Black Eyes

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Black Eyes were a short-lived Washington, D.C., United States, punk band with a uniquely chaotic sound. They received substantial acclaim in the underground punk scene, both for their experimental, no-wave and free-jazz influenced music, as well as for their famously cathartic live shows. The band broke up in 2004, shortly before the release of their second album.

[edit] Members

Hugh McElroy

Member of Black Eyes, Horses, and various other Washington, DC post-punk bands. Runs DIY label Ruffian Records. Teaches Latin at the Field School in Washington, DC.

Dan Caldas - Play drums.
Daniel Martin-McCormick - Lives in San Francisco with Jacob Long (see below)
Jacob Long - Lives in San Francisco with DMM (see above). Long works with sounds solely under the name EARTHEN SEA.
Mike Kanin - Has since moved to Boston with his female lover. He at one point held a job for many years at the WASHINGTON DC CITYPAPER. Kanin is a writer and a Boston Red Sox fan.

[edit] Music

Their first release, Black Eyes was released on April 15, 2003, on Dischord Records. Most tracks featured the band's trademark dual vocals, from bassist Hugh McElroy and guitarist Daniel McCormick, as well as two full drum kits and the occasional horn blast or synth noise.

Tracklisting:

"Someone Has His Fingers Broken"
"A Pack of Wolves"
"Yes, I Confess"
"On the Sacred Side"
"Nine"
"Speaking in Tongues"
"Deformative"
"King's Dominion"
"Day Turns Night"
"Letter to Raoul Peck"

The band broke up just before their second album, Cough, was released on June 1, 2004, also through Dischord Records. For this batch of songs the band incorporated frenzied brass instruments into their sound, pushing further into free-jazz territory. This free verse horn music was known as "no-wave" in the late '70s. The saxophone play of Jacob Long can be compared to that of James Chance and his band The Contortions.

Tracklisting:

"Cough, Cough"
"Eternal Life"
"False Positive"
"Drums"
"Scrapes and Scratches"
"Fathers of Daughters"
"Holy of Holies"
"Commencement"
"Spring Into Winter"
"Another Country"
"Meditation"

Black Eyes disbanded after a final show at the Black Cat in Washington, D.C. All of the band's former members have since moved on to pursue other projects, and Hugh McElroy has become fully immersed in his DIY record label, Ruffian Records.

In addition to these bands the members have been seen in the bands Hand-Fed Babies, Horses, and Equinox.