The Black Keys Publicity Photos

Have you ever seen a random interview with The Black Keys and noticed the photo used to accompany the story is the same one that was used on another article you’ve read?

It’s obviously easier and cheaper for magazines and newspapers to use a stock PR photo than commission a new one. In any case, bands like using the same images to build up an identifiable attitude or profile.

I’ve assembled the commonly seen publicity images that have come to define the look and story of The Black Keys (in no particular order).

From the look of this lot, I guess there’s only so many band photo faces you can pull.

They are interesting in that they each capture a moment in the band’s life, a piece of it’s history, from the early days to recent days. None of them portray a self-satisfied or smug attitude, rather the modesty and irony of Dan and Pat’s personality comes across.

In a recent comment on this post, Black Keys fan Dan mentioned the first image below of Dan and Pat in the basement would make a great poster. I’d have to agree.

I look forward to seeing some new images for the new Black Keys album being released. With a bit of luck they’ll be done by James Quine who took all of Dan Auerbach’s recent solo press images.

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Dan Auerbach and the Fast 5 Concert Photos

A collection of photos from the recent Dan Auerbach live show I saw.

I’m thinking the pictures are not in need of words. Their story is obvious. Enjoy.

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The Black Keys in Black and White

Dan and Pat look great in black and white photos and videos. I prefer seeing good B&W than a good colour photo of the band.

Just look at this old Grimey’s in store appearance video. Maybe you’ve seen Liveon35mm’s awesome article and photos of a London gig. Arguably the best black and white photos of the band I’ve seen.

I was therefore very happy when Michael, a fan of this site and The Black Keys, let me know about a few cool black and white photos he had recently taken.  They capture Dan at the recent South by Southwest Music Conference playing a special day time show at the Mean Eyed Cat in Austin, Texas, USA.

Check out these samples below with more to be seen at m1chael.brown flickr set. Thanks Michael.

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Dan and Pat Meet Australian Fans

After the recent 11 January 2009 Melbourne show at the Palais Theatre, a few loyal fans waited outside the band entrance of the venue for an hour or so after the gig hoping to meet The Black Keys.

Dan and Pat were kind enough to make the effort to pose for photos, sign autographs and chat to fans before they departed to an after-party at the local Prince front bar in St Kilda.

Pat told a funny anecdote about appearing on the bill at a festival with Shaggy which I wish I could recall.

He also told me about someone else who had a blog about The Black Keys for 2 years and had never been to a live concert. When he did go to a gig he stopped writing the blog! No chance of that happening to me.

Being the music enthusiast that Pat is, he was able name Greville Records in Melbourne as a favourite place to shop when in town, although he didn’t have a chance to visit on this trip.

More than likely, Pat said, the band won’t be back in Australia until 2010.

Below are some photos of the band with fans. You’ll also see the pressure of getting a good photo at the end of the short review video I put together about the gig.

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New Years Resolution: Meet The Black Keys – DONE

Last night I went to the Dr Dog, Gomez and Black Keys gig at the Palais Theatre, Melbourne, Australia. On the way there I never thought I might actually get to meet the band. I did. On the way home I had to pinch myself that I hadn’t been dreaming.

There’s something very, very surreal about actually meeting people you admire and have only imagined meeting for years. Even more so when you’ve created a blog around them and everything they do.

You’ll be reading a lot more about this night in the coming weeks – meeting Dan and Pat, video, photos, merchandise, news and more.

For now the photo says it all: the momentary spoils of fan-dom. Dan even draped me in his sweaty Western stage shirt for the photo at his suggestion. Mind blowing.

Respect to Dan and Pat for taking the time to hang out with fans who had gathered waiting for them to leave the venue long after the show was over. They didn’t have to, but it seemed they genuinely wanted to. I guess that sums up why their fans love them so much.

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