About
The Black Keys are a popular, heavily blues-influenced American indie rock band with well-known singles such as “Tighten Up” and “Gold on the Ceiling.”
The members of the Black Keys are natives of Akron, Ohio, the city from which they released their debut album, The Big Come Up, in 2002. That album was well-received critically and commercially, ultimately paving the way to a contract with Fat Possum. Thick freakness, the band’s sophomore album, was recorded in a single 14-hour studio session, and led to an opening gig for Sleater-Kinney in 2003. 2004’s Rubber Factory quickly accelerated the band’s momentum, thanks to strong reviews and a video for “10 A.M. Automatic” featuring comedian David Cross.
The Black Keys followed up with 2006’s successful Magic Potion, and 2008’s Attack & Release, both of which represented a departure from the band’s strictly blues-rock sound. Attack & Release debuted in the Billboard Top 14, and led to the band’s second live DVD. The next year saw lead singer Dan Auerbach release a solo album, Keep it Hid, and drummer Patrick Carney forming the band Drummer.
The band’s next album, Brothers (2010), was highly successful, featuring hit singles “Tighten Up,” “Howlin’ for You,” and “Next Girl.” The album took home three Grammys, and earned recognition from Rolling Stone and NPR. 2011’s El Camino delivered a more straightforward rock & roll sound and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 with the help of the popular single “Gold on the Ceiling.”
Turn Blue, the band’s next full album, featured a more psychedelic tone reflected in singles such as “Fever” and its titular song, “Turn Blue.” This album was followed by an extended hiatus wherein Auberbach formed a second band, the Arcs, as well as released the solo album Waiting for a Song. In 2019, the band came back with the single “Lo/Hi,” from their new album Let’s Rock. The album was successful in the U.S. and U.K., debuting at number four and three, respectively, on those countries’ charts. The Black Keys perform regularly, and are often booked for corporate entertainment events and private parties.
