If you were looking up at the sky at all on Friday night, you may have seen a spaceship land right on top of Stubb’s BBQ.  At least you wouldn’t be crazy for thinking that, after seeing Justin Hawkins, lead singer of The Darkness, wrapped from head-to-toe in a skin-tight American flag.  I mean, I’m pretty sure these guys are descendent from some sort of alien race living on Planet Party.

Though, for as much as this show was a true rager, it almost didn’t happen.  Split apart by addiction, the fate of The Darkness appeared pretty dire up until March 15^th, 2011.  With all of the original members together again, it was decided upon to set out on a worldwide reunion tour.  Ambition was never something you could say these guys lacked.

I would be a liar to say that I was going to the show as a devoted fan that knew all the words to their songs.  And, let’s be honest, for me this show was never really about the music.  But, once “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us” started, my ears knew they were in for a rock-and-roll treat.  If you thought you were coming to see The Glitter Band then you were wrong.  When your lowest charting single, “Get Your Hands off My Woman” becomes a sing-along, and even your tame songs inspire people to wag their tongues while shaking their head at the skies, you know you’re treating fans to a different kind of show. 

Of course you knew they had to save the best for last.  By the time folks were ready to start screaming “Encore!” they had resigned themselves to having their first real Texas summer sweat.  Booze-fueled, and with a slick sheen of perspiration, my fellow revelers were ready to shout about love.  Such a novel concept to ponder when a man in tight clothing is thrusting his flag hips in your direction and screaming at the top of his lungs.  But, to say he made me believe in it would be an understatement.

Try as I might on my best night of karaoke, there is no way I can grasp the vocal heights that Justin Hawkins throws out on a whim.  All of the “woos!” and “ahhs!” were punctuated by (in my opinion) some pretty awesome dance moves.  In fact, once I ventured out into the main crowd, I’m not certain I stopped moving until the very end of the show.

And, as quickly as they were here, they were gone.  The Darkness flew away on their spaceship made of glitter and took most of our rock energy with it.  We’ll welcome them back a few years from now when they are ready to have yet another reunion tour.  But until then, I’ll be training my vocal chords to finally hit those dang soprano notes.

Photo- Tim Griffin/Brooklyn Vegan