It’s another round of our semi-regular First/Last/Favorite feature where we get acquainted with artists we love based on three record picks: a first formative listen, a recent obsession, and an all time favorite. We’re absolutely stoked to feature Black Ends this week!
Black Ends are Seattle’s self-styled gunk-pop trailblazers, and last year’s Stay Evil EP was one of our favorite local discoveries of the past few years. The EP is energized, loose, wild, and melodic. The four tunes are concise, but the trio is not shy about letting loose and making some noise too. It’s simultaneously experimental and tuneful. There’s certainly a through line from 90’s style deconstructed guitar-rock, but the band’s influences are a lot more far ranging as you’ll see below. (In fact, the band has a killer playlist of influences posted on their Spotify page, for the curious.)
All three of the Black Ends contributed some thoughts on their influences for your reading pleasure. What follows are singer/guitarist Nicolle Swims, drummer Jonny Modes, and bassist Ben Swanson in their own words:
First
Jonny Red Hot Chili Peppers Stadium Arcadium
When I was in 6th grade, I heard the song “Dani California” on the radio and realized I liked rock music. I remember especially liking the snare drum sound on that track- so snappy! That song was on the video game Rock Band, so I got it and learned to play the drum part long before I got my chance on a real drum kit. That was the first album that I ever bought on CD. Of course you know (and hate by now) all the hits, but if you wanna hear a deep cut off that album, try “Hey”. That song is cool.
Nicolle Jeff Buckley Grace
To say this album changed everything for me is an understatement. When I first heard it I think I was 16. This really is the album that inspired me to start singing - I never really had thought about my voice and how to use it before I heard this. I studied and mimicked his vocals lines constantly. I wanted to make music like that. I remember being really down at the time I first discovered Jeff. I was lonely and confused and really needed his music when i found it. There were points where I felt like this album was all I had to keep me going. I feel really grateful that music like this exists and I get to listen to it. Just beautiful brilliance. Dark pop at its finest.
Ben Blue Note Blend: On The Count of 3
This is a jazz compilation CD that my parents bought from Starbucks in the 00's and I remember listening quite frequently in the car and at home. When I listen now, I get a very strong feeling of nostalgia for what Seattle felt like to me at that time. It may be because it's now flavored by that nostalgia, but I do think that this is one of the earliest albums that had a significant musical influence for me. Not sure what my favorite track was then, but now it's definitely Maiden Voyage - Herbie Hancock.
Last
Jonny Luge Tall is Just a Feeling
There’s A LOT to take in here, and I’ve barely begun. They really keep you guessing, taking you thru so many moods and grooves. The songs are catchy and unsettling at the same time. The singing swaps between English and Latvian (or so the google translate is telling me). One line that stuck with me is “I don’t know anything. I’m the head boy.” The band is based in Toronto. I don’t know, this band is just really cool. I want very badly for Black Ends to host their next show in Seattle.
Nicolle Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band Clear Spot
I’ve been coming back to this one quite a lot in these last months - the guitar playing is just so perfect and strange. There’s this low quality recording on YouTube of Her Eyes Are a Blue Million Miles live where the guitar is pretty loud and you can just hear how odd the parts are. I really love this whole album though - it’s addicting to listen to. It took me a little while to get into the whole thing but I finally let myself embrace the weird of it all and it truly is one of my favorite albums now.
Ben Sundae Crush Good Boy
This single was recorded and mixed by Jonny. My sister just recently adopted a puppy and listening to this track a montage of him playing and trotting around automatically starts playing in my head, which makes me smile. Probably influenced by their great music video (I believe it is a different recording in the video, but also great). In this recording I really like the ambient room sound that was achieved, especially in the intro, it makes me feel like I am in the room during the session. Check out fellow Seattle band Sundae Crush.
Favorite
Jonny Duster Stratosphere
This album has just been consistently on my mind since I first heard it. When I’m in a nice mood, I find it relaxing. When I’m feeling down, it’s just devastatingly sad to me. