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ROCK ON! This Week's Sound Bites...4/12/18

By Danny Coleman

originally published: 04/13/2018

“Some places stay the same and some others we like to swap out a bit; ya know? We like to try some new places and test the waters and see if there’s an appetite for our particular brand of offerings," says bassist Frankie Poullain of long time rock band The Darkness as he discussed their upcoming area shows in Philadelphia and New Jersey and their current, "Tour de Prance." “It’s pretty self-explanatory isn’t it? We like to prance around and we’re on tour so it fell into place very easily. The simple idea is the best, the most economical simple idea that actually captures every aspect of what we’re doing is the one that is the best; we’re pleased with it. It just captures exactly what we’re doing and almost precisely what we’re doing because there’s something very English about a bunch of men prancing around in tights; isn’t there? (Laughs).”

Formed in 2000 in Lowestoft, Suffolk UK, The Darkness have had tremendous success over the years, first with their debut album, "Permission to Land" going quadruple platinum and shortly thereafter winning three, "Brit Awards" for, "Best British Group," "Best British Rock Act" and "Best British Album" in 2004. The irony in this success is that the band name is somewhat brooding, yet their sound is far from it. “In some ways it was an ironic reflection of where rock was at that time, just lots of guys in black tee shirts and jeans in an, “Emo-esque” style." said Poullain. "In some ways it was that but there was also the idea that from the darkness comes light and that in a sense we’re all kind of cast adrift into the darkness; that’s where creativity all comes from really. Contradictions, we are also quite contrary in the way we approach rock ‘n’ roll, that’s where we are coming from really. For example, we’re mistaken as a joke band but really, most of our songs are actually very heartfelt but they’re just presented in a, they’re garnished or wrapped in a fun kind of way. We enjoy just presenting it like that but really the songs are actually heartfelt.”

The band's writing process sounds more like a stand-off or perhaps a meeting of rival minds rather than a                      collaboration but they seem to revel in the experience. “ We go away for songwriting sessions; we go away for these week long trips just the four of us, usually on the coast. A place with no distractions and then we write all together. We used to have the, “Table of Truth” we would all be around the table and we called it the Table of Truth because we’d    all sit around it and bring our ideas into there. Now we sometimes have a microphone in the middle of the room and    we circle around it almost like beasts of prey."                                                                                                                                

When told that it sounds comparable to lions at a kill; Poullain chuckled and said, "Funny you said, “Kill,” because the Kill is actually the idea, the thing that kind of inspires the song, that original idea or original vibe. We are always butting heads; the bands that butt heads are the ones that keep going and keep coming up with the strong material. You have to do that, you have to break eggs to make an omelet. If we all agreed with each other and we were just robots, that wouldn’t really work; you know? It’s the combination that makes it special and of course the most important element is Justin (Vocalist/guitarist Hawkins) and his vibe and his sense of humor and his energy which is kind of quite high powered and spontaneous and kind of exciting.”

With a sound that's anything but dark, the band has launched a tour of the united States and beyond. April 18 sees them in Philadelphia, PA at The Trocadero Theater with opening act Diarrhea Planet and then on April 21 at Sayreville's own Starland Ballroom. Poullain says that the tour has just kicked off but is going well, “We're just a couple of gigs in, the first night was festival, it was L.A. at the Henry Fonda Theater which is always tough after a long flight. Then we really got into the swing of things at the next show in Las Vegas, we did a great show in Vegas and I think now we are all ready and feeling good. It’s a continuation of the, “Tour de Prance” that we had in Europe and the UK at the end of last year so we’re picking up where we left off.”

 

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The image of rock musicians, "Prancing" brings to mind another certain rock act from the UK, one with an immensely talented front man who plays the flute. “Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull that harkens back to Robin Hood; doesn’t it? Men in tights and that’s a pretty English thing isn’t it?  Actually, back at home in my living room I have a Jethro Tull print upon my wall. Also, Ian played flute on a track of ours called, “Cannonball,” it was a bonus track that we put on our album, “Hot Cakes.” You can find it on Spotify or iTunes and it’s got a minute and a half flute solo and it’s a beautiful piece of music. We didn’t actually meet him, we sent him the track and he put so many different moods in the solo. He takes it right down, he starts off jaunty and he’s rockin’ out and then he takes it right down and goes into a pastoral light of fancy; he really is a brilliant musician.”

