The Rufus Taylor Interview. 

Come and see Rufus and I on tour with The Darkness! Check out all the USA, UK, Europe dates here: www.thedarknesslive.com/tour-dates/

Rufus is such a natural fit for the Darkness. As a drummer myself, what I love is that he has all the technical ability in the world, but if the song needs simple, he plays simple. When he needs to go nuts, he has all the tools you could ever hope for. It’s clear that the personality gels too.

I'm so happy that Rufus Tiger Taylor is part of The Darkness. He has that perfect combination of talent, skill, strong work ethic, intelligence, humbleness, class, physical beauty, and very importantly, fantastic sense of humor that makes him so compatible.

I’ve always felt that Rufus’ gentleness, and emotional intelligence instantly deflates those ignorant accusations of nepotism.

Superb interview- easily the best yet, what a lovely guy, and a testament to Roger Taylor for bringing up such a fine human.

Thank you for having Rufus on and thanks to both of for sharing some bts moments of the Taylor Hawkins tribute shows. Justin you were the amazing vocal “glue” that held the LA show together and Rufus, it was moving to see him up there honoring his friend and mentor. What an emotional, unforgettable (and long) night. Peace to you both. ❤

Rufus Tiger Taylor is wonderful. Huge drummer, great person with a big heart. He is awesome. ❤

Think this is your best interview yet! Loved every single second of it! Ru is awesome! Please bring him back again sometime soon 🙏🏻 Thank you both! 🥰💖🥰💖🥰

It was a joy learning Rufus Tiger Taylor’s background other than the son of a great artist. Rufus you are an amazing force on your own. Delightful, intelligent, and so adorable. I must add a perfect compliment to The Darkness. You amaze and grace the stage. ❤ Justin thank you for sharing Rufus with The Darkness fans. ❤️

Can’t wait to watch this whole thing. Rufus seems like such a nice guy and obviously he is in the best band 😊

I'm sure Roger is very proud of Rufus. Big shoes to fill when your dad was the drummer in Queen. Great interview Justin.

We all knew this podcast would be amazing, but it was BETTER than amazing! Smiled the whole time 🩷

Ru is a gent. I’ve met him (along with the other lads) at Darkness VIP events before their shows. He did his best to make me feel calm with the jokes even though I was so nervous I didn’t know what to say.

The long-form interview videos are my favorite to watch, but this particular interview with Rufus is now the new favorite!! You two are hilarious together. I just want to hang out with you both and shoot the shit! Rufus comes off as so thoughtful, down-to-earth, and really just cool as hell. Hearing both of your stories about the incredible Taylor Hawkins' tribute shows, The Darkness hangouts and song writing, and Roger Taylor's opinions of Nickleback and Sum 41 were a total treat. And Rufus cracked me up with the Rufish - genius! Much love to you both, and see you soon in the US! ❤

Now you HAVE TO have Frankie as a guest!!

Loved your chat! Wishing you both a lot of health and happiness!

This was hilarious, I loved it. A fun banter between two pals that occasionally veers towards a serious interview before crumbling back into shenanigans

Rufus sounds a lovely guy ❤

Thanks for doing this podcast it was a great watch, 2 mates having a laugh but also deeply serious. Rufus is a great drummer and clearly a really decent guy too. I am glad he stayed with The Darkness and I look forward to hearing the next album and the side project when it happens.

Honestly. I’ve been playing drums for 33 years, and my favourite part of the wembley gig was you playing Best of You, Rufus. That drum solo simultaneously blew me away and gave me the chills (in a good way) 🤯 No one else at that show got the Foos jamming like you did, Dave was massively digging it and his expressions were clear evidence, but all the band were grinning massively in that moment- beautiful ❤. My biggest takeaway was not that your style is clearly influenced by Taylor (and this was no surprise given your bond), but Shane Hawkins style is massively influenced by Dave (that kid actually hits harder than Dave - I never thought that possible! On reflection it’s not hugely surprising, but it did surprise me at the time. Thanks for an awesome interview both 🤘🏻

OMG, this is by far one of my favourites. The little stories you two have, just added to the whole interview. Brilliant ❤

Justin and the Blonde Tiger! .... Best interview to date! not just coz it's ''Rufus'' but sometimes its more difficult to interview people who you are very close to.... You both have great chemistry and wicked sense of humour. loved it!

