Black Eyes (band)

  1. Home
  2. Wiki

Black Eyes
OriginWashington, D.C., United States
Genres
Years active2001 (2001)–2004 (2004), 2022 (2022)–present
Labels
Members
  • Dan Caldas
  • Daniel Martin-McCormick
  • Hugh McElroy
  • Jacob Long
  • Mike Kanin
Websitedischord.com/band/black-eyes

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

[edit]

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] The album was produced by Ian MacKaye and recorded by Don Zientara at his Inner Ear Studios. 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] The band continued to tour through 2024 and 2025, debuting new songs at these shows. The band also reissued Cough as well, for its 20th anniversary.

On August 13, 2025, the band announced a new album, Hostile Design. The album is set for release on October 10, 2025 via Dischord Records, and will mark their first album in over twenty years. The band announced the release of the album on their blog alongside a new single, "Pestilence." The album will be produced by Ian MacKaye and engineered by Don Godwin. [21]

Black Eyes discography

[edit]
Full-length albums

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Williger, Jonathan (April 17, 2023). "Dischord Genre-Defiers Black Eyes Return to Reclaim Their Legacy". Bandcamp Daily. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  2. ^ "Black Eyes". Dischord. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  3. ^ Kelly, Chris (December 13, 2023). "20 years after its debut album, D.C. punk band Black Eyes reunites". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Hoos, Kate (November 15, 2022). "Black Eyes Reunite, re-issue debut album". Full Time Aesthetic. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  5. ^ Corcoran, Nina (November 15, 2022). "Black Eyes to Reunite for First Shows in 19 Years". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  6. ^ "Black Eyes: Shut Up, I Never". Dischord Records. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  7. ^ "News Archive". Ruffian Records. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  8. ^ "Black Eyes". Sputnik Music. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Black Eyes: Black Eyes". Pitchfork.
  10. ^ a b Tangari, Joe (October 26, 2004). "Black Eyes: Cough". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  11. ^ "Black Eyes: Cough". PopMatters. November 29, 2004. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  12. ^ Ryce, Andrew (February 9, 2012). "Ital". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  13. ^ Cohan, Brad (April 13, 2022). "As Earthen Sea, Jacob Long makes dub-damaged bangers for dystopian dance floors". Chicago Reader. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  14. ^ Masterson, Patrick (November 5, 2015). "Marriage — Pool Blunt (Monofonus Press)". Dusted. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  15. ^ "Concerts". Washington Post. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  16. ^ "Catalogue". Ruffian Records. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  17. ^ Breihan, Tom (April 7, 2009). "Mi Ami: Watersports". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  18. ^ Fischer, Jonathan L. (November 17, 2009). "Ruffian Records Posts Rare MP3s, Plans Releases with Sockets". Washington City Paper. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  19. ^ "Dischord Records: Black Eyes to reunite for East Coast shows this spring". Dischord Records. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  20. ^ "Speaking In Tongues: Black Eyes 2001-2004". Dischord. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  21. ^ "Black Eyes Update 19: New Record!". Black Eyes. August 13, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  22. ^ Dungan, Jason (November 20, 2003). "Black Eyes: Black Eyes". Dusted. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  23. ^ Dungan, Jason (October 18, 2004). "Black Eyes: Cough". Dusted. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  24. ^ Mahoney, Brendan (June 4, 2009). "2002: Black Eyes - Black Eyes". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  25. ^ "Black Eyes – Cough". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved December 13, 2023.