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NEWS |
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27 July 2006 JUSTIN MAKES A SPLASH!
Hawkins is guest presenting the Channel 4 show this week. He was joined by regular hosts Alan Carr and Justin Lee Collins for a day out on the river. The trio tried their hand at various water sports, including wake boarding and banana boating at the Princes Sporting Club in Bedfont, Middlesex. And a bedraggled Hawkins ended up in the drink. Hawkins follows the likes of Mischa Barton and Jade Goody as a guest host. The Friday Night Project is on Channel 4 tomorrow at 10.30pm. |
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24 July 2006 'RALLY TO HELL' VIDEO The Classic Car Club have sent us a video featuring exclusive footage and photos from the New York–Miami 'Rally to Hell' that British Whale's Justin Hawkins took part in with brother Dan of The Darkness. You will need the QuickTime player installed to show it. If you don't have it, you can download it from Apple's website for free. |
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12 July 2006 JUSTIN TO APPEAR ON THE FRIDAY NIGHT PROJECT UK-based fans of British Whale will no doubt be delighted to learn that our very own Justin Hawkins will be appearing alongside Justin Lee Collins and Alan Carr as the guest presenter on Channel 4's The Friday Night Project, on (wait for it!) Friday 28th July at 10:30pm. Visit Applausestore.com to apply for FREE tickets to be in the show audience. Recording takes place on Thursday 27th July at The London Studios (nearest tube/train Waterloo). You have to be there by 5:45pm and doors open at 6:30pm. |
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27 June 2006 PHOTOS FROM THE CLASSIC CAR CLUB RALLY TO HELL |
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14 June 2006 BRITISH WHALE ALBUM: TITLE CONFIRMED Titles that Justin Hawkins had considered for the forthcoming British Whale album included early favourite Würst Case Scenario, then Pretentious, Moi? He has since revealed in an interview with MTV Germany that he intends to call the album Snatching Defeat From The Jaws Of Victory. |
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2 June 2006 JUSTIN ON BRITISH WHALE ALBUM Justin Hawkins has been waxing lyrical about his future plans for his solo project British Whale. Speaking to BBC 6Music about his upcoming solo album the singer said: "It's just gonna be a curiosity item for the fans, it's not something I anticipate being huge, but something that I have to do. I've got all these songs that aren't appropriate for the band so I need to get them out there, some of them have been sitting around since before the first album. It's only for a short time and you'll have another Darkness album at the end of the year." |
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24 May 2006 NEWSFELCH The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins will be appearing alongside Boy George, Martin Freeman and Terry Jones off of Monty Python as a guest on the avuncular Irish broadcasting legend Sir Terry Wogan’s new show on UKtv Gold. Wogan: Now And Then is shown at 7pm on Sunday, 28th May. UKtv Gold can be found on Top Up TV channel 17; Sky Digital channel 109; Telewest channel 124 and NTL channel 31/300. Justin can also be found performing backing vocals on Def Leppard’s cover of The Sweet’s ‘Hell Raiser’ from their new album ‘Yeah!’ which was released on 23th May. According to the All Music Guide's Stephen Thomas Erlewine, “‘Yeah!’ is a sheer delight, a roaring rock & roll record that's their best album since Hysteria.” |
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4 May 2006 JUSTIN APPEARING AT WORLD CUP SOCCER SIX He won't be on the field, as he hung up his playing boots some time ago, but British Whale's Justin Hawkins will be managing the England side in the forthcoming World Cup Soccer Six, pitting his wits against the likes of Aldo Zilli, Sian Lloyd, Roy Walker and John Leslie. He's promising to buy a sheepskin especially. You'll be able to spot him patrolling up and down the touchline barking out tactical instructions and making the odd substitution. The show is live on Sky One on Sunday 14th May from 12PM but we would encourage you to come down and support him leading England out and cheer him on as he beats Kasabian's Italy, Son of Dork's USA and Goldie Lookin Chain's Wales on the way to World Cup glory! Ticket details are www.ticketmaster.co.uk, 0870 4000 884. The charities that benefit are Help a Local Child and Charities Trust so as well as cheering him on to victory they will be doing a great charity deed as well!
He'll be joined on the day by Starsailor, Danny Dyer (The Football Factory), Tamer Hassan (Layer Cake), Dirty Pretty Things, Tony "(Is This the Way to) Amarillo" Christie, Graeme Le Saux (ex-St Paul's, Blackburn Rovers & Chelsea), Matt Le Tissier (ex-Southampton) and many more big names to be announced – 160 celebrities will take part on the day! Dates are as follows:
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28 April 2006 ENGLAND: PRE-ORDER NOW, DOWNLOAD FROM SUNDAY!England, a new song from British Whale, is now available for pre-order, and is on sale from Sunday 30th April: |
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27 April 2006 JUSTIN'S ANTHEM JUST ACE Justin Hawkins seems to have hit the right note with his German-bashing footie anthem. I got hundreds of messages yesterday asking for the cheeky war-themed chant to be made England's official World Cup song instead of the politically correct tune by Embrace. They included: "Great song – miles better than Embrace", "Fantastic anthem – thanx" and "Good on you, Justin. This country is too PC." |
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27 April 2006 JUSTIN MENTIONS THE WARJustin Hawkins is up for a fight – releasing a World Cup song that dares to mention the war. The Darkness frontman is horrified that England's quest for glory is being undermined by political correctness. He believes there is a conspiracy of silence with the official anthem ignoring our 1945 victory for fear of offending the hosts. So he has written his own song, called England, with a chorus based on the tune of the German national anthem. Justin told me: "The whole point of an England World Cup song is to assert our national identity and talk about the achievements of a great nation. Why can't we commemorate all those men who gave their lives in the name of freedom in the war? And, of course, in this case — to bash The Hun? It's a national sport." England will be his second single as a solo artist under the name British Whale. The lyrics include Justin singing: "We fought them on the beaches now we'll play them on the field. Once again the world will surely yield." Justin said: "I've based the chorus, which is just the word England, on the German national anthem. I might write a World Cup song every four years and base it on the anthem of the home country." Justin dedicated the song to the memory of his granddad Ernest Longhurst. He explained: "My grandfather was a London fireman. He worked on a famous fire boat called the Massey Shaw. He was involved in the evacuation from Dunkirk in May 1940. He did three voyages to bring people back." No doubt Justin was a lot happier with The Sun's World Cup anthem competition winner, Who Do You Think You Are Kidding Jurgen Klinsmann? which is based on the Dad's Army theme tune. After all, he's no stupid boy. But what do you think about Justin's controversial stance? Is it OK to indulge in a bit of German-bashing in memory of our victory over the Nazis? Or is it best left alone? Let me know what you think. Download England from www.myspace.com/britishwhale |
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24 April 2006 NEW SINGLE 'ENGLAND' ONLINE NOW Embrace? Tony Christie? Crazy Frog? No thanks! Get your hands on a real English footie anthem. "England", the brand new single from British Whale is a moving hymn to this very England; to the country, it's people - and its football team! Soon to be heard echoing out across terraces the length and breadth of Germany, it will only be available as a download – release date to be confirmed – but fear not, you can listen to it now, at the British Whale Myspace! |
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24 April 2006 JUSTIN ON JONATHAN ROSS & TOP GEAR Two forthcoming British Whale-related televisual appearances for us to inform you of: Justin will be appearing on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on BBC One on April 28th at 10:35pm to talk about The Darkness recent tour of the UK, their new single 'Girlfriend' and some exclusive revelations about his plans for British Whale. Top Gear is back on BBC Two on Sunday, May 7th and our very own Justin Hawkins will be part of the Inaugural Celebrity Challenge, behind the wheel of the new 'reasonably priced car', trying to better the spectacular 1.48 second lap he set in July 2005. To find out what he's capable of, tune in to BBC2 at 8pm on Sunday, May 7th. |
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5 August 2005 BRITISH WHALE IS PROUD TO PRESENT... DAAARRTS! Game On! Ladies and Gentlemen, the marvellous British Whale 'virtual' darts simulation is here. Step up to the oche and beat all-comers and you'll will win a darts board and a set of super "The Hawk" darts and flights. Five lucky runners-up will get a set of flights each. What's more you can watch the video, buy the ringtone and brag to your mates about how well you've done! Remember it's not just speed – the number of darts it takes you to get out, but style – the number of trebles, doubles and bullseyes you get, that influences your score. This terrific darts game features exclusive commentary from Justin himself... That, my friends, is what they call a BULLSEYE! |
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3 August 2005 OFFICIAL BRITISH WHALE RECORDSTORE LAUNCHES The official British Whale shop has just launched at www.BritishWhale Pre-ordering the single now automatically enters you into a competition. The lucky winner will receive a darts board and a set of darts with Justin's "The Hawk" flights, and five runners-up will receive a set of flights. And, if you order all three formats – CD , featuring This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us and b-side America; DVD featuring audio track, the unique Alex Smith -directed video featuring 12x World Darts Champion Phil "The Power" Taylor and Sparks themselves Ron and Russell Mael and an exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary shot by Nick Abrahams (who also cameos as the streaker) and limited-edition clear-vinyl 7" with fold-out poster – you'll get them for a bargain £5.99! Not alone that but unlike other online retailers our shop is UK chart-registered so when you buy from us, you contribute to the lofty chart position that TTABEFBOU will no doubt achieve. And we ship internationally, of course. Right now there's just the single in all it's glory available, but soon – on August 8th, a week up-front of the physical release on August 15th, you'll be able to buy the single digitally , and in the not-too-distant future we hope to be able to bring you some exclusive British Whale merchandise so you can have a whale of a time hawking up your wardrobe. Now, how could you possibly resist a sell like that? That URL again: www.BritishWhale.com/buy and www.recordstore.co.uk/ |
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25 July 2005 JUSTIN APPEARS ON STEVE WRIGHT IN THE AFTERNOON British Whale's Justin Hawkins will be appearing on Steve Wright in the Afternoon on BBC Radio 2 on Friday July 29. |
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11 July 2005 THIS TOWN... VIDEO ONLINE NOW Watch the unique video for This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us featuring special guest appearances from 12x World Darts Champion Phil "The Power" Taylor and Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks and directed by Alex Smith (The Darkness, Coldplay)... now online! |
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11 July 2005 JUSTIN IS TOP GEAR TRACK STAR This week on Top Gear, Jeremy raced a marathon runner across London, Richard took a Transit on a birthday treat and we enjoyed some darkness. Justin Hawkins popped by to tell us about his favourite music, which cars he's owned, and most importantly of all, to pelt it around our track. Which he did in a spectacular 1.48 seconds. Top Gear airs at 8pm on BBC2 on Sundays, as well as periodically on BBC World in half-episode manner and is repeated at 7pm on Tuesdays. |
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5 July 2005 "THIS TOWN AIN'T BIG ENOUGH FOR BOTH OF US" British Whale releases debut single, "This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us", on August 15, through Atlantic Records UK. The single, which is a powerful, organic home studio recording, has had the ultimate seal of approval from Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks, who appreciate the care and craftsmanship that has been lavished upon the arrangement. It also has the thumbs up from World Darts Champion, Phil 'The Power' Taylor, who appears in the hilarious new video along with the Sparks brothers. The album, which is set for release at a date yet to be confirmed, has been performed, recorded and produced entirely by Justin Hawkins. It is music made with no compromises and will slap people on the back of the head with its pure unsullied silliness. Anyone that doesn't like it has a smelly bum. |
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5 July 2005 Justin Hawkins of The Darkness has signed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music that covers his solo work outside of The Darkness. Justin's first solo album which goes by the artist name British Whale and has been the subject of much rumour, has in fact been completed and will be released at a future date yet to be confirmed. The album was recorded, produced and performed entirely by Justin and has been a labour of love some 3 years in the making due to the time needed to break The Darkness worldwide. The first solo single by Justin is a cover of Sparks' 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us' which will be released by Atlantic Records on August 15. More information on Justin's solo work is available at BritishWhale.com. Richard Manners, MD of Warner/Chappell, said: "Justin is a true maverick genius and his solo work is completely inspired. I am delighted to be working with him." Justin commented: "The majority of this solo album was actually recorded prior to Permission To Land by The Darkness. I've been dying to work with Richard Manners who has been brilliantly supportive in my battle to get this stuff released." |