You were both incredible at the Taylor Tribute at Wembley. Trust me you weren’t the only ones crying. Friends with us hadn’t seen the darkness before and they said Justin was by far the most incredible. Felt like a proud parent after all the years of being a fan 😉

Top of MY list--The Darkness, Justin Hawkins, Rufus Taylor, Wonderful interview, lovin' the long format. Thanks for posting.

Love this new episode! Love the channel! Love Rufus and love how Ru and Jus interact 😍

"If you could invent a fabric..." - This had me laughing out loud... Justin you're a long lost Monty Python member!

Total gold! I didn’t want it to end. The rapid fire questions cracked me up!😂

YES!!! RUFUS IS THE BEST OF THE BEST!!! I LOVE YOU RU!!! AND THANKS AGAIN JUSTIN FOR THIS VERY BEAUTIFUL INTERVIEW!!! LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Castle Darkness MUST happen! Please! 🏰 Love Rufus, very modest & not a dick 😆🌟

Thanks for this long overdue interview with Rufus! A true gent and a hell of a drummer. Long live The Darkness!

Love Rufus, such a cool guy & my favourite drummer The Darkness have had. Such a great fit for the band

Love watching the way you two interact with each other. I do feel like there were some inside jokes that went over our heads in there as well.

I need to watch all of this but on the topic of the Taylor Hawkins tribute shows: that was the most epic thing. I got to hear some music I hadn’t heard before AND after the LA show (which I hope we can see some day) I remember my husband asking if Justin was at LA too. Then I had this sudden moment of “if the Darkness are touring I would love to see them”. I booked arena tour tickets after that & it was the most excited I had felt since I booked the sadly cancelled Foo Fighters tickets. I hadn’t paid much attention to the Darkness since I was a kid (with posters on my wall etc) & it has been such a joy catching up on all the music. Can’t wait for the PTL 20 year tour ❤️

Brilliant. So many Taylors and Hawkinsess. My head is spinning.

Wooo can’t wait to watch! You’re both legends and it was such a pleasure to meet you last year before your Melbourne show! Great guys! 👌🏼

I love the way they lean in to calling an Album a song - I think that illustrates Justin's approach to songwriting nicely

Fantastic episode, enjoyed this so much!

Rufus is definitely a phenomenon just like his dad !! I'm so glad I got to see them battle in 2014 in Vancouver.

I really enjoyed this, especially when they talk about the tribute. I still watch it regularly, it's so f***ing awesome. This is one of my favorite episodes, and I laughed a lot. It was contagious.

I'm a drummer too and Rufus looks absolutely amazing on stage with his blond hair! 🤩(Queen are one of my all-time favourite bands- especially Freddie and Roger) ...and Rufus playing is incredible, so much energy!! He does come across as humble, kind, intelligent and somewhat shy perhaps.... I am a BIG fan of The Darkness, and have been for some time.... love them! Great interview too, Justin.

In a way Rufus was there to close and reopen my concert attending life around Covid. Last band I did see before the world closed down had him as drummer. A little known band called The Darkness. Who performed in Amsterdam. The first concerts I did see again since the pandemic broke loose, were solo shows of his father. And it was so good to speak a few words with Rufus after the London show. To tell him that the circle was round by seeing him there.

That Obituary tee just upped the cool points.

This one will go down as an iconic classic! Brilliant, & you guys are f**g hilarious!! Love you both 💜

I have been waiting patiently for this day!!! I love you two!!

Gotta be two of THE COOLEST guys EVER! ❤️ 🎸 🥁

Practically identical to his dad at 32. Very personable young man it seems 👍

I love how Rufus just started interviewing you after a while.... 😉

It's a relief to learn our rock & roll heroes are not d*cks ... in fact, you're absolutely lovely humans! 😄 ♥

I found JHRA few weeks ago and have become a big fan. This was super fun, entertaining and moving. Thanks JH. 👏👏👏👏

Aw what a sweet guy. I can see why Taylor enjoyed having him around. Great drummer as well!

