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

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

Full-length albums

• Black Eyes (Dischord, 2003) ^{[9] [21]}
• Cough (Dischord, 2004) ^{[10] [22]}

References