This Is Why Musicians Hate Performing On TV!

[@JustinHawkinsRidesAgain]

I'm still doing my Patreon - you can see more personal intimate stuff over there if you fancy it: www.patreon.com/jushawk

[@shuni2525]

Very talented and one hell of a voice plus I love watching these videos, I find you very interesting and super intelligent 👍

[@shuni2525]

Also keep up the good work. You're an amazing person and I love listening to you 😀

[@ericjondahl9418]

Dallas TX Granada Theatre coming up in April.

[@LEON5KI]

On 3rd December 2021, as a Christmas present, my stepson took me to the Manchester Academy to watch The Darkness. Shortly after arriving in this great city, we got lost and stumbled around its streets, breathing in the moist, Seattle-like precipitation until we found, and joined, a very long queue on Oxford Road. After a short while, I grew suspicious of, or should I say the lack thereof; leather, body piercings, hair, vintage 80's synthesizer tattoos and the essence of petunia. After the couple in front of us started to discuss the Damnation of Faust, I realised that we were in the queue for the students' union bar! Thankfully, the queue for The Darkness concert was a mere 'Mudslide' away. After a scan of my COLON, sorry, COVID pass, along with a body cavity search reminiscent of, John F. Kennedy airport's, I entered what can only be described as a, German, John Thompson, film set. An eye opening experience to be sure. What followed was a four-hour descent into a rambunctious riff-round of rapacious-rabid-rabbled rock! I managed to survive the half-time drunken mosh pit, barely, but not the end of night, rugby-scrum-search for the band's discarded guitar plectrums. Exhausted, battered and bruised, I left the venue. The long drive home played havoc with my haemorrhoids and I suffered with high frequency loss in my left ear for several days after the concert. I cannot wait for the next tour! If rock and roll deserves to die then this band is deserving of its resurrection! Ignore the naysayers. I thank you all, sincerely, for one of the best nights of my life. Leonski.

[@rbuckers26]

im looking into the songwriting/guitar level patrion...but it says to message you before we join this tier? whats the best way of messaging you?

[@kevinlocke6120]

Justin maybe there's an opportunity for someone such as yourself to put together a show that showcases live bands on TV. You'd make a great host! The Darkness could open the show each week and you could choose the bands.

[@cyberbird8683]

Insanely good idea, fuck yeah

[@lukaskole2995]

That would would pretty badass tbh!

[@matthewtracey5829]

Oh please!

[@MrMusiclive123]

Great idea ! Allow up and coming bands to play and get their name out there !

[@Hadite84]

Marc Bolan did this in the 70's

[@loz1991]

I remember watching the music awards live just to see you guys perform. I was such a big fan as a kid I lost my shit when you won!

[@queenie43951]

I actually mentioned to Brian May on his letters page that Freddie would have loved The Darkness and their performance at end of the Brits and he replied to me! The ultimate outcome of the Brits finale is that I have a signed photo of Justin on the high podium, guitar in the air, which all the band signed to me at Nottingham Arena on OWT tour. Great memories.

[@loz1991]

@@queenie43951 that's amazing fair play. I can definitely imagine Freddie being a big fan or appreciating what they did. There will never be another band like The Darkness and thats why I love them.

[@bellend69]

I still remember watching The Darkness on Jools Holland in late June 2003. I went out the next day and bought "Permission to Land" on CD. Amazing performance, you blew everyone else away that night and the the rest of the studio audience loved it as well. Rocking out with a Les Paul standing on top of the piano in full spandex. Does it get any better?

[@phnigra1313]

This is my new favorite channel!! And I love that you post so often.. Cheers Justin 🥂

[@glengamble526]

At 5:35 I think Cobain was channeling Morrisey 😂

[@tomarthur564]

The show in San Diego was fantastic. The band was in great form. See them on this tour!!!!!

[@Cfolger]

I'm seeing them on Saturday here in Az

[@tomarthur564]

@@Cfolger You will have a great time. The sound was fantastic, The whole band is so tight.

[@eightequalsequalsdee]

It was amazing! They kill it!

[@stuartcarden1371]

I have nothing to say but I know youtube likes "engagement" so here I am engaging to help the channel out.

