The Darkness' Justin Hawkins on guitar solos, still hitting the high notes, 'Dreams on Toast,' more

The Darkness' Justin Hawkins on guitar solos, still hitting the high notes, 'Dreams on Toast,' more

Author: brooklynvegan June 22, 2026 Duration: 27:09
This week we've got an interview with The Darkness' Justin Hawkins that is just now making its podcast debut, but was actually recorded in early 2025 as The Darkness were getting ready to release their eighth album, Dreams on Toast. We discussed guitar solos, how he can still hit all those notes two decades on, his Justin Hawkins Rides Again YouTube channel, and more.   -- Credits: Hosted & produced by Bill Pearis Mixed and mastered by Nick Gray Theme music by Michael Silverstein Darkness photo by Simon Emmett

For anyone who feels music is more than just background noise, BV Interviews: A Podcast About Music offers a space to dig deeper. This podcast emerges from the long-running music blog and online record store BrooklynVegan, channeling that same curated passion into audio form. Each episode is a conversation built on genuine enthusiasm, whether it's an intimate interview with a songwriter discussing their craft, an exploration of a musical movement's history, or a discussion about the currents shaping today's sounds. You'll hear about everything from the raw energy of punk and metal to the nuanced storytelling of folk and the innovative beats of hip hop, always with a focus on the artists and stories behind the music. It’s for listeners who crave context and connection, who want to understand not just what an artist makes, but why they make it. The tone is informed and engaging, like a discussion between friends who happen to know a lot about music. Tune in for thoughtful dialogues that go beyond the typical press cycle, offering a richer appreciation for the music you already love and a reliable guide to discovering something new. This is a podcast dedicated to the endless discovery and discussion that music inspires, straight from the people who live and breathe it every day.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

BV Interviews: A (mostly) Music Podcast From BrooklynVegan
Podcast Episodes
Cardinals: Ireland's Best New Band? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:38
This week we're talking to Euan Manning of Irish band Cardinals who just released their terrific debut album Masquerade. We talk about the band's unique sound, which hinges on his brother Finn's accordion playing, and ma…
Heavenly's Amelia Fletcher & Rob Pursey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:06
This week we're talking to indiepop legends Amelia Fletcher and Rob Pursey whose bands include Talulah Gosh, Marine Research and Heavenly who this month will release their first album in over 30 years. It's titled Highwa…
The Cribs talk 'Selling a Vibe', brotherly love & more [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:41
This week we're talking to Ryan and Gary Jarman, two thirds of long-running Wakefield, UK sibling trio The Cribs. They just released Selling a Vibe, their terrific ninth album and first in five years, which they made in…
Sleaford Mods' Jason Williamson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:12
This week we're talking to Jason Williamson, head shouter for UK duo Sleaford Mods. The band just released their 13th album, The Demise of Planet X and we talk about making that one and the large cast of guests involved,…
Flogging Molly's Dave King Opens Up About Near-Fatal Brain Injury [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:36
Flogging Molly leader Dave King opens up for the first time about the traumatic brain injury that he suffered earlier this year that doctors say nearly ended his life. He was told by doctors as he was leaving the hospita…
New Podcast Alert! BV Weekly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:47
Have you subscribed to BV Weekly yet? BrooklynVegan now has two podcasts! There's this one, BV Interviews (formerly known as The BrooklynVegan Show), as well as BV Weekly, a recently launched podcast in which BV founder…