Showing posts with label Black Keys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Black Keys. Show all posts

Monday, 3 April 2017

Dan Auerbach - Shine On Me




1. Who is Dan Auerbach? 

Dan Auerbach is the guitarist/singer for The Black Keys, a producer, a member of Arcs and a solo artist. He is from Akron, Ohio, and he has released two solo albums. Shine On Me (March'17) is the lead single from his second solo album Waiting On A Song (June'17). 


2. What kind of song is Shine On Me? 

Shine On Me is middle of the road, radio friendly, pop rock with a singalong chorus. Generic Americana a'la The Traveling Wilburys.


3. Who does Dan Auerbach sound like? 

The Traveling Wilburys, Pete Townsend and Cage The Elephant.


4. What have the press said about Shine On Me? 

“A jaunty tune” – Stereogum.

“Plucky, uptempo” – Rolling Stone. 

“Bright and sweet” – NPR.




5. Which bands have influenced Dan Auerbach? 

Some of The Black Keys influences include The Clash, T.Rex, Muddy Waters, Junior Kimbraugh and The Cramps.


6. Why should I give Shine On Me a listen? 

Because you like the easy going groove of populist Americana. Because you like Dire Straits.


7. What are Dan Auerbach's best songs? 

Check out the modern bluesy rock of I Want Some More and The Prowl.


8. Any more words? 

Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) recorded the rhythm guitar for Shine On Me. 


“I’m like a four leaf clover,
Cause I hide from everyone”







The Black Keys are a commercially and critically successful blues rock band from Akron, Ohio. Their last album debuted at number one on the American Billboard Charts and was top 5 around the world. The Black Keys started making music in 2001 and have recorded eight albums. They sound like The White Stripes and Arctic Monkeys. The Black Keys are influenced by Howlin' Wolf and Robert Johnson. Gold On The Ceiling was one of three number one singles (Modern Alternative Rock Charts) for The Black Keys from their seventh album El Camino (2011).  Pitchfork thought Gold On The Ceiling sounds “just filthy, like George Thorogood scoring porn, all raunchy organ and licentious hand-claps.”


“Down in the waves,
She screams again”








Sunday, 14 February 2016

Ray LaMontagne - Pt. 1 Hey No Pressure





1.   Who is this earthy looking chap?

Ray LaMontagne is a very popular folk rocker from Nashua, New Hampshire  with five long playes in the bag.  Pt1. Hey, No Pressure (Jan’16) comes grooving off his new album Ouroboros (March’16).


2. What kind of nonsense is coming over the wire?

Pt 1. Hey, No Pressure is a slow chugger with a monster riff. You can already find multiple Youtube videos on how to play the riff. The riff is just epic. A desert rocking riff.


3. So who does Mr Montagne sound like?

Black Rebel Motorcycle club with a flat wheel?  Lenny Kravitz on Valium?

Zumic punted for Black Keys.Sound Bites for Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac) and Billy Thorpe. Yeah, me neither.


4. So what is the good word from the wordsmiths?

“Infectious distorted guitar riffs and swirling sound effects” - Zumic.

“Brings Black Keys-worthy riffage to his inspired words” - NPR.

“Fuzzed-up, effects-laden electric guitar and punchy drums” - Sound Bites.






5. Who inspired this free spirit?

Stephen Stills, Richard Manuel, and Rick Danko are the wind in his sails. 


6. Why should I give Pt 1. Hey, No Pressure a fair crack of the whip?

The riff. Nasty big bluesy riff you will blast out your speakers with. A real sexy, grinder. The song is sex on a stick.


7. Has Mr Montagne whipped out any more big un's?

You Are The Best Thing has more of the soul singing sexiness.


8. More drivel?

Yeah. The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach produced LaMontagne’s 2014 album, Supernova, but Ouroboros was produced by My Morning Jacket’s Jim James.


“Anything you want your life to mean, it can mean”








Double trouble from The Primitives today. The English indie pop band most famous for 1988’s Crash are still alive and kicking and cracked a great one in Petals off the 2014 album Spin-O-Rama.

“A heart not broken won't need mending
Nothing gained so nothing lost”