The Black Keys are an American rock duo — Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney — formed in Akron, Ohio in 2001. The early Fat Possum records are raw basement blues rock; Brothers and El Camino, with Danger Mouse producing, are the big ones and still the place to start. Explore The Black Keys vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
The Black Keys formed in Akron, Ohio in 2001. The duo consists of Dan Auerbach (vocals, guitar) and Patrick Carney (drums), childhood acquaintances who began recording in a basement. After several albums on independent labels including Fat Possum, the band signed to Nonesuch and achieved a major commercial breakthrough at the start of the 2010s, becoming one of the most successful rock acts of the decade.
The Black Keys play blues rock, garage rock, and indie rock, built on Auerbach's gritty guitar and vocals and Carney's heavy drumming. Their early work was raw and lo-fi; collaborations with producer Danger Mouse brought a fuller, more pop-aware production to albums like Brothers and El Camino. The duo is frequently cited alongside the 2000s garage rock and blues revival.
Brothers and El Camino have appeared in anniversary and deluxe vinyl editions, and the band's earlier Fat Possum catalog is sought by collectors of the blues-rock revival. Colored-vinyl variants accompany many of the Nonesuch-era titles.
Listeners new to The Black Keys often start with Brothers (2010) or El Camino (2011). For related listening, see and .
