Black Eyes

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Black Eyes were a punk band from Washington, D.C. that existed from August 2001 to March 2004, disbanding two months prior to the release of their second album, Cough.^[1] Its members included Dan Caldas, Jacob Long, Mike Kanin, Daniel Martin-McCormick, and Hugh McElroy.^[2]

[edit] Music

Prior to releasing their first album, Black Eyes released a 2 song 7" EP and a split EP with Early Humans. The split with Early Humans features an early version of "Someone Has His Fingers Broken" entited "Have Been Murdered Again." Their eponymous debut album was released on April 15, 2003 through 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.

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 1970s.

Black Eyes disbanded after a final show at the 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.

Black Eyes (2003) – Tracklisting