The Black Keys are a two-man blues-rock group from Akron in Ohio, which formed in 2001, consisting of singer and guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney.
The band name was inspired by a schizophrenic artist and friend in Akron, who used the term "black keys" to describe things he disliked or people he did not trust. The Black Keys have roots in traditional blues and psychedelic rock stylings.
They released their first album 'The Big Come Up' in 2002, followed by 'Thickfreakness' in 2003, and 'Rubber Factory' in 2004. In 2006 they released 'Magic Potion', as well as the lesser-known 'Chulahoma' and a single version of 'Your Touch'.
The Black Keys’ new album El Camino will be released December 5 on Nonesuch Records. Produced by Danger Mouse and The Black Keys, the 11-track album was recorded at singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound studio in the band’s new hometown of Nashville during the spring of 2011.
In advance of the release, the album’s first single, ‘Lonely Boy’, will be released on October 26. The complete track list is below; further details will be announced shortly. Pre-orders of El Camino begin today at www.theblackkeys.com and www.nonesuch.com.
El Camino follows the most successful two years in The Black Keys’ career. In May 2010 they released their breakthrough album, Brothers, to widespread critical acclaim. Debuting at # 2 in the US, it went on to win three Grammy Awards and an MTV Video Music Award, and topped numerous year-end lists, including iTunes, NPR, and Rolling Stone. Brothers, which includedthe hit singles ‘Tighten Up’ and ‘Howlin’ for You’, has been certified Gold in the US and UK, and Platinum in Canada. Worldwide sales are now over one million and counting.
Drummer Patrick Carney said of the band’s recent success, “We’ve taken the long road to get where we are. It’s pretty cool to be in your early 30s making music with your best friend. We’ve experienced everything from driving a thousand miles to play for no one to winning Grammys.”
Auerbach further describes the band’s dynamic rise, “We don't talk before we play. We don’t practice before we record, we just fly by the seat of our pants.” He says of El Camino, “I think where this record is going to shine for me is playing the songs live. This record is more straight ahead rock and roll – raw, driving, and back to basics.”
