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The Black Keys Add New Members for Benefit Gig

The Black Keys headlined an intimate benefit show at New York’s Housing Works Bookstore Café late last week. The performance also coincided with the release of the band’s new studio album Brothers, which was largely recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Writer Alan Light, who profiled the band for recent Relix cover story, spoke before the band’s set, while noted radio and MTV personality Matt Pinfield officially introduced the band. The group offered a tight 60-minute set that featured material from past Black Keys albums like Rubber Factory (2004), Magic Potion (2006) and Attack & Release (2008). The blues-rock duo debuted a few songs from Brothers partway through its set: “Tighten Up,” “Ten Cent Pistol” and “Next Girl,” among others. Breaking from tradition, the Black Keys utilized auxiliary musicians Nick Movshon (bass) and Leon Michels (keyboards) on these new songs.

Both Movshon and Michels backed the Black Keys during promotional appearances for the band’s Blakroc collaboration with a variety of rappers. The musicians are expected to join the group on the road this summer. The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney both played in bands with more members between Keys albums.