The Black Keys

The Black Keys are my favorite big-time rock and roll band of the 21st century. They are a 2-man band from Akron, Ohio. Dan Auerbach plays guitar and Patrick Carney plays the drums. So we could say they are a guitar/drums duo, although they have added members for their tours in later years, and added more instruments on their later records. As a duo, they showed the total validity of this concept, also illustrated by The White Stripes, Flat Duo Jets, The Hosty Duo (Norman, Oklahoma), and many others.

Their earlier records show that they totally absorbed the "Fat Possum sound", rockin' minimalist delta blues as defined by Junior Kimbrough and R.L. Burnside. They have continuously evolved their sound into original alternative rock, with many songs capable of being big radio hits (but of course the radio has been dead for decades). While they may have changed their sound, they retain total coolness as they release record after record, gaining in popularity continuously.

I got to see them a couple of times at the Green Door in OKC, around 2004, when the shows were small and you could get in for $5. Saw them again at the Bricktown Ballroom in OKC 12/07/2006. They are coming to Tulsa in April of 2012 - good to see them continuing to tour, and remembering to include Oklahoma. I see they are touring Europe in January of 2012, and sold out 3 shows in a row in London.

I recommend all of their records, with the earliest being my most favorite. They have done lots of side projects - Blakroc is a collaboration with rappers, Auerbach did a solo record, Carney is in a band called Drummer. Most of their records are available on vinyl as well as CD. Some of the vinyl LPs have alternate tracks or extra tracks. All these details can be sorted out at Wikipedia.


The Records:


The Big Come Up (05/20/2002) Alive Records
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000063WDH/
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Come_Up

The first studio release from the Black Keys. Totally awesome.


Thick Freakness (04/08/2003) Fat Possum
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thickfreakness
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00008O31H/

The second studio release.


The Moan (01/19/2004) Alive Records
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moan
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00008O31H/

This is an EP with 4 songs:
1. The Moan - based on Poor Boy a Long Way From Home. SEARING
2. Heavy Soul (alternate version of song from The Big Come Up)
3. No Fun (cover of Stooges song)
4. Have Love Will Travel (alternate version of Sonics cover from Thickfreakness)


Rubber Factory (09/07/2004) Fat Possum
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubber_Factory
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B0002O06N0/

The third full-length studio release.


Chulahoma: The Songs of Junior Kimbrough (05/02/2006) Fat Possum
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chulahoma:_The_Songs_of_Junior_Kimbrough
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000F2C87Q/

This is a 6-song EP of songs by Junior Kimbrough. Super cool. And check out some Junior Kimbrough records - the spookiest blues ever.


Magic Potion (09/12/2006) Nonesuch
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Potion_(album)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000GPIPD8/

Fourth full-length studio release. Starting to move away from the Fat Possum sound and more into indie pop-rock.


Attack and Release (04/01/2008) Nonesuch
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_&_Release
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B0013K6WLM/

Fifth full-length studio release.


Brothers (05/18/2010) Nonesuch
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brothers_(The_Black_Keys_album)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B003AO1SVS/

Sixth full-length studio release. Very strong record.


El Camino (12/06/2011) Nonesuch
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Camino_(The_Black_Keys_album)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B005URRCUY/

Seventh full-length studio release. They have now taken over the world.


Dan Auerbach:


Keep It Hid (02/10/2009) Nonesuch
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_It_Hid
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B001NKWLGW/

Auerbach's solo record. 14 songs.



Patrick Carney:


Feel Good Together - Drummer (09/29/2009) Audio Eagle Records
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feel_Good_Together
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B002LWJ5WO/

Carney started this band with a bunch of other drummers.



Blakroc:


Blakroc (11/27/2009) V2 Records
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blakroc
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B0034PWPLK/

This is a collaboration of The Black Keys with various rappers. Very interesting record. Super cool!



DVDs:


The Black Keys Live (10/04/2005) Fat Possum
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_(The_Black_Keys_album)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000B6AFTY/

From a show at The Metro Theatre, Sydney Australia, March 18, 2005. 65 minutes, 17 songs.


Live at the Crystal Ballroom (11/18/2008) Nonesuch
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_at_the_Crystal_Ballroom
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B001HQ6ZC8/

From April 4, 2008 show at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon. 64 minutes, 17 songs.


Some Links:


Official Website - TheBlackKeys.com

The Black Keys Fan Lounge - theblackkeysfanlounge.com

Wikipedia (Main Article): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Keys

Wikipedia (Discography): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_Keys_discography

Wikipedia (Dan Auerbach): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Auerbach

Wikipedia (Patrick Carney): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Carney

Black Keys Page at Fat Possum Records: www.fatpossum.com/artists/the-black-keys

Fat Possum Records Home Page: www.fatpossum.com

Black Keys Page at Alive Records: www.alive-totalenergy.com/x/?page_id=392

Alive Records Main Page: www.alive-totalenergy.com/

Black Keys Page at Nonesuch Records: www.nonesuch.com/artists/the-black-keys

Nonesuch Records Main Page: www.nonesuch.com/





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Revised 01/25/12 (I had let this page lapse from 2003 until 2012)

All Links checked and fixed 01/25/2012

First posted 12/23/03