Konzert: Black Ends, Offenbach am Main, HAFEN 2, Fr, 16.05.2025

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Konzert: Black Ends

calendar Fr, 16.05.2025, 21:00 Uhr

HAFEN 2, Nordring 129, 63067 Offenbach am Main map link

tags pop, rock

Black Ends’ self-described gunk-pop is about as sweet as that wad of asphalt-crusted bubblegum you found stuck on the bottom of your favorite boots. Much like the legendary grunge bands that influenced the Seattle trio, Black Ends is artfully adept at smothering catchy pop and rock structures with toxic levels of grime; but please don’t call them “post-grunge”, the term used to describe the major label wave of flannel-clad bands trying to capitalize on grunge’s aesthetic. If you must, “post-post-grunge” may be more apt at capturing Black Ends’ reaction against this type of commercialization. Further cementing this connection to the city’s rich musical history, the band’s sophomore EP of surrealist grunge, Stay Evil, was mixed and mastered by influential Seattle engineer Jack Endino (Nirvana’s Bleach, Mudhoney), whose thoughtful treatments emphasize the dynamics and clarity of the basement-recorded tracks without smoothing over their raw energy. Bandleader Nicolle Swims takes charge with commanding guitar playing, channeling catchy riffs and bluesy sensibilities through warped effects, scuzzy tones, and math rock joltiness. Beloved radio station KEXP, who describes the release as “a four-song foray into dark alternative rock, art-folk, and the contours of our minds when we are faced with treachery,” exclaims that “Swims’ instantly recognizable voice cuts through the din and grabs you, holding you into place while they sing their words -- rubbed raw, cut deep, sometimes willfully obfuscated -- in your face.” The recurring lyrical theme of social alienation is enhanced by Swims’ unique and cryptic vocal delivery that embraces their outsider status. -Ash Jacob Ingalls (@nofoodjustwax)

Black Ends has quickly become one of the most beloved bands in Seattle. 2021 and 2022 have been years of massive growth for the band as they’ve performed live on KEXP and Band in Seattle, and shared the stage with bands such as Margaritas Podridas, Shannon & The Clams and Childbirth. They experienced remarkable success on their first West Coast tour this year and have much to look forward to, including upcoming shows with The Jins and Otoboke Beaver. Black Ends’ music has received support from local Seattle publications such as KEXP, Artist Home and The Seattle Times, as well as national notable music institutions such as Bandcamp, Anthony Fantano (The Needle Drop), American Songwriter and Our Culture Magazine.

How Not To Write About Music: Sixty for 60 - “it makes me so happy to be living in a world where music like this exists.”

Bandcamp: 7 Essential Releases - “Swims’ unique talent and ultra-creative style of guitar playing is on fierce display on last year’s Stay Evil [...] EP that manages to be both super listenable and super weird at the same time.”

Our Culture Magazine: Artist Spotlight: Black Ends - “the 4-track EP has a surreal quality about it, at once bizarre and electrifying. The pure dynamism of the band is evident from the first moments of the mesmerizing, propulsive title track.”

American Songwriter: Uncovering Acts: Five Bands You Need To Know - “...front person and
principal songwriter, Nicolle Swims, has a voice like imagination incarnate.”

Northwest Music Scene: Review: Black Ends - ‘Stay Evil’ - “Swims’ vocal flexibility [...] rides atop the band’s thrusty dynamic gutter sprawl.”

KEXP: Black Ends Premiere “Monday Mourning,” Submit an Honest Essay About Being Black in America - “Being black in America feels like a death sentence but I refuse to stop fighting.”

Okay Haunting: Listen: Black Ends - Sellout EP - “This shit is hard, dude.”

Bent
https://youtu.be/Baf51ILrGhk?si=TpNB-Qj2r1_GsrO2

Stay Evel
https://youtu.be/q3zpgMsQVGY?si=SXWROPtdHJO0ARCa