More than two decades ago, the clarion call went out: The Darkness are coming to get you!

And boy, did they ever. Looking back at the old photos and fading memories of that night at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) on December 8, 2003, it's hard to believe it's been so long. 

It was at a time when they were being dubbed as the ‘best new band in the country’, a band that injected a much-needed shot of adrenaline into the music scene

However, it was made up of a bunch of Spandex-wearing rockers from… Suffolk? Seems almost mythical now.

The Bournemouth gig, well, it had to be seen to be believed. 

The BIC, packed to the rafters with screaming fans, was rocked to its core. 

This wasn't just a concert; it was an experience. A full-on assault on the senses delivered by a sublime four-piece who seemed to have bottled the raw energy of rock's greatest and most flamboyant. 

Looking back at the pictures, you see Justin Hawkins in all his glory, a potential rock god in the making, strutting across the stage, guitar in hand, a mischievous glint in his eye. 

You see the rest of the band, equally committed to the cause, hammering out those iconic riffs and rhythms.

The band's sound? 

A potent cocktail of influences, a musical Molotov cocktail if you will. They had the power and energy of AC/DC, the swagger of Aerosmith, the twin guitar attack of Thin Lizzy, and a touch of the mystical majesty of Led Zeppelin. 

It was all rolled up into a huge, glorious roller-coaster of sound that left you breathless and wanting more. 

But do you remember the music scene in 2003? 

We were being bombarded with the blandness of Pop Idol culture. Simon Cowell was a household name, and manufactured pop was dominating the airwaves. So, how refreshing, how utterly vital it was to see a band emerge from the shadows, a band that had clearly honed their craft in front of their bedroom mirrors for years, dreaming of rock and roll stardom. 

The Darkness weren't manufactured; they were the real deal. They had the chops, the charisma, and the songs to back it all up.

Looking back at the photos from that Bournemouth gig, the sheer joy on the faces in the crowd is palpable. People weren't just listening to music; they were connecting with it, singing along to every word, losing themselves in the moment. 

The Darkness gave us permission to let loose, to embrace the absurdity, to rock out like there was no tomorrow.

The Darkness came out of the shadows, and for a glorious period, they ruled the airwaves, the stages, and the hearts of rock fans everywhere.