 After this leg of the journey is done, the band will start logging frequent flyer miles as they continue to hit the road in support of their recent release, "Pinewood Smile," “The tour finishes off with a festival in Mexico after the last United States gig, we’re playing a metal festival in Mexico City and that’s going to be pretty intense.Then we are back to the UK and then we’re supporting the Hollywood Vampires for about 11 gigs across Europe and then we’re in all of the festivals across Europe and the UK until the end of September. We are also doing a couple of gigs with Queen as well.”

The Darkness shows are considered high energy and Poullain says that will be the case once again,“Expect rock ‘n’ roll delivered with tons of euphoria, spontaneity and reverence but that’s just words; ya know? Reality is far more exciting than words, that’s why music exists. Expect a very English; quintessentially an English take on hard rock.”

To discover more about The Darkness and their, "Tour de Prance," please visit www.thedarknesslive.com. 

That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON! 

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This week's event listings

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Alchemist & Barrister  
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton  
(609) 924-5555  
Thurs. "Pasta and Sinatra Night"  
Wed. 10 p.m. (TBA)  
 

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Arts Council of Princeton  
102 Witherspoon Street Princeton  
(609) 924-8777  
Please check web page for upcoming events  
   

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Bill's Olde Tavern  
2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton  
(609) 586-0192  
Thurs. 9 p.m. Trivia  
Ages 21+  
 

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Blend Bar & Bistro  
911 Highway 33 Hamilton  
(609) 245-8887  
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia  Jam  
Wed. 7 p.m. Karaoke 
 

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Bowman's Tavern  
1600 River Road New Hope, PA  
(215) 862-2972  
Thurs. 6:30 p.m.Glenn McClelland Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan  
Sat. 7 p.m. Patrick & Debra
Sun. (12 p.m.) Brunch w/ Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott  
Tues. 6 p.m. Ed Wilson
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
 

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Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room  
19 E. Union Street Burlington  
(609) 733-356  
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Byrd
Sat. 9 p.m. XXII

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Bung's Tavern  
2031 Route 130 South Burlington  
(609) 499-1355  
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Karaoke 
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic

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Byrne Café Deli
117 Ward Street Hightstown
(609) 443-1777
Sat. 11 a.m. Kim & John

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Candlelight Lounge  
24 Passaic Street Trenton  
(609) 695-9612  
Sat. 3 p.m. (TBA) $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)  
Tues. 6 p.m. "Tuesday Jazz Jam" Open Session feat. James Stewart / Tom Littwin Trios. $5 (Lite appetizers)

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Championship Bar
931 Chambers street Trenton
(609) 396-5457
Fri. 7 p.m. IATT, ExoVoid, Open The Nile, MikHail. All Ages, $10
Sun. 12 p.m. "Champsiversary" w/ Josh Adair, Jess Stanley, Nikki Nailbomb, Heather Ransome. 
Mon. 6 p.m. The Convalescence, Midnite hellion, Symetria, (TBA). All ages, $12

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Chickie's & Pete's  
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown  
(609) 298-9182  
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night  
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia  
 

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City Streets  
510 Highway 130 South East Windsor  
(609) 426-9400  
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays"   
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie & Chelsea  
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval  

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COARadio.com  
125 South Main Street Hightstown  
(609) 241-7103  
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Kings Level 1

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Diamond's of Hamilton  
661 Route 33 Hamilton  
(609) 981-7900  
Thurs. 6 p.m. "Ladies Night" and Dance Party w/ Frankie "O"
Fri. 9 p.m. "Back In The Day 80's Dance Party" w/ DJ Anthony Bradley
Sat. 9 p.m. Jessica DiDonato
Sun. 12 p.m. "Jazz Brunch" feat. (TBA)
Wed. 7 p.m. "Dine and Dance" w/ Radio Personality Bob Pantano.   
 

