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Black Eyes (band)

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Black Eyes
OriginWashington, D.C., United States
Genres
Years active2001 (2001)–2004 (2004), 2022 (2022)–present
Labels
Members
  • Dan Caldas
  • Daniel Martin-McCormick
  • Hugh McElroy
  • Jacob Long
  • Mike Kanin
Websitedischord.com/band/black-eyes

Black Eyes is an American post-punk band from Washington, D.C., United States, that initially existed from August 2001 to March 2004, disbanding two months prior to the release of their second album, Cough.[1][2][3] The band reunited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their self-titled full-length debut, Black Eyes, announcing a 2023 reissue and their first live performances in 19 years.[4] Black Eyes' members are Dan Caldas, Daniel Martin-McCormick, Hugh McElroy, Jacob Long, and Mike Kanin.[5]

History

[edit]

In 2002, Black Eyes released a 7" on Ruffian Records (Some Boys / Shut Up, I Never) and a 7" split with Early Humans on Planaria Recordings; the latter includes the track "Have Been Murdered Again," an early version of "Someone Has His Fingers Broken."[6][7][8]

Black Eyes' self-titled debut album was released in 2003 on Dischord Records; most tracks feature the band's trademark dual vocals (from bass guitarist Hugh McElroy and guitarist Daniel Martin-McCormick) and two full drum kits.[9] After Black Eyes, bassist Jacob Long began teaching himself to play saxophone, which he performed in the group's subsequent live shows and recording sessions.[1]

After extensive touring with Q and Not U,[4] Black Eyes disbanded after a show at The Black Cat in Washington, D.C., just two months before the release of their second album, Cough.[1][10] For this album, the band incorporated frenzied brass instrumentation, pushing further into free-jazz territory.[11]

The band's members went on to pursue other projects, including Ital,[12] Earthen Sea,[13] Marriage,[14] Hand Fed Babies,[15] Sentai,[16] and Mi Ami.[17] McElroy continued to release work on his DIY label, Ruffian Records,[18] and Kanin founded On Repeat, a sub-label of Astral Spirits.[1]

On November 15, 2022, it was announced that Black Eyes was reuniting and would perform a run of three shows in April 2023 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album.[19] Along with a reissue of Black Eyes, the band also released previously-unheard demos, live sets, and a zine titled Speaking In Tongues: Black Eyes 2001-2004.[1][20]

Black Eyes discography

[edit]
Full-length albums

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Williger, Jonathan (17 April 2023). "Dischord Genre-Defiers Black Eyes Return to Reclaim Their Legacy". Bandcamp Daily. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Black Eyes". Dischord. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  3. ^ Kelly, Chris (13 December 2023). "20 years after its debut album, D.C. punk band Black Eyes reunites". The Washington Post. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  4. ^ a b Hoos, Kate (15 November 2022). "Black Eyes Reunite, re-issue debut album". Full Time Aesthetic. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  5. ^ Corcoran, Nina (15 November 2022). "Black Eyes to Reunite for First Shows in 19 Years". Pitchfork. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Black Eyes: Shut Up, I Never". Dischord Records. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  7. ^ "News Archive". Ruffian Records. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Black Eyes". Sputnik Music. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Black Eyes: Black Eyes". Pitchfork.
  10. ^ a b Tangari, Joe (26 October 2004). "Black Eyes: Cough". Pitchfork. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Black Eyes: Cough". PopMatters. 29 November 2004. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  12. ^ Ryce, Andrew (9 February 2012). "Ital". Pitchfork. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  13. ^ Cohan, Brad (13 April 2022). "As Earthen Sea, Jacob Long makes dub-damaged bangers for dystopian dance floors". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  14. ^ Masterson, Patrick (5 November 2015). "Marriage — Pool Blunt (Monofonus Press)". Dusted. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  15. ^ "Concerts". Washington Post. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Catalogue". Ruffian Records. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  17. ^ Breihan, Tom (7 April 2009). "Mi Ami: Watersports". Pitchfork. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  18. ^ Fischer, Jonathan L. (17 November 2009). "Ruffian Records Posts Rare MP3s, Plans Releases with Sockets". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  19. ^ "Dischord Records: Black Eyes to reunite for East Coast shows this spring". Dischord Records. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  20. ^ "Speaking In Tongues: Black Eyes 2001-2004". Dischord. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  21. ^ Dungan, Jason (20 November 2003). "Black Eyes: Black Eyes". Dusted. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  22. ^ Dungan, Jason (18 October 2004). "Black Eyes: Cough". Dusted. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  23. ^ Mahoney, Brendan (4 June 2009). "2002: Black Eyes - Black Eyes". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  24. ^ "Black Eyes – Cough". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
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