In the early noughties, it felt like the fun was missing from rock’n’roll. The airwaves were ruled by bands specialising in the earnest, from posturing indie dudes to gloomy emo kids staring out from under heavy fringes.
Then in 2003 The Darkness somersaulted into the charts and into the nation’s hearts; a spangly, spandex-wearing burst of joy that harked back to the heydays of 70s rock and glam while somehow sounding like a breath of fresh air.