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Dog & Bull Brew House  
810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.  
(215) 788-2855  
Thurs. 8 p.m. Joe Robinson
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Funky Friday Happy Hour" (9 p.m.) Mia Johnson
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Jake Bracey
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Jazz Brunch" feat. Mikey Ragz

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Frans Pub 
116 South Main Street New Hope, PA 
(215) 862-5539 
Fri. 8 p.m. Kim Yarson Band

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Freddies Tavern  
12 Railroad Avenue Ewing  
(609) 882-0978  
Thurs. 8 p.m. DJ Bobby Diamonds
Fri. 8 p.m. The Zone
Sat. 8 p.m. Downright Down
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala  

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Grover's Mill Coffee House  
Princeton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction  
(609) 716-8771  
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker  
 

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Havana New Hope  
105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.  
(215) 862-9897 
Fri. (8:30 p.m.) Bigg Romeo (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party  
Sat. (8:30 p.m.) Se7en Band (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party 
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke  
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music Showcase" Hosted by Pat Foran feat. Larry Saklad, Lance Fingles
 

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Hopewell Theater  
5 South Greenwood Avenue Hopewell  
(609) 466-1964  
Check web page for upcoming events  

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Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn  
15 East Broad Street Hopewell  
(609) 466-9889  
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night  
 

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Hopewell Valley Vineyards  
46 Yard Avenue Pennington  
(609) 737-4465  
Thurs. 6 p.m. Connor Choi
Fri. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. Pocketful of Soul
Sat. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. The Lifters
Sun. 2 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Darla & Rich

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Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill  
7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA  
(267) 914-4517  
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul Kircher  
Fri. (6 p.m.) Casey (9 p.m.) Venom Blues
Sat. 9 p.m. Pixie Twist
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula & Sam  
 

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Iron Plow Vineyards  
26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus  
(732) 306-9111  
Fri. 6 p.m. The Williamsboy
Sat. 1 p.m. Victor Tarassov
Sun. 2 p.m. Jerry Steele

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Ivy Tavern  
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton  
(609) 888-1435  
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Karaoke  
Fri. 9 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
Tues. 7 p.m. "Teddy Z Memorial Jam"
All shows 21+  
 

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Jake's Eatery  
869 Bustleton Pike Richboro, PA  
(215) 322-6787  
Thurs. 7:30 p.m. "Ladies Night" w/ Julian Roso
Sat. 9 p.m. Ed McGrath
Sun. 7:30 p.m. Open Mic
Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia Night  
 

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John & Peter's  
96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.  
(215) 862-5981  
Thurs. 9 p.m. Alpha Rabbit, When Particles Collide
Fri. 9 p.m. Kalaedi
Sat. (3 p.m.) Lonely At The Top (9:30 p.m.) Red Rover Burlesque
Sun. (3 p.m.) Jamie Salvatore (9:30 p.m.) Trio Of Madness
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic.  
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational  
All shows 21+ 

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Killarney's Publick House  
1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton 
(609) 586-1166 
Thurs. 9 p.m. DJ Byrd 
Sat. 9 p.m. Out Of The Red

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Kovacs Corner
46 Evergreen Road New Egypt
(609) 901-4146
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Audio Pilot
 

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Laurita Winery  
85 Archertown Road New Egypt  
(609) 752-0200  
Thurs. 7 p.m. "Laurita Idol 2018 Spring Singing Showcase" Adult Tryouts
Sat. (10:30 a.m.) VinoVinymassa w/ Mettamade (1 p.m.) Lefty, the Mann of 1,000 Songs 
Sun. (11 a.m.) Pound and Pour! (1 p.m.) The Half Brothers
Wed. 6 p.m. Girls Night Out "Plant Nite GNO"

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Logan Inn  
10 West Ferry Street New Hope, PA  
(215) 862-2300  
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Sahara Moon
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Jager Saprano
Sun. 11 am "Jazz Brunch" feat. Zeke Stambovsky