[@Vinylfiend60]

Hey Justin I had the priviledge of seeing you and The Darkness perform at HOB Las Vegas last night. Wow what a great show! You guys sounded amazing! The opening act The Dead Deads were really good also. Well wishes to you and the band. Have a great tour!

[@babyshambler]

I remember Ricky Gervais on his XFM show absolutely loving your Jools Holland set. Called you the "best band in Britain" too. Great days.

[@marianlech3378]

This is by far my favourite take of yours of the intro tune, Sir. Love it! Appreciate your work and your sharing here. Many thanks. M.

[@Harambes_Homeboy]

Great show last night Justin, very impressive headstand 🤸‍♀️

[@michaelscarborough5726]

Can't wait !!!!!!!! I'm seeing you live this Wednesday. In sanfransico at the regency.

[@fmpentertainmentmedley3338]

I absolutely LOVE The Darkness to death!!! And Justin has an amazing voice please make more albums Justin!!!!

[@ericsandberg6137]

They crank them out pretty steadily. Do you have them all?

[@fmpentertainmentmedley3338]

@@ericsandberg6137 i will have them all soon :)

[@richnegs5828]

Artists expression of interest in the moment is brilliant. That’s what art is. That’s why they are an artist. We need that level of spontaneity, unpredictability and fun in life. No one got hurt in these moments and they gave us moments to remember that are 99% of the time positive. Love it.

[@colinquirke4256]

I saw you in Cork last month. A friend dragged me along. I'm converted! You guys rocked. Great night, and so great to have live music again

[@paulodobay]

Nice t-shirt!

[@NathanEMilos]

If you wanted another example, love the PIL refusal to mime on Top of the Pops too.

[@superdrwholock]

My favourite show is the great pottery throwdown and I never thought it’d be something I’m into but it’s great, love how creative they get with their ceramic creations

[@jsmith6602]

Hey Justin thanks for all the content. Would you consider doing a video on Pixies? Such a fantastic band and quite interested to hear your thoughts on them and their incredible back catalogue what with Black Francis’ eery vocals and Santiago’s unorthodox playing style. Cheers

[@luisbertola]

Muy buena remera, Justin!

[@blissfullycat02]

I remember reading about Queen throwing a fit at Top of the Pops for having to mime and really played up that performance in return. Nirvana was hilarious though, they were told only the vocals could be live so they made it real obvious that that was all that was. Kurt singing so low (yet somehow still good), Dave playing all big and on his cymbals only like some animatronic drummer from a Chuck E Cheese in the 80s and Krist just whipping his bass all over lol

[@andydefur8827]

Ive read that Kurt was doing an impression of Morrisey. And these type things are definately Magical.

[@benkidd4954]

And still managed to sound better than morrissey ever has despite taking the piss

[@simoncooper2994]

True - I saw them play in Birmingham the day after the TOTP recording and Krist told the audience how Kurt was doing a Morrissey impression.

[@martye462]

Love the channel Justin. Talking of performing live I stumbled across "Rock 'til we Drop" on TV the other day and loved it, see you're on it this week too!

[@ZachKTS]

Saw you at the HOB in Las Vegas last night. Great show!

[@chadchadsonyt7813]

Every time you upload no matter what I’m doing i stop everything and rush to watch it, keep doing these epic videos🤟.

[@theonlyredspecial]

Get a room !

[@biblical_dreams]

Such an entertaining personality and perspective, happily subscribed

[@guillermodelnoche]

I’d love to see you interview singers. Anyone from Seal to Harry Styles or anyone you fancy. Cheers to you and your channel!

[@dirkardostevergreen4827]

Nirvana’s tv performance of Territorial Pissings is also quite glorious

[@niksta007a]

Johnathan Ross holding a finger to is ear as feedback continues from the Kurt's dropped guitar and says "Nirvana there, doing the tune there that we didn't actually expect, but they asked me to tell you they are are available for children's birthday parties and bar mitzvahs" fucking classic

[@drexlspivey5828]

@@niksta007a Apparently afterwards Ross was genuinely angry about it, which seems quite strange as he doesn't seem like someone who's easy to piss off

[@danthompson2568]

Thank you for doing it Bro!!!!

[@LUFC123]

Someone regretting going on Ant and Dec's Saturday night takeaway ?

