In a fiery reaction this week, Dan Hawkins, guitarist for The Darkness, sparked controversy by ripping into the tribute to Ozzy Osbourne performed during MTV's Video Music Awards in Los Angeles. The tribute featured an ensemble of artists including Yungblud, Extreme's Nuno Bettencourt, and Black Sabbath's Adam Wakeman as they performed classics like 'Crazy Train' and 'Changes'.

Hawkins didn't hold back in his critique. He called the medley "Another nail in the coffin of rock’n’roll," describing the entire tribute as "cynical, nauseating," and the performers as "a bunch of bellends." His comments went viral, igniting discussions about the state of rock music today.

Now, his brother Justin Hawkins has jumped into the fray during his latest podcast episode, "Justin Hawkins Rides Again." He addressed the heated debate around Dan's comments, questioning whether it was necessary to resort to name-calling.

Justin opened up about Yungblud's approach to Ozzy’s legacy, stating, "The tribute started the minute he walked the red carpet, acting like it was all for Ozzy. One key difference? Ozzy was genuinely funny." He expressed that for musicians of a certain era, it's frustrating to witness someone like Yungblud—who seems to have co-opted Ozzy’s legacy—without contributing to the truly significant aspects of rock.

He went on to critique the modern rock scene, branding Yungblud's display as akin to a simplistic mix of past rock icons: "It's like a Jim Morrison impression blended with a Stone Temple Pilots vibe. It’s the latest crop of poseurs, a byproduct of the ‘101 School of Rock.’" Justin lamented, "For seven minutes of airtime, this is what we present as rock?"

While praising the talent of Nuno Bettencourt as "the eighth to eighteenth wonders of the world," he reiterated his concerns: "What we got was like watching a cheesy rock show put on by a personality more known for driving a talking car than for rock music. It’s rock'n'roll, but filtered through an Instagram lens. That just rubs the older musicians the wrong way."

As The Darkness gears up for their tour across North America and Europe, these remarks could spark a larger conversation about authenticity in music, especially as legends take a backseat to pop-infused performances. Stay tuned!