Spring Break
The Black Keys take Raleigh
Stephen Mason
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: Features
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The duo, comprised of guitarist and vocalist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney, have made a name for themselves for their blues-driven rock riffs, and are now touring for their new album Attack & Release which was released earlier this year.
The set list drew from their new album, which is a departure from their signature sound. The band's first four albums consisted of nothing but guitars and drums, but Attack & Release proved to be far from the norm.
Produced by Danger Mouse (one half of Gnarls Barkley) the album had heavy hip-hop influences and contained ambient synthesizers and keyboards, among other instruments. The Black Keys performed songs like "I Got Mine," and "Strange Times," - the latter of which has a sound that relies heavily on Danger Mouse's added input. "Strange Times" was played without it, but never lost any of the energy.
In fact, the entire night was like that.
Their opening band, the Royal Bangs, were impressive. Influenced by acts like the White Stripes and Death Cab For Cutie, they have a fairly original sound. A five-piece act hailing from Tennessee, the Royal Bangs were not the typical first act that fans want to get off the stage. Their set was explosive -three of the members constantly switching between instruments, such as guitar, bass, percussion and keyboards.
The night came alive when Auerbach and Carney took the stage, putting on a show so forceful that Auerbach actually cut one of his fingers on his strings. Without hesitation he sealed it up with superglue and started the next song. Carney was equally impressive, powerfully keeping deep rhythms to the point where he looked like he was in pain. His best moment was when he took a tambourine and used that instead of one of his drumsticks.
The band played songs from all over their catalogue, including their signature "10 A.M. Automatic" from Rubber Factory and a Captain Beefheart cover. The Disco Rodeo is a small venue, so the show was intimate, with Auerbach walking up to the edge of the stage and actively interacting with the audience.
What makes the Black Keys such a great live act is that they have a unique brand of hard rock, and they know how to play it: loud.
Really, really loud.
This writer can be reached at features@theeastcarolinian.com
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