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26 June 2005 PHIL JOINS THE DARTNESS! Phil Taylor is preparing for the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas... by teaming up with rock band The Darkness. The 12-time World Champion flies out to Sin City this week to defend his Desert Classic title. But before then 'The Power' is set to star in a music video with Justin Hawkins and his band [sic]. Taylor hit an unprecedented third nine-dart finish on his way to the Budweiser UK Open title last week. He said: "I never thought I would be in a music video, but it will be fun being a rock star for the day. Justin is a huge darts fan and when he asked me to be involved I jumped at the chance." Hawkins said: "All my time is taken up practising darts now. I've been to support Phil a couple of times and it's become very important – more important than music!" |
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31 May 2005 JUSTIN GETS ONE HUNDRED AND MATEY JUSTIN HAWKINS has become best pals With World Darts champ PHIL "The Power" TAYLOR. THE DARKNESS frontman hit it off with his hero after Phil agreed to give him lessons. Justin is getting in practice as he prepares to bost his new darts show Fame On! He told me: "When I started working on this TV darts competition, Phil invited me round his house for dinner and we get on really well. He's been giving me lessons. He also gave me a set of darts, which he won the World Championship with." And it would appear Phil's tuition has paid off. Justin said: "After Phil's lesson I scored my first ever 180. Now I've Invited him round to mine. But I'm worried because I've got a darts room and it's a shrine to Phil. I've got a full-length poster of him, and the darts he gave me are mounted on the wall so he might think I'm a bit weird. "I've been to two tournaments in the last fortnight supporting him. Darts has now become my life. It's probably as important if not more important than the music." |
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18 May 2005 JUSTIN IS DARTS PRO JUSTIN HAWKINS has been officially recognised as a professional darts player and plans to compete under the name The Hawk. THE DARKNESS frontman has signed up with a company called BW-Darts, who make arrows for all the top players. They've allowed Justin to design his own range of darts and given him honorary pro status. A spokesman told me: "Justin has always considered himself a darts player first and foremost and throws with precision and flair." Justin added: "I've got the sllk shirts and the darts. All I need to do now is work on my game." I told you last week that Justin has been busy working on plans for a new telly darts show called Fame On! with celebs up against famous players, in a knockout contest. Meanwhile, I have some great news for fans of Justin. His record company have agreed to release his solo single – a cover of SPARKS' This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us as soon as possible. I heard a sneaky copy and asked Bizarre fans if the single should come out now or be held back until the second Darkness album comes out in September. You mainly said now – and Atlantic Records have bowed to your demands. The singer joins a roster at BW-Darts which includes oche aces, BOBBY GEORGE and WAYNE MARDLE. Game, and indeed, rock on! |
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4 May 2005 YOU BACK HAWKINS I ASKED you yesterday if JUSTIN HAWKINS should release his debut solo single before the second DARKNESS album – and your response is a resounding YES. You just can't wait to hear Justin's cover of SPARKS' 1974 hit This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us. I've had a sneak preview and reckon it's genius. But I wondered if it could spoil fans' appetite for The Darkness's CD, due in September. Your texts and e-mails caught the mood. Natalie Bourne said: "If anything, it will boost The Darkness to an even more popular level." Stuart Lee reckoned: "The more exposure, the better." Jayne Syms said: "Justin is incredible and nobody has the right to hold him back." |
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3 May 2005 SOLO JUSTIN: YOU DECIDE LAST week I told you JUSTIN HAWKINS was working on a solo project. Now I've heard a leaked copy of the debut single from THE DARKNESS singer – a cover of the 1974 No2 by SPARKS, This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us. Without exaggeration, I can say Justin's track Is one of the most Incredible pieces of music I've ever heard. It's so brilliantly overthe-top that it made me giggle all the way through. He has turned the song into an epic, with screaming vocals, massive guitar riffs and soaring synths. Justin recorded every part himself at his London home. It's a genius piece of work and will be a worldwide hit. I hear moves are afoot to rush the single out. But I'm concerned it might detract from his band's second album – due for release around September. So it's over to you. E-mail or text me to say if you think Justin should release the single now or whether it's wrong to push his solo material before The Darkness album is out? I'll pass on all your comments to Justin and his record company. |
