meet one of my idols... Probably I'd get petrified or experience some kind of Stendahl syndrome🤣🤣🤣. Then, if I got to recover myself, I would thank them for all of their music as it helped (and still helps) me so much to get through everyday 🫶
I've always thought that cancelling an artist is very unfair on the other people involved, very few artists work alone and often the main artist isn't the main creator.
Hey Juzzy…. My nan rang and asked if I’d seen her spectacles. I told her you were here for a visit… so…. You know😎
Love ya work and up the Darkness🤘🎸
Ps…A one way ticket to hell and back bro… been there too man. 38 years sober… and I’m so glad you never succumbed fully to all that faff too man.
I'm an opiate addict, IV user as well, I've been clean for 3 years, and 8 months. Rock bottom is also subjective to each person. Like, i've been robbed at gun point, even had cotton fever, but those weren't my rock bottom. Trying to shoot up Fentanyl in an abandon water park, and then again outside of a gas station with a friend trying to tie off with my seat belt, that was rock bottom for me. I could see myself from like 3rd person basically, and it all sank in. My dad died knowing I was a junkie, and a thief, I had lost everything other than my disability check that came in once a month.
Either that night, or the night after I flushed the rest, and had my sister drive me to the VA where I got into rehab, and got with the best psychiatrist i've ever had. After that I had to pick what style of recovery was best, and I think a lot of people get frustrated in this part because in America they shove AA/NA down your throat without telling you there are many options available. Like, Smart Recovery, or Sober Grid. I leaned on the science though. My psychiatrist helped me understand what habits I had created, the REASON why I leaned on them so much, and how to try and curb them.
The problem though is I know that when I get stressed out drugs DID work, only for like 5 minutes lol, but they did work. If they didn't we wouldn't get addicted lol. So I have to find ways to deal with stress, anger, sadness, joy even without going back to the dangerous thing that did work, but was also going to kill me. If you are beginning to think that you might have a problem I would suggest learning as much as you can about addiction, bad habits, coping skills for stress, anxiety, sadness, whatever might be your reasoning for using. Also check into AA/NA if you are into that sort of thing. They aren't bad, but they aren't the only way to get sober.
Good luck to anybody starting the journey with recovery. It's a road you walk alone technically, but there are a lot of us along the same path.
Nice one man
Best wishes
Hey Justin question for the next comments day - I recently watched an info graph tracking the sales of music formats over the years. From vinyl to cassette to cd and now streaming. At the end end it dawned on me we are heading into a generation that wont own physical music. As someone that still buys vinyl and cds whats your thoughts on this?
Only time I’ve ever not listened to a “cancelled” artist was Marilyn Mansion.
Some great questions this time. I know someone who gave up drinking wine, and noticed significant benefits like lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure and weight loss. Definite positive outcomes. She also said Gary Glitter was fantastic in concert, back in the day. Finally Mike Oldfield re-recorded Tubular Bells in 2003 to overcome some of the issues he had back in the 1970's technology. In my opinion it sounded great, but lost some of the interesting quirks.
Just heard your song in a commercial! 🤘🏻
If you struggle with addiction, however badly you may have behaved, don't disrespect yourself, be kind to yourself. Yes, shame will help you decide to prioritize recovery, but you need to accept that you have a disease and that it is not your fault. Some people try drinking or try drugs and do not get hooked, but you unfortunately have a condition that makes you an addict. It is part genetics, part trauma-based, part circumstantial, and you are a victim. But the great part is, when you start taking responsibility for dealing with your disease with the aim of getting sober, you are not a victim anymore: you are a real champion. You can overcome a terrible condition and be victorious. Seek whatever help you can find and get involved in what works for you.
I am 4 1/2 years sober from drugs and alcohol, after more than 20 years of boozing, sniffing, popping, smoking. You can do it.