[@MrGriffinTalks]

Love the use of the HST quote! I once worked for a few well known publications as a “freelance” journalist, so I’ve seen this exact quote in action. I remember being assigned to interview Silverchair in 2004 , Daniel didn’t want to be there, he was suffering, sick and not mentally or physically prepared or engaged . He was being dragged around the world to support the pockets of the label and unfortunately his band mates and friends. That moment is what made me quit that shit.

[@scootaymildo1070]

Vines were great live. Fortunate to get to see them at Leeds Festival. Important to note that Craig Nicholls had undiagnosed Asperger's at the time of that performance.

[@user-bj2lu9qt3o]

I just rediscovered them and I'm in love. I had no clue how powerful they could be live.

[@carlwells9504]

Top of the pops has so many moments due to that- two in particular, The Smiths This Charming Man with the swinging of the flowers. And REM Orange Crush with the megaphone 📢

[@chrisbarnett1985]

First time I heard The Darkness was when they were on TV playing Growing On Me. I can’t remember the name of the show but I instantly became a fan

[@simonpark843]

All of these are great - I'd also mention the band Lubricated Goat who sang a song called In The Raw while completely naked on Australian TV in 1988. I thought it was one of the funniest things I'd seen way back then.

[@higgsfield2325]

It is 100% funnier! We've done it a few times now and it always makes us laugh. Always love a good stitch up 🤙❤️

[@zivkovicable]

As a musician who's been asked to mime a few times, for TV, videos & the like. I honestly find it harder than actually playing. It's a bit like trying to look busy when there's nothing to do at work. Harder than actually working sometimes.

[@Palikroked87]

5:24 True! Kurt was actually cursed in a way, no matter how badly he tried to ruin a show or a song it would only make it more awesome and legendary, sort of like a King Midas of music, for example take a look at "Love Buzz Live at reading" that is one beautiful traiwreck of a performance, it is perfect!

[@drexlspivey5828]

I definitely want to see that, 1991 or 1992?

[@Palikroked87]

@@drexlspivey5828 92' Enjoy!

[@drexlspivey5828]

@@Palikroked87 Why did the roadie hand him that guitar on a headline show?! The black strats with no name on the headstocks were reserved exclusively for smashing at the end of the set and probably not tuned to begin with, strange!

[@weareallbeingwatched4602]

Please see "detournement"

[@robertgrover4519]

Rebecca says’ please can you point from your right to left, so your finger hits the corresponding like and bell’ thanks! Great job as always 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@hombrealadoo]

I love that inscription in Spanish on your shirt. "Beauty Excess"

[@RafaCarrillo]

Love the t-shirt, it's a reference to how here in Mexico they started stamping food products with seals similar to that one that says "Exceso de Belleza" ("Excessive beauty" in Spanish), but to say "Exceso de calorías" (Excessive calories) or "Exceso de azúcar" (Excessive sugar) to warn the public about products that might not be so healthy, in order to help decrease our overweight index as a nation. I am a living example of how it has not decreased really, btw. But it's a really cool t-shirt to see on you, Justin

[@kale3086]

Loved your t shirt @Justin Hawkins as @RafaCarrillo said, this is so mexican 🤘🤭

[@martindeth]

Exceso de Belleza, Señor Hawkins.

[@apptutorials2158]

I've always wondered. Thanks, Justin!

[@dcore64]

Thanks for the Hunter quote. Great one.

[@tommytoothpaste]

I still love the fact that you do the music to Grace's and Katie's amazing machines on cbeebies. Makes the program even better! Speedy!!!

[@b2bblitzreplays362]

love your music and videos justin.

[@astrid.r]

Justin is always right. And that t-shirt too!! I wonder where did you get it from......................

[@stef2432]

You guys deserve all the successful moments on tv and out! And a kiss in front from Scarlett Johansson too 👏🏻

[@moonage]

The best Tv mimes are Stiff Little Fingers “Nobodys Heros” on and The Stranglers “No More Hero’s” either take (they did 2 😆) both on TOP.

[@Sonny_McMacsson]

Last Caress/Green Hell was on "The $5.98 E.P. Garage Days Re-Revisited" from 1987. I hadn't though about that in ages.

