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X-clusive: The Darkness Prepare For Band Aid 20

added 09 November 2004 at 18.01

Justin and Dan Hawkins from The Darkness have been speaking to Xfm about their contribution to the upcoming recording of the new Band Aid 20 charity single (and finally dismissed those damaged finger rumours for once and for all).

With the Sunday November 14 recording date for the new Band Aid 20 version of ‘Do The Know It’s Christmas’ rapidly approaching, Dan and Justin Hawkins from The Darkness spoke to Xfm about how work on the song is progressing.

“It’s similar to the last one, it’s all pretty chaotic,” Dan explained. “Its gonna be thrown together on the day and we’ll see what happens really, like any recording session that any musician has ever done that’s been any good. I think I practised it enough when it came out at the time, when I was about ten, so I’m sure it’s all still in there. We’ll make it sound rocking I think, hopefully."

As for what parts the brothers are going to contribute to the record, frontman Justin explained that he has his eyes on a few choice lines.

“With a bit of luck, a screaming guitar solo and either all of Sting’s parts or Bono’s line,” he answered when asked what he’ll be doing on the day, “Why? Cos those were my favourite
parts from the original recording, which I consider to be a fantastic moment in music, let alone what it achieved on a charitable level. But it’s time to re-create the magic, and perhaps add a little of our own”

As for the much-hyped injury to Justin’s hand, it appears that all the talk of the band cancelling their UK winter arena tour was totally unnecessary.

“What was the last story? He was attacked by a one-eyed dog then got thrown though a church stained glass window?” Dan laughed, “He’s gonna be fine for the arena tour. It looks a bit of a mess but he’s already started playing guitar and we’ve been recording, so its all gonna be fine.

“It’s time to set the record straight,” Justin explained, “I will be playing the guitar and piano and singing on the new tour, there’s nothing wrong with it [his finger]. It's fine. I’m gonna be back to my best in a week or so.”

As previously reported, the Band Aid 20 single will be recorded at Air Studios in North London on Sunday November 14 and hit shops on Monday November 29 on Mercury Records and The Band Aid Trust.

The new full up-to-date list of who will be appearing on the Band Aid 20 record is currently:

• Robbie Williams
• Justin Hawkins (The Darkness)
• Dido
• Chris Martin (Coldplay)
• Jamelia
• Fran Healy (Travis)
• Beverley Knight
• The Sugababes
• Busted
• Keane
• Katie Melua
• Ms Dynamite
• Natasha Bedingfield
• Snow Patrol
• Shaznay Lewis
• Tim Wheeler (Ash)
• Will Young
• Skye (Morcheeba)
• Danny Goffey (Supergrass)

Tagged as The Darkness, archive

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