On a late Saturday night/early Sunday morning for our final Lollapalooza aftershow we hit up Schubas to see Dan Auerbach, front man for the Black Keys, touring on his solo album, Keep it Hid. Schubas is one of those places that get’s top-flight talent in an intimate setting and personally I’m a huge fan.
Opening up was Cage the Elephant. I saw them at Summerfest and besides their hit “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked,” it was largely unimpressive. So, we sat that one out and took a load off on a barstool and sipped some delicious Corona instead. Auerbach came on around midnight.
I don’t have a lot to say about this show, except that if you ever get a chance to see Auerbach – with the Black Keys or solo – take it. One factor that slightly disappointed was the constant din of the crowd. It seems to be a common problem with Lolla aftershows – maybe it’s the all-day drinking of those who attended the festival during the day.
Below is video of “Whispered Words.” You’ll want to watch it to the end. Current tour dates after the video.
You might also like: Dan Auerbach at Metro, Black Keys in Cleveland, Ultimate Lollapalooza Highlight Reel, Band of Horses at House of Blues.
| Nov 5 2009 | 8:00P | Newport Music Hall | Columbus, Ohio |
| Nov 6 2009 | 8:00P | The Majestic Theatre | Detroit, Michigan |
| Nov 7 2009 | 8:00P | Phoenix Concert Theatre | Toronto |
| Nov 8 2009 | 8:00P | Le National | Montreal |
| Nov 9 2009 | 8:00P | The Paradise | Boston |
| Nov 11 2009 | 8:00P | Webster Hall | New York, New York |
| Nov 12 2009 | 8:00P | Theatre of the Living Arts | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Nov 13 2009 | 8:00P | Sonar | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Nov 14 2009 | 8:00P | Cat’s Cradle | Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
| Nov 16 2009 | 8:00P | The Orange Peel | Asheville, North Carolina |
| Nov 17 2009 | 8:00P | Variety Playhouse | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Nov 18 2009 | 8:00P | House of Blues | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Nov 20 2009 | 8:00P | Minglewood Hall | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Nov 21 2009 | 8:00P | Cannery Ballroom | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Dec 3 2009 | 8:00P | Turner Hall | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Dec 4 2009 | 8:00P | First Avenue | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Dec 5 2009 | 8:00P | The Vic Theatre | Chicago, Illinois |
| Dec 6 2009 | 8:00P | The Bluebird | Bloomington, Indiana |
| Dec 8 2009 | 8:00P | Southgate House | Newport, Kentucky |
| Dec 9 2009 | 8:00P | House of Blues | Cleveland, Ohio |
(Video included) Those Darlins, a rockabilly-punk-country female trio, has announced their self-titled debut album will release on July 7 with OH WOW DANG Records.
Sound Citizen caught Those Darlins when they opened for Dan Auerbach in Chicago. And the one thing that stood out immediately is that they are entertaining as hell. They’re also unbridled, shameless and very talented.
They just wrapped up a gig at South by Southwest and are now headed back out on the road. I highly recommend catching them live – you’ll be toe tapping with the music, laughing and possibly mildly offended with some of the lyrics. In a good way.
Check out their tour dates below, along with a live video of “Wild One” from their upcoming album.
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The Parlour at Southgate House | Cincinnati/Newport, Ohio | ||
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The Vogue w/The Avett Brothers | Indianapolis, Indiana | ||
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The High Dive | Champaign, Illinois | ||
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The Hi-Tone | Memphis, Tennessee | ||
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The White Water Tavern w/Glossary | Little Rock, Arkansas | ||
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Smoke & Barrel | Fayetteville, Arkansas | ||
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Border Bash: Downtown Bristol, in the middle of State Street. | Bristol, Tennessee |
(Video included) Dan Auerbach, front man for The Black Keys, is touring to promote his first solo album, Keep it Hid. On Friday, March 6 he made a stop at The Metro in Chicago to play in front of a sold-out crowd. Simply put, the show rocked. By far, it’s one of the best shows around of the early 2009 season.
He led off with “Trouble Weighs a Ton,” a slow, back-country sounding tune that immediately signals a sound departure from the heavy blues of The Black Keys. But from there, Auerbach led the crowd into the meat of Keep it Hid, playing the ska-inspired but blues-based “I Want Some More.” It’s heavy but clean, scratching the surface of what’s to follow. The set included the aptly-named “The Prowl” with its stalking rhythm, “Mean Monsoon” and its quirky beat, the heartfelt “Goin’ Home,” “My Last Mistake,” “Heartbroken, In Disrepair” and just about every other song from the new record. There’s a sound emerging from Keep it Hid that I haven’t heard before. It’s blues, it’s rock and there’s some reggae thrown into some of the underlying beats. It all comes together seamlessly, and it sounds very good.
Seeing Auerbach on stage with a full supporting band – Hacienda, including My Morning Jacket percussionist Patrick Hallahan – I can’t help but be reminded of Jack White’s transition from The White Stripes to The Raconteurs. It’s clear that while The Black Keys showcases Auerbach’s unique style, his solo effort is a glimpse of what he’s really capable of as a musician. He stays true to his blues roots and his style, but it’s a richer, more complex sound. He has said that The Black Keys aren’t going to quit making music, and that’s a good thing. That said, go out and see this show if at all possible. I’d see him again tomorrow if I could. I want some more.
