WHATEVER happened to The Darkness? There was a time, not that long ago, when the novelty glam-rock nutters seemed unstoppable.

Then, shortly after the release of their brilliantly named follow-up album One way Ticket To Hell… and Back, it all kinda went off the rails.

Maybe our tastes changed or the joke got stale, but the band started to flounder, falsetto-toned frontman Justin Hawkins went into rehab, and then walked the walk (if the rumours are to be believed, in a hail of Spinal Tap-style recriminations).

For a band who dabbled in spoof and satire, it was a case of art imitating life… or the other way round. Or something.

While some of the band (including Richie Edwards and Justin’s brother Dan) came back as Stone Gods, the outrageously-posturing Justin was nowhere to be seen.

Until now.

Yes, if you still hanker for those days of posturing power pop, then it’s your lucky week, because the Freddie Mercury of Lowestoft is back – and as outrageous as ever.

Now fronting an outfit called Hot Leg, above, which boasts Oxfordshire’s very own Sam Stokes formerly of The Thieves and the strutting Vade Mecum on bass, he plays the Oxford O2 Academy on Tuesday, in an explosion of power chords, big hair and eye make-up.

Get ready to mosh! Tickets are £10 from tctmusic.co.uk or by calling 0844 477 2000.