Date of issue: 15th December 2003

The Darkness Banks on Coutts

A quick thinking Birmingham accountant has stepped up the level of financial advice he is offering to ensure Britain's most talked about rock band capitalises on its spectacular rise to fame.

Michael Meakin, a partner with chartered accountants Clement Keys, Birmingham handles financial planning, taxation compliance and auditing for The Darkness.

Michael, who specialises in advising people working in entertainment and motorsport, is looking after the financial affairs of all four members of the group, which hails from Lowestoft. He is currently helping them to switch banks to Coutts of London, which offers specialist services via its entertainment unit.

"Coutts has the expertise to handle the band's current and future needs, so it was a logical step to move their banking base to their specialist unit," said Michael.

The Darkness has been enjoying phenomenal success since signing a worldwide albums deal with the East West Records label this summer. The hit single Growing On Me was followed by the hugely popular Permission to Land album, which has gone triple platinum in the UK, has captured both the media and public imagination and helped catapult the band to the forefront of the UK music scene.

"As a result of The Darkness's meteoric rise to fame, we are pulling out all the stops to provide the band with practical financial support," added Michael.

"It is important that each of the group's members is on a sound financial footing so that he can capitalise on his achievements with a well-planned investment portfolio."

While Clement Keys, Birmingham looks after its finances The Darkness has been concentrating on its music, opening this year's Glastonbury Festival and then touring as support for Deep Purple, The Rolling Stones, Meatloaf, Def Leppard, Metallica and Robbie Williams. It also picked up the best album and best live act awards at this year's 10th annual Kerrang! Awards.