That was some brilliant chemistry right there between two beautiful souls.

Thanks! Castle Darkness would be fun if you could be around each other 24 hours a day. I have lived in a couple, "Band Houses" and those were some of the best times of our lives. When one of you feels creative, it rubs off on the rest of you. Some great songs have been written while living together. Plus, Justin, I don't believe you have written your best album yet.

Rufus is just the sweetest. ❤

your Daughter Comment, about 20 minutes in, killed me! ...i was thinking "these could be MY words", then you paused, and said, "but i was really hoping, ya know..." and I said it with you, " THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN!" , and i died laughing! ... Freaking spot-on! "NICE ONE."

fingers crossed for a return to Australia soon also... i only got to see The Darkness in 2012 and 2022 and plan on seeing every tour from now on because i've been an avid fan since 2003 and want to atone my spotty attendance record for tours of the bands i love. I feel like a lesser fan sometimes because of it, but i'm one of those people who the bands i love mean everything to me.... please come back soon.

I absolutely love these podcasts! So much fun! I thought that Sam Kiszka of Greta Van Fleet would be a good interviewee since they've got a new record out and he would be a great fit for this podcast :) Anyway, big fan here of you and The Darkness! All the best

I sincerely hope this question doesn't come across as intrusive or offensive. It's something I've always wanted to ask a rock musician who has gone from self confessed 'over indulging' to years of sobriety. How weird and nerve racking did it or does it feel being on stage with no added mood changer? Is it harder or better? Is it more fun or less fun? Does it now feel like the norm?

I knew Ru was going to say Don was the best part of coming home from tour. We always hated leaving our boy at home so we were always anxious to get home from our trips.

Really enjoyed that. What a double act! Thank you. 😎

I had ZERO IDEA that Rufus is Roger’s son. Well holy crap. But when I saw something about interviewing best drummer in the world I was excited in my hope to click and find Horsehead dude or the drummer of Clown Core being interviewed. Dammit. But also YAY!

Lovely chat, can't wait to see you guys in November ❤🇮🇹

I went to The Darkness show in Boston at Club Royale. I was impressed with Rufus's drumming. Very tight and powerful. He also has a great look behind the kit. Handsome and ferocious. He's the whole package rock drummer. If Rufus ever moves on, I'd like a shot at playing drums for The Darkness. Perhaps?

I met Rufus in pub in dublin bout 4yrs ago really nice guy.

Rufus is delightful, and I can't imagine ever bringing up his father if I ever talked to him. How rude! When you think about it....watching someone do battle with and throttle their guitar to within a inch of it's life, and the drummer is beating the ever living snot out of the drums, you realise that some of the best rock is really violent, and has been for a while...Pete Townshend first smashed his guitar for the first time because it broke when the neck went through the ceiling of a club. He was furious and finished the job in a rage. Bass players are just seethers who explode every five years or so, but when it happens it is *spectacular,* Great video and interview, Justin. You and Jenny May are really skilled at interviewing everyone you talk to, even yourselves. Kudos for excellent work.

Loved this one :) :) Giggling along to the "What type of fabric would you invent" lolol!!

Slowly we rot is an epic album but the new one SLAYS🤘🤘

This interview was fantastic 😊 I loved every minute of it. You were both amazing at the Taylor Hawkins tribute ❤ It isn’t a short video but it was over too soon.

Excellent Interview Justin nice getting to know Rufus he seems like he has it all together great guy. See you in October RAWKKKKK”

This is how completely out of the zeitgeist I am - I did not know Roger's son was Rufus. For shame! I am humbled - Rufus is lovely (I'm a lifelong Queen fan) and he is definitely his own man even though he comes from rock royalty - literally 🥁👑 playing with the Darkness who are the sparkling imps of fabulousness ✨️ Cheers for a great interview

Loved the quick fire questions!

love that this combination happened within the Darkness, that happened .. on the happening of JH Rides Again.. making it happen does matter .. uplifting, uniting, chatting. musing and other expression - some gems to follow up on ... plus the essential separation of creating vs editing.. different processes - creating, communication curiosity and comradery are demonstrated blessings in this chat

Cool Rufus got to talk to Sir PM. Ive been lucky enough to have a very solid conversation with bot Justin Hawkins and Roder Taylor. Both Great guys.