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Longford Landscape and Garden Center
947 Kuser Road Hamilton
(609) 890-9940
Sat. 5 p.m. "Food and Cheer for Police Unity" feat. Radio Fiction
 

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Mamma Rosa's  
572 Klockner Road Hamilton  
(609) 588-5454  
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider  
 

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McGuinn's Place  
1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence  
(609) 392-0599  
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Domino/Domino
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke  
Ages 21+  
 

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McStews Irish Sports Pub  
5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA  
(215) 949-9570  
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim  
Fri. 10 p.m. "Ladies Night" 
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Mindless Hope, Ketosis, Lovey, Sharkbullet. $5
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike  
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Kirchner Entertainment  
 

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Millhill Basement  
300 S. Broad Street Trenton  
(609) 989-1600  
Thurs. 9 p.m. AM Nice, Erotic Novels, Ramona, The Mighty John Caseys. Ages 21+, $8
Fri. 9 p.m. When Particles Collide, Alpha Rabbit, Mr Payday. $6
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase 
 

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Mojito Cuba Caribe  
90 South Main Street New Hope, PA 
(267) 740-2900   
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Chris  
 

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New Hope Winery  
6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA  
(215) 794-2331  
Sat. 8 p.m. "Yellow Brick Road" Elton John Tribute. Doors at 7 p.m., $30

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Nook's PourHouse  
2043 Route 130 South Florence  
(609) 447-0927  
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics  
 

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Nottingham Tavern  
9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square  
(609) 587-6623  
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Super Dave  
Fri. 7 p.m. Joe Zook & Paul Plumeri
Sat. 9 p.m. Asylum Choir
Wed. 5 p.m. "Weekend Warm-up" w/ DJ Chris Barlow  
Ages 21+  

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Old Town Pub  
135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown  
(609) 291-9232  
Sat. 9 p.m. Radio Fiction
 

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Palermo's Of Hamilton  
310 Klockner Road Hamilton  
(609) 838-7979  
Thurs. 8 p.m. Karaoke 
All shows 21 +  
 

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Patriots Crossing  
1339 River Road Titusville  
(609) 737-2780  
Fri. 8 p.m. Kevin Toft & the Alternators
Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo"
 

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Parx Casino (360 Bar)  
2999 Street Road Bensalem, PA  
(888) 588-7299  
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Latin Night"
Fri. (5 p.m.) Lincoln Highway Blues (9:30 p.m.) GoodMan Fiske (10 p.m.) DJ Quite Frankly
Sat. (5 p.m.) The Zings (9:30 p.m.) Stellar Mojo (10 p.m.) DJ Capps
Sun. 3 p.m. "Showcase Sunday"
Wed. 8 p.m. GI Jokes

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Pete's Steak House  
523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton  
(609) 585-8008  
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Papa D'Lux
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Ernie White & Lisa Bouchelle
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke  
 

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Randy Now's Man Cave 
134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown  
(609) 424-3766  
Fri. 8 p.m. Brother JT/Mr Unloved. $10
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Palmayra Delran/The Primitive Finks. $15

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Rossi's Bar & Grill  
2110 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton  
(609) 890-2004  
Thurs. 7 p.m. (TBA)
 

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Salt Creek Grille  
1 Rockingham Row Princeton  
(609) 419-4200  
Fri. 8 p.m. LaDee Streeter
Sat. 8 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
 

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Small World Coffee  
14 Witherspoon Street Princeton  
(609) 924-4377 x2  
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Adam Sterr

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1867 Sanctuary  
101 Scotch Road Ewing  
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 8 p.m. Jazz Vocalist Doris Spears. $20
Sun. 7:30 p.m. "Contemporary Music of Patrick Bamburak" w/ Chris Kudela, Conor Peacock and the Reunion of Funhaus. $20
Wed. 8 p.m. "Bach to Today" w/ Aaron Larget-Caplan. $20

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Tara's Tavern 
1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown  
(609) 286-2300  
Fri. 10 p.m. El Ka Bong
Sat. 10 p.m. Ted Hammock & The Pickles
 