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27 April 2005 JUSTIN'S SHOCKING NEW MUSICAL DIRECTIONS Justin from The Darkness has phoned in to tell us that his first solo album is ready for release. He wrote most of it before the band's first album and is a bit miffed the record company have been sitting on it – now he'll have to wait until The Darkness' second album's in shops before it sees the light of day. He says it's a very different sound – even his brother likes it: "Dan approves of it, he really likes some of the stuff on it. Some of it's arranged in more of a motown style and there's lots of different approaches, toying with some bluegrass and reggae, things like that." "I'm just climbing right up my own arse. I haven't had an opportunity to do that for some time now, so it's really fun." ©2005 BBC | Back to top ^^ |
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27 April 2005 JUST HIM HAWKINS NOW
DARKNESS frontman JUSTIN HAWKINS is going to release a solo album. But have no fear, Darklings – there is no chance of the band splitting. Justin, right, has been writing and recording solo material for some time. This year, during breaks from making the new Darkness album, he has managed to finish off the project at his home studio in North London. The leotard-loving star is calling the LP British Whale – a terrible pun on British Rail. Justin will release it two months after The Darkness's second album comes out in the autumn. He got the full blessing of his bandmates – ED GRAHAM, FRANKIE POULLAIN and his brother DAN – for the solo project. Justin, still sore after cracking a couple of ribs while on holiday in Dubai last week, told me: "It's a lot less rock than the band stuff. There's a lot more synths. I suppose you could call it luxurious rock. I'd written most of it in demo form before The Darkness took off but I've only finished it properly recently. Anything I write with Dan goes to the band but I've held on to my solo stuff." Justin is also planning to play a couple of big solo shows. He added: "I guess Dan will have to be the guitarist. He likes the stuff. But it will be completely different from what people would expect. The first single is a cover of the SPARKS' tune This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us." I told you last week how Justin hurt his ribs and tore a leg muscle after falling out of an inflatable ring that was being towed by a speedboat. He was taking a break from writing and recording The Darkness's album, which has QUEEN'S legendary Bohemian Rhapsody producer ROY THOMAS BAKER at the controls. The disc is nearly finished but the group have yet to choose a name. Justin explained: "At the moment the rest of the band are finishing off the instrumentals. Then I go back into the studio to finish the lead vocals. We've spent three months arguing about the name without getting anywhere. We're still rowing about it." |
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20 April 2005 After JUSTIN HAWKINS came out as a darts fan the sport's bosses have revealed other celebs who love arrows. JOHNNY VEGAS, STEVEN FRY, TRAVIS, PAUL O'GRADY and JOHNNY VAUGHAN all love going on the oche. |
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18 April 2005 THE DARTNESS EXCLUSIVE by SEAN HAMILTON ROCKER Justin Hawkins has devised a celebrity darts show for TV which HE will present. The darts-mad Darkness star came up with the idea while recording the band's second album. Fifteen celebrities will pitch their skills against 15 darts professionals. Singer Justin, 30, said: "It will be called Fame On! – as in the 'game on' shout at the start of every darts match. I'm talking to various darts pros and we'll get it made before the end of the year." Top of Justin's list are Phil "The Power" Taylor and Andy Fordham, Bobby George and "Crafty Cockney" Eric Bristow. Justin added: "It will be a pro-am celebrity tournament. But there will be flashbacks to training sessions where the celebrities get coached by the players – mainly to build up their drinking skills. I'm not sure if the idea will take off and make me a fortune like The Weakest Link – but at least we'll like it... and maybe the Dutch. Bullseye was a massive hit so I reckon this will be huge." Justin is so obsessed by darts he has a room dedicated to the game in his London home. He added: "I've got a darts shrine – a professional board, mat, an electronic counter and various bits of memorabilia. My favourite thing Is a fulllength poster of my hero – Phil Taylor. I'm also a big supporter of the campaign to get darts recognised as a real sport." |
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British Whale frontman Justin Hawkins swapped his catsuit for a wetsuit for his appearance on 