[@modusceo]

Kurt was apparently trying to mimic Morrissey who he saw as a TOTP darling. Another stroke of genius was their VMA performance where MTV SPECIFICALLY told them they couldn’t play “Rape me”. So right as their set started, he played the opening chords and the MTV coordinator sprinted to the control room to try and shut down the feed, and at the last second Kurt changed the chords to another song and smiled 😂

[@haydenhack]

I remember seeing that performance when it happened too..Classic...I loved them more after that too

[@artysanmobile]

I’ve made a life of mixing music performances for TV and radio. I’m keenly aware of the problems you mention. I have my own mobile and am often producing for the broadcast client so I talk to the artist, hear their concerns. Way more have worked than not but it’s a big challenge, A-game kinda thing. The show must provide services to the artist to make it work. Like pro backline, rehearse & soundcheck schedule, catering; as close as possible to all the things you’d have if it were the artist’s own show. Three scenarios & all of them are multitracked: 1. Broadcast live. 2. A few hours for repairs. 3. Full post back at my mix room. The band’s gotta be killin’ it for a 1 or 2 and I need all the rehearse I can get. 3 is what I’ll do if at all possible and I work with the artist by phone or file sharing. It needs to be said, 45 years in, I still love my work.

[@epoch71]

I was under the impression that the Top Of The Pops miming requirement was a result of Musician's Union rules. Consequently, Nirvana's options were to fully mime, or sing over an instrumental recording. Kurt's butchering of SMTS is exactly what we'd expect from Nirvana. Pure class! Wish he was still here.

[@themighty6]

Yes i believe most were ask to mine, and some bands did not want to , so they just had a laugh

[@johncollins5552]

He was messed up before he was famous, sadly instead of getting professional mental health help he self medicated as those Americans like to say and as usual, that rock cliche rarely ends well.

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

I was told it was because new order made such a fucking mess of blue monday on there they wouldnt do live stuff again

[@klausbremner_autotelic_art]

There's been some great TV show appearances over the years. There was a show here in Australia, called Recovery. It was on Saturday mornings. The Dandy Warhols appeared on an episode and clearly had a big night before. They literally couldn't put a sentence together. John Spencer went absolutely crazy smashing stuff and running around.

[@--_._--_._--]

Can't wait to see you guys next week!

[@henriquetheteach8583]

You bough that t-shirt in Brazil, didn't you??? Lol.. awesome!!!

[@cookmoore3736]

Maiden strikes again-good taste with all the musicians and bands you show. And the Vines!

[@individualmember]

Twenty years ago I worked on the saturday morning pop show CD:UK (ITV, after Ant and Dec, fronted by Cat Deeley) for a few months. It is the only time I've worked in "music tv" and enjoyed it (I went into documentaries after that). Anyway, apart from it being a way to connect with your fans and show yourself to potential new fans, there's some things to consider. That kind of show has to work with set times for when they start, when they finish and when the commercial breaks happen, which makes the person with the stopwatch the most important person on set. The show I worked on was "live" in the sense that what was being broadcast was live from the studio and two of the bands were either miming or live singing to pre-recorded backing tracks at that moment, but two bands were recorded after the show finished (with the audience still there) and played back off tape in the next week's show. So for the live part of the show the only options given to the performer were mime to playback or sing live to prerecorded backing track. For the ones being recorded for next week they also had the option of playing completely live as well and maybe half of them used the opportunity to do so. They also had a chance to do a second take. One of my best memories was Metallica, who did the prerecord thing and they played a version of their song that went on for about seven and a half minutes. Now, they were only ever going to get 4 minutes on the show and it was my job to prepare the recording to go on tv the next week and I spent hours working out how to present it in 4 minutes (the seven and a half minute version does exist, I think it was used another time). Remember that the people working on the show that a performer gets to interact with are being paid really shit wages or they are freelance (like me), so please don't be rude to them and don't make their jobs harder than they already are. My worst "music tv" moment was I was working on a show (I think it featured The Offspring) with a young producer, she was nice and it was going well when the reception at the editing house we were using phoned the edit room to tell us that the Exec was on their way up. That young producer froze. I don't think she strung more than three words together coherently for the rest of the afternoon. That's why I don't work in that genre of tv any more.

