Are You Devastated Justin Hawkins Quit the Darkness?

Published May 17, 2010

The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins has quit the band to recover from drink and drug addictions.

The singer has decided to call it a day following a stint in The Priory rehab clinic in London, reports NME.com.

“I feel bad for the others (in the band),” he told The Sun newspaper. “It will be an upheaval. But it’s time for me to move on. It would be damaging to my recovery to stay on. I’m not blaming the band for my problem – I am an addict. There are people who can be in bands and stay clean, but I’m not one of them.”

Despite his decision to quit, Hawkins said that the band will carry on without him, with bassist Richie Edwards, who replaced former band member Frankie Poullain, taking over the vocal duties.

According to the singer, his addiction to cocaine over the last few years became so bad that he was spending over a £1,000 a week on the drug.
“I feel like I’ve lost three years of my life. I’m only just coming to terms with what has happened because I was always off my face,” he explained. “I became secretive, volatile and verbally abusive, a really unpleasant person to be around.”

Hawkins added that he considered quitting The Darkness last year before the band set off on a world tour, but carried on before entering rehab in August. The singer said he will now concentrate on recording a solo record and writing music for films.

Are You Devastated Justin Hawkins Quit the Darkness?

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