First Reading, then America - Darkness

Spandex-clad rockers The Darkness tonight vowed to eclipse even the Rolling Stones in their bid for musical world domination.

Speaking as they prepared to go on-stage at the Reading Festival, the lads from Lowestoft predicted that their forthcoming album would held them do the task of conquering America – just as soon as they get down to finishing it.

Front man Justin Hawkins said the band were already “household names” in the US thanks to video sales, but added: “It’s just a case of giving them another album and saying, ’Play this, you Americans’.”

But he joked that, for many, a final conquest of America would not surprise some.

“One of the problems we have found, because of the type of music we play, is that people always think that we are American. I think the reason for that is the absence of a briefcase and bowler hat, so we are looking for a bit of that.”

And in a reference to a past appearance at Wembley Arena to support the Rolling Stones, he joked: “They put us in the toilet on that occasion, which I thought was kind of insulting, but we will do that to them when they support us.”

The band also spoke of their pride at headlining at Reading.

Justin said: “Headlining Reading, it’s the pinnacle, literally. This is our ambition. Me and Ed used to come here and drink lager in a tent and always enjoyed it. It’s always the best festival for us.”

Asked what was special about Reading, he said: “I’m not really sure why it’s so special to us. I think it’s got a magic, a certain mystique. It also has a rock heritage, as opposed to heaving fields and Bedouins.”

In a possible reference to a Sunday school education, Frankie Poullain added: “Us playing Reading is like a camel passing through the eye of a needle.”

The band also revealed details of their film ambitions.

Justin said: “We are in the process of making a behind-the-scenes, fly-on-the-wall – or in-the-ointment – look at how it shouldn’t be done.”

He went on: “You can rest assured that you will see us gracing the silver screen before you know it.”

But in a statement likely to disappoint some fans, they also cast doubt on whether they would be releasing another festive hit for this year’s Christmas chart.

Dan Hawkins said: “I wanted to, but wasn’t allowed.”

The band are leading a packed line-up at the sell-out Reading Festival, which is expected to attract around 55,000 fans each day over the next three days.

Among celebrities spotted walking through the muddy fields was Sadie Frost.

Other top names set to grace the stage include the White Stripes, who are headlining tomorrow night, Franz Ferdinand, and Morrissey, who is continuing his return to the limelight after a well-received appearance at Glastonbury.

While traffic was heady ahead of the festival, compounded by an accident on the M4 motorway this afternoon, fears of weather-related chaos proved unfounded.

However, although the sun made a surprise appearance during the afternoon, the almost-obligatory coating of mud was in evidence early in the day.