I love that you have his dad on your finger.

please consider adding a birmingham date to the tour if you can! it’s the home of metal, we’d love to have you! saw you in January and you were incredible so I’m desperate to see you again!

I love it when you two slip into that northern bloke character 😂

The looks on Rufus' face...just hilarious.

Oh dear God! Finally Ruuuuu🤘🤘🤘 my drum menthor! My inspiration. Thanks justin❤

Great interview

Two mates having a random chit chat 🤜🤛 brilliant 😁

Really great interview ✌️😎🥁

Quite a few famous drummers have sons who are also drummers. There's Jason Bonham, Zak Starkey, and Rufus. Two of Phil Collins' sons have followed in his footsteps. Simon who was in a band called Sound of Contact and some solo material but unfortunately seems to be having some drug problems at the moment. Then there is Nic who played drums on Phil's Not Dead Yet tour and on The Last Domino tour.

Rufus with the Hamm's beer hat! From the land of sky blue waters! Cool interview for sure.

Justin wearing an Obituary Slowly We Rot t shirt is a mood

really enjoyed this one...thanks Justin..love ya work

Rufus is an awesome fit for you guys I love his drummig style and his passion for music. Hero

Great interview - your channel never disappoints Justin. I saw a guy who is a jazz musician reacting to I Believe in a Thing Called Love. His channel is Music Shed. I am only mentioning this because his followers are asking him to interview you. Also, he said his followers would leave if he showed up in a cat suit lol.

Rufus, watched Shane July 29 at Canyon club with Chevy Metal. Was surreal. Thought of you, thinking how impressive you are and were at the tribute shows. You opened my eyes that there are still a few musicians with that real feeling and talent that is very needed in our world. It gives us hope for the future. 🫶🏼

Great podcast. One of my favourite videos was when you reviewed Wheatus - Teenage Dirtdag and loved that they commented. Podcast with Brendan Brown would be amazing.

Love Rufus...great drummer in a great band...he is a gentlamen....

Thoroughly enjoyed that 😁 Can't wait to see you guys in Manchester and Leeds 🤘

this podcast " is getting better and better..." (Makin' out)

Yes this was most excellent. It’s almost a year since I saw you both at The Forum… so happy you talked about this here. Also… I think this is the first time you mentioned Pearl Jam…. Been waiting for this moment for a dang year too!! Mr. Matt Cameron was at the tribute too… such an epic night. ✌️❤️🤘🥁🥁

That's awesome that he called out I Love You 5 Times as his favorite B-side.. That's mine too!

❤ I have enjoyed very much this episode. And i am very glad to know that i have at least 3 things in common with Rufus: 1. I love u 5 times is one of my favourites songs in PTL 2. Cheese and tomatos. 3. Beer 😂 (even this 3rd thing is not mentioned by him) About this thing you said that you were surprised because Rufus isn't ###ick, i tell you that in my personal experience the most big people (musician, actors...) use to be the most humble too. That is my opinion. The fact that Rufus has interviewed u too in some moments have add more interests and fun to the episode. I have to say that as subtitles were disabled i haven't finally understand at all what the person wanted to Rufus did while they were doing this "numero 2"... Because i have given for granted that it is your way to say "visitar a Roca" (visiting Roca, which is the label of a wc factory) Please i need someone reply me about this question. And well the final questions have been brilliants Justin! Thank u for bring us the Tiger... Because "Estamos locas con el Tigre" (We are crazy with the Tiger)

I am making a formal request to have Rufus on your show more often and that he rock his pipe from the Darkness music videos

Love your channel so honest and real and inspiring thanks love as alwayss 🙏🏼💗🤗👌👏🥰💗🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Great show thanks guys!

Great chat Justin. Would be interesting to chat with Rick Parfitt’s son Richard who’s a brilliant entertainer with his Rick Parfitt Junior Band and his race driving past. Another son of a famous british rock legend…

Rufus is phenomenal

Love this! Rufus! OBITUARY!Please do Frankie interview next!