[@ERROL007]

I’m just glad you got my email during your show 😀 Been trying to get hold of you for years 😂

[@stuartgray2440]

Kurt was doing a Morrisey impression,I used to do that same one myself..!

[@kingrobthegreat1]

I'll never forget seeing you play Jools back in the day, when you jumped up on his piano 🤟🤟

[@simoncooper2994]

Maybe one reason could be that back in the day it depended on whether a TV producer wanted his show ruined by upstart artists who have a microphone and opportunity to do what they like. TV gold for fans but probably had them tearing their hair out! Two brilliant examples: Check out Nirvana (again) on Jonathan Ross who played a blistering Territorial Pissings instead of Lithium, or Jimi Hendrix on the Lulu show who stopped Hey Joe midway through to play a fantastic Sunshine of Your Love in tribute to Cream. Legendary now but TV people in the moment don't always see the opportunity - these clips probably get more repeat showings than a straight playing of what the band was booked for. 10 points to anybody who can find a proper pop band (as opposed to rock band) rebelling on TV!!!

[@davepowell7168]

Just crawled out of bed for this one and still managed an almost conscious insight of TV opps and limitations... Gripping!

[@krissymarklewis1793]

I got a ticket to TOTPS once,I was surprised how small the studio was, definitely not cut out for live sound. There were Wolfmother, Rooster, Pussycat dolls and Lost Prophets. I got chucked out for kissing Fern Cotton! Blame the Irish pub me and my mate found round the corner!

[@akadan]

Spend years mastering your instrument only to be told people don't want to hear you, the recording is good enough. I think TV producers dont necessarily know what their audience would prefer.

[@brendonwood7595]

TV producers know whats easier to do and less likely to lead to problems.

[@dirkardostevergreen4827]

@@brendonwood7595 as someone who’s worked in live tv, the potential for audio problems always looms large and would be disastrous for a live band broadcast. Usually if it’s live it will be prerecorded for that reason.

[@rob-c.]

It’s still you playing it though - just in the past. Imagine the added costs of set-up and equipment, likelihood of issues (which would make both the tv company and band look bad) etc when including a live performance in a show versus simply playing a recording. If it’s a music show (i.e. TOTP) then sure, but if it’s a single performance as part of a bigger show, I can see multiple upsides to using a pre-recording.

[@mikeg2939]

Many think that the original noncompliant musician on TV was Jim Morrison singing the word 'higher' during a performance of light my fire, after been told not to. But this isn't the case as, several years earlier. Buddy Holly got his knob out during a live TV performance of Peggy Sue.

[@BigFriendlyWarGamer]

Gotta say when you guys were on that TV program that aired last Saturday it looked like you were rolling your eyes at playing "I believe in a thing called love" You guys have nearly 20 years of back catalogue now and they always wanna hear that one

[@nixmoretta13]

Recent observer of your channel, thanks for bringing insight, intellect, and creativity to the often dark digital world. In response to performers on TV, and how musicians, as artists, feel they often cannot be contained by media restrictions, and representations placed upon them by TV executives; subversion rules. (Would love your assessment and critique of Eddie Vedder btw!) Thanks 🙏

[@carmenrimple6375]

I really enjoy your channel, and I love The Darkness. I cannae wait tae see ye in Seattle on the 18th.🙌

[@paulshaw9953]

The Eels, Novacaine For The Soul on TOTP was a fantastic, toy instruments... fantastic

[@nkirk8740]

You've got to do what you feel I suppose? Great channel. 👍👍👍👊✌️.

[@Steven_A_Lomas]

Justin, I believe Kurt sang it lower in a baritone style in direct homage to Morrissey on Top of the Pops with The Smiths.back in the 1980s.

[@matthewmeehan9155]

You guys were the best part of Ant and Dec on Saturday.

[@mattmitchell7934]

I can't get enough of under the bridge on SNL. John high on speed and smack, anthony staring daggers. John going to the outro a verse too soon and screaming 'WOOO' instead of providing the backing vocals. The body language throughout. Starting in normal band formation and ending divided on opposite sides of the stage. Johns 'smack cardigan' * chefs kiss *

[@conanstuart7904]

Enjoying the videos. Also, thanks for the music!

[@zs5948]

JUSTIN WE LOVE YOU! hipass your vocal mic!