Below is video from the show, of “Heartbroken, In Disrepair.” It’s a little shaky at times, because I was having trouble staying still. Click “HQ” for best quality. Enjoy. Upcoming tour dates are below the video. And you can visit Dan Auerbach’s MySpace page to hear the entire new album.
| Nov 5 2009 | 8:00P | Newport Music Hall | Columbus, Ohio |
| Nov 6 2009 | 8:00P | The Majestic Theatre | Detroit, Michigan |
| Nov 7 2009 | 8:00P | Phoenix Concert Theatre | Toronto |
| Nov 8 2009 | 8:00P | Le National | Montreal |
| Nov 9 2009 | 8:00P | The Paradise | Boston |
| Nov 11 2009 | 8:00P | Webster Hall | New York, New York |
| Nov 12 2009 | 8:00P | Theatre of the Living Arts | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Nov 13 2009 | 8:00P | Sonar | Baltimore, Maryland |
| Nov 14 2009 | 8:00P | Cat’s Cradle | Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
| Nov 16 2009 | 8:00P | The Orange Peel | Asheville, North Carolina |
| Nov 17 2009 | 8:00P | Variety Playhouse | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Nov 18 2009 | 8:00P | House of Blues | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Nov 20 2009 | 8:00P | Minglewood Hall | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Nov 21 2009 | 8:00P | Cannery Ballroom | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Dec 3 2009 | 8:00P | Turner Hall | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Dec 4 2009 | 8:00P | First Avenue | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Dec 5 2009 | 8:00P | The Vic Theatre | Chicago, Illinois |
| Dec 6 2009 | 8:00P | The Bluebird | Bloomington, Indiana |
| Dec 8 2009 | 8:00P | Southgate House | Newport, Kentucky |
| Dec 9 2009 | 8:00P | House of Blues | Cleveland, Ohio |
(Video and audio after the jump) Every now and then I discover a band that reminds me why I love music so much. Not long ago, that band was The Black Keys. So when my brother called asking if I’d be interested in taking a quick trip to Cleveland to see the rock/blues duo, I jumped on it. We booked our flights and got our tickets to see them at the Agora Theater, near their hometown of Akron, Ohio. We also made a stop at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Black Keys are often likened to The White Stripes, probably because they are both two-person bands and they both rock. But The Black Keys have a much different sound – it’s dirty and unmistakably blues. Guitarist and singer Dan Auerbach’s rugged and soulful voice, combined with his mastery of rhythmic blues guitar (Robert Johnson is one of his influences) and Patrick Carney’s explosive drumming make these guys powerful and hypnotic.
They played much of their most popular music including, Same Old Thing, 10 AM Automatic, Girl is on My Mind, Your Touch, Psychotic Girl and a ripping Stack Shot Billy. Every one of their songs has a steady beat that sometimes grows frantic, sometimes lays low but always leaves people grooving. In most bands, the drummer is overlooked. Not here. Patrick Carney is every bit as important to The Black Keys as Auerbach, and simply a joy to watch. He is passionate, and pounds the skins when he needs to and gently taps them when appropriate. And instead of simply keeping a rhythm, he creates new ones throughout every song. Auerbach plays effortlessly – sometimes playing a few bars with one hand – and is one of those musicians that makes you feel music is playing him, not the other way around.
The venue, Agora Theater, is historic and a cool place to see a show. You’ll find that most great bands that pass through Cleveland will make a stop here. It was rebuilt after a fire in the 80′s and looks like it hasn’t been touched since. But, after the show, you can walk across the hall to the Agora Ballroom, where on this night The Doctor Teeeth were playing. And they were pretty good too – guitarist Rusty Boyer has some real talent. Then, on your way out you pass through a diner with late-night food and another small band playing in the corner. My only real complaint was with the sound system. They were having problems early on and never seemed to get Auerbach’s microphone right. That said, the next time I’m in Cleveland I’ll look to see who is playing there.
Sitting next to us in some VIP seats, I’m convinced were Auerbach’s parents. The woman was singing along to every song, and had a head of red hair and eyes that match Dan’s. The man was fairly bald but with a bushy beard. Of course, I’m speculating, but it looked right.
Below is some video from the show – don’t forget to click the lower right of the player and select HQ for better quality. And if you really want to see them live and at their best, get Black Keys Live at the Crystal Ballroom
Want to read more about The Black Keys and see some reviews for upcoming shows? Check out The Black Keys Fan Lounge.
Strange Times
I Got Mine
Dan Auerbach, of the power blues duo The Black Keys will release his solo debut record on Feb. 10, just ahead of a U.S. tour. Head over to Auerbach’s MySpace page and you can hear three full-length tracks from the new record, Keep It Hid, including a blues track with a reggae feel and a sweet acoustic “Trouble Weighs a Ton.” Click ‘More’ for current tour dates. Read more
(video after the jump) Black Keys Live at the Crystal Ballroom
It captures their stage presence perfectly and showcases one of the best blues/rock revival bands around. Lead singer and guitarist Dan Auerbach’s gritty voice and effortless riffs combine in perfect unison with drummer Patrick Carney’s impeccable timing and rabid pace.
This is a must-buy for any serious rock or blues fan – and in my opinion for any serious music fan. This band will prove to be an important evolution in the world of music and every opportunity should be taken to see them whenever, wherever possible. And if you need further confirmation of the impact of The Black Keys, check out this Rolling Stone article.
Unfortunately, it might be that The Black Keys’ days are numbered. Auerbach is releasing a solo album and touring without Carney, who has been focused on his Audio Eagle label. While that may be the case, this DVD is timeless.
The video below is from the same show, but not from the DVD – it has much better sound and video quality.
