Some like it HOT

He might be the personification of the classic axe-wielding rock god – all flowing blonde tresses, stick-thin frame and big trouser bulge. But Justin Hawkins – best known as the outrageously flamboyant frontman with multi-million selling Brit glam merchants The Darkness – takes his rock stardom seriously. Now fronting Hot Leg, he’s just released a comeback album, Red Light Fever, and looks set to pick up where his previous outfit left-off.

Following a blistering set at Dublin’s Village the previous night, the ‘Leg put in a Saturday lunchtime appearance at the recently opened X Music superstore at the Red Cow Retail Centre in Dublin. This fan-packed occasion included a short set followed by a lengthy autograph signing and photo-op session. Despite the band having to immediately rush to catch a ferry back to Blighty we managed to grab hold of Hawkins for a few minutes to talk all things tech. We soon discovered that when it comes to gear and equipment he has one philosophy.
“I keep it simple,” he says catching his breath following his energetic stage theatrics. “For me, it’s just amp and guitar, linked up with a wireless system and I’m sorted. I don’t spend too much time worrying about guitars. I’m probably best known for playing the white Gibson Les Paul, which I truly love, though I have a few Strats that I use from time to time. And I use Cornford amps exclusively. Their entire range is exemplary.”
In fact, Paul Cornford, founder of the Kent-based boutique amp range, is travelling with Hot Leg and is present at X Music to witness his product in action.
“We designed our own rigs simply because we couldn’t find anything we liked,” Cornford explains to Hot Press. “The success of the range has been fantastic – beyond our wildest dreams. It gives me a huge thrill that someone like John Fogarty from Creedence Clearwater Revival uses nothing else these days.”
Hawkins agrees that Cornford are the business when it comes to high-end backline.
“I was with another amp manufacturer for years and it’s quite difficult to move away from something you get used to,” he reflects. “It had to be stunning for me and it has to be spot on in the mid-range. From the first chord I played – I think it was an A chord – through a Cornford, I knew it was the right one for me. We now have a great relationship with Paul and we all use Cornford now.”
Though usually to be seen chugging a Gibson Les Paul, for his X Music performance Justin played a Gibson Flying V – a first for him as he explains.
“The X Music people kindly allowed me to borrow it for the gig. I really enjoyed playing it and I’ll probably go for one sometime.”
Growing up in the small market town of Lowestoft in Suffolk, Hawkins seemed destined to be a rock star.
“I was about 14 when I started playing guitar. I was a big Brian May fan and I liked Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai too. I think my phrasing is somewhere between Brian and Angus Young [AC/DC]. My first guitar was a Charvel which I later had modified. Then I had an Ibanez RG 550 – they’re quite Straty and pointy in styling. But my dream guitar was always a Les Paul – a white one. I don’t remember why I liked them so much, I think Jimmy Page had one. But the main reason I guess is that there was a beautiful one displayed in a music shop window in Lowestoft and I used to drool over it. I never got that particular one – it’s still in the window as far as I know. But I love the Les Pauls, especially the fact that they’re nice and heavy compared to Fenders.”
The Darkness were something of a phenomenon with their debut album, Permission To Land, hitting number one in the UK charts upon its release in July 2003.
“People thought we came from nowhere but we came from Lowestoft which is the same thing,” he laughs. “We spent so long developing our own sound that it seemed like we arrived fully formed. We had one year where it went crazy but the rest was sheer hard work.”
The same year their Christmas single, ‘Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)’ was kept off the number one slot by Gary Jules’ take on ‘Mad World’. How does he feel about the prospect of hearing it every Christmas?
“Bring it on,” he laughs. “Every time I hear it on the radio or see it on TV, I hear the sound of a pound dropping into my PRS box!”
Hot Leg includes Pete ‘Liquid Guitar Hands’ Rinaldi, Samuel S.J. Stokes and Darby Todd. How does he think they compare with The Darkness?
“Oh, I’ve been in lots of bands over the years. So if you’re going to compare it to The Darkness you might as well compare it with all the other bands I’ve been in. They’re the best players I could find and that’s all I wanted. America comes after this UK tour (you’re in Dublin pal!). We’re doing dates at SXSW in Austin and cool places like the Viper Room in LA. We’re the number one download in Spin magazine this month, so it’s looking great for us over there.”
Justin has to go – but there’s time for one final question: any advice for budding guitar heroes?
“Not really. I’m not that fussy about guitars actually. I don’t even change strings that often. I don’t see the point really. I suppose practise is important but I never do that much these days. Pete practises for two hours every day and he shits all over me. So, yeah practice would be it”

Hot Leg’s Red Light Fever is out now