[@shauntheron9653]

0:55 Justin, sometimes late at night when I’m all alone, I imagine you gently holding me and whispering this Hunter Thompson quote softly into my waxy ears.

[@Palikroked87]

4:45 ''Load up on drugs and kill your friends'' LMAO that line always gets me!

[@uselessDM]

You should watch the New Order performance for Blue Monday on Top of the Pops were they were definitely playing all live and things get a bit out of sync, but they keep it together somehow. Pretty good facial impressions as well.

[@NZappone53]

Misfit's "Last Caress" is an Island CD song. Fantastic.

[@snakeplissken6649]

I remember back in the early 90's Therapy? appearing live on Irish tv on The Late Late Show. They rehearsed Isolation. Said they were going to play Isolation & promptly played The Knives. This hot them banned from Irish tv for years.

[@MrSpeed-lt8gr]

Loved your guys' performance on Later With Jools Holland. I just love great live performances. Usually a little faster tempo which I love and the guitars always seem to sound a little heavier.

[@8Junio76]

‘Exceso de Belleza’? 🤣 right.

[@JonnyInfinite]

The Maiden one is hilarious as they keep changing instruments

[@karlkoch5515]

Omg... Scarlett looks awesome 😍🙈 Beautiful woman meets wonderful music. What an excellent combination it is.

[@robertgrogan8665]

Im so excited the vines were mentioned.

[@satchice9102]

The earliest example of this I can think of is when The Jimi Hendrix Experience were booked to play their hit, 'Hey Joe', on The Lulu Show. I think Jimi was bored of playing 'Hey Joe' after a minute, so switched to playing 'Sunshine of Your Love' as a tribute to Cream, who had just split up.

[@Skidztheguitarist101]

TOTP had two studios if I remember right, one for miming where only the singer was live “if they wanted to be” and one for full on live performances but I’m unsure if that was an option when Nirvana performed, it allegedly had something to do with the sound in that studio being shite/technical issues.

[@IsaacBenjaminGrey]

Yay the only channel I have the bell on for 🔔

[@TordNilson]

You need to chat about when you guys smashed Jools Holland!! Awesome performance!

[@ianpark1805]

I too remember the Lulu Show where Hendrix cut the Experience’s own song short and launched into a version of ‘Sunshine of Your Love’ as a tribute to the recently split Cream. You could feel the panic behind the cameras with Jimi noting with some amusement, ‘they’re putting us off the air’. Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull commented he was always getting into trouble on TOTP, standing stock still in rehearsals and the performing as manically as usual when the cameras rolled. Thus when they performed ‘Sweet Dream’ (I think) the camera started with a close up of Ian, who however treated us to what seemed an eternity of a shot of his microphone (and nothing else) while he climbed slowly up the microphone stand and emerged with his hair tied in bunches to a nice woolly hat he’d recently purchased in Scotland! It was hilarious and seeing it ‘live’ is one of the few benefits of being really old. Later the Sone Roses expressed some, erm, ‘dissatisfaction’ with BBC and ‘The Late Show’ when volume limiters cut the power to their amps mid song. Also glorious!

[@PhilSmythMusic]

I thought this very thing watching you on the Ant and Dec thing the other day

[@glengamble526]

At 9:00 Don’t performing rights societies (ASCAP, BMI, SOCAN etc.) collect performance royalties for TV usage of music? I’ve always been under the impression they did. At least here in Canada (SOCAN).

[@smelcapo]

Super cool T-shirt!

[@lennon1482]

the damned on michael aspel doing smash it up is brilliant, rat scabies sets the drums on fire at the end, it's from 94 I think

[@patkohler9695]

What I like about this channel is Justin has been in the show, he's seen the circus good and bad.

[@gingerbbm]

I’m still talking about Hendrix on the Lulu show in 1969.

[@queenie43951]

And there was Marc Bolan with Cilla Black

[@stewartmitchell8007]

Pre dating the nirvana totp performance you should check out the pixies, here comes your man and multiple wedding present tomfoolery on the pops. Good fun.

[@stephfrenchi]

Long time vines fan here👋. Can confirm that was definitely there normal vibe 🤣. They where one of my favorite bands to see growing up, true rock and roll, crazy fun times. So sad they don't preform anymore 😭.