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Tavern On The Lake  
101 Main Street Hightstown  
(609) 426-9345  
Fri. 9 p.m. Smoke & Mirrors
Sat. 9 p.m. Hybrid
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night  
 

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Temperance House  
5 South State Street Newtown, PA  
(215) 944-8050  
Thurs. 7 p.m. Blues Open Mic Hosted by Steve Guyger  
Fri. 7 p.m. Anders Hyatt
Sat. 7 p.m. Christopher Dean
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo w/ Righteous Jolly  
Wed. 7 p.m. Jazz w/ John Sheridan  

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The Cool Cricket  
216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro  
(609) 291-9110  
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke  
Sat. 9 p.m. Einstein Bridge

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The Dubliner
34 North Main Street New Hope, PA
(215) 693-1816
Fri. 8 p.m. Na Bodach
Sat. 8 p.m. Glenn McCollum  

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The HOB Tavern  
146 Second Street Bordentown  
(609) 291-7020  
Fri. 9 p.m. Sir Xerri
Tues 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night  
Wed. 8 p.m. Mike & Joe (Radio Fiction) 
 

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The Ivy Inn  
248 Nassau Street Princeton  
(609) 921-8555  
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron  
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Rockin' Ron
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Darius the 1st
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv  
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron  
 

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The Pines Tavern  
6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA  
(215) 788-1659  
Sun. 3 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Bill Monach Jr.  
 

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The Raven  
385 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA  
(215) 862-2081  
Thurs. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (10 p.m.) All Male Revue  
Fri. (9 p.m.) Michael Ferreri (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party  
Sat. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party 
Sun. 7 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ms Betty Cox
Mon. 9:30 p.m. "Lipstick Monday" Drag Show
Tues. 8 p.m. "Bearlesque"
Wed. 7 p.m. Bob Egan
 

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The Record Collector  
358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown  
(609) 324-0880  
Sat. 8 p.m. Soraia/Tomato Dodgers. All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance)

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The Roost  
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge  
(609) 208-0050  
Sat. 9 p.m. ArHouse 

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The Sticky Wicket  
2465 South Broad Street Hamilton  
(609) 439-0007  
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Throwback Thursday" w/ DJ Chillio  
Fri. 9 p.m. Deep Release
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke  
 

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The Cure Insurance Center  
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton  
(609) 656-3200  
Check website for upcoming events  
 

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The Sycamore Grill  
255 North Sycamore Street Newtown, PA  
(215) 908-6326  
Thurs. 8 p.m. Steve Tesluk
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Rotondo Band and Monique
Sat. 8 p.m. Dorsea
 

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Tir Na Nog  
1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton  
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Pat Seiler & Mike DQ
Sat. 9 p.m. "Easter Rising Song & Story" Diarmuid & Kevin
Sun. 3 p.m. "Irish Sessions" w/ Diarmuid MacSuibhne
Wed. 9 p.m. "Billy Briggs Scholarship Fundraiser/Open Mic" Hosted by Paul Wiese 
All shows  21+  
 

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Trenton Buzz  
702 Pine Street Trenton  
(609) 392-6000  
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.  
Sat. 10 p.m. "Buzzed Saturdays" w/ Bockman  

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Trenton Social  
449 South Broad Street Trenton  
(609) 989-7777  
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny P  
 

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Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)  
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.  
(215) 862-8300  
Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia  
Fri. 10 p.m. Cycles. $5 (cover charge)  
Sat. 10 p.m. The Get Right Band. $5 (cover charge)  
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night. (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)   
All shows 21+  
 

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Triumph Brewing Company (Princeton Location) 
138 Nassau Street Princeton 
(609) 924-7855 
Fri. 10 p.m. The Get Right Band
Sat. 10 p.m.Times Like These
 

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Wildflowers Inn  
2572 Pennington Road Pennington  
(609) 773-2392  
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock Night  
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia 

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Working Dog Winery  
610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown  
(609) 371-6000  
Sat. 1 p.m. The Williamsboy

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Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled “Rock On Radio” airing Sunday evenings at 7:000pm EST on multiple internet radio outlets where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.

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