The Black Keys mix history with musi

/Home/Blues Artists

The Black Keys mix history with musi
May 2010
By Cameron Wright
Coyote Chronicle

The Black Keys are a blues-rock duo composed of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/produced Patrick Carney.
Formed in 2001 in Akron, Ohio, the band released their debut album, The Big Come Up, in early 2002, which was recorded entirely in Carney’s basement on an 8-track tape recorder from the early 1980s.
Their second album, Thickfreakness, recorded in the same fashion as their debut album, was released in April 2003, and featured three singles, “Set You Free,” “Hard Row,” and a cover of Richard Berry’s, “Have Love Will Travel.” “Set You Free,” was featured on the soundtrack for the film "School of Rock" as well as the 2009 comedy, "I Love You, Man."
In 2004, The Black Keys released Rubber Factory, the band’s third album. Rubber Factory was recorded in abandoned factory in Akron in early 2004. The album featured singles, “10 A.M. Automatic,” “’Til I Get My Way,” and, “Girl Is On My Mind.”
The track “When The Lights Go Out,” was used in the trailer for the film, "Black Snake Moan." “10 A.M. Automatic,” was used in films Live Free or Die, The Go Getter," in the soundtrack to the video game MLB ’06: The Show, and in an American Express commercial. The track, “Grown So Ugly,” was featured in the movie "Cloverfield." The track, “Girl Is On My Mind”was featured on a Sony Ericcson and a Victoria’s Secret commercial.
Their fourth album, Magic Potion, which was the first release on their new label Nonesuch Records, included the singles, “You’re The One,” “Your Touch,” and, “Just Got To Be,” which was featured on the soundtrack to the video game, NHL 08. Another track, “Your Touch” was featured in the 2009 movie, "Zombieland."
The band’s fifth album, Attack & Release, released on April 1, 2008, and debuted at number 14 on the Billboard Top 200. This is when I first discovered The Black Keys as their entire album was produced by DJ Danger Mouse, who has collaborated with artists such as Cee-Lo Green and The Gorillaz. The single, “Strange Times,” was featured Grand Theft Auto IV and NASCAR 09. “I Got Mine,” another single, was named the 23rd best song by Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Best Songs of 2008.
Their latest album, Brothers, was released on May 18, and features 15 tracks, including the first single, “Tighten Up.”
The Black Keys are making a statement and getting a lot of attention by getting involved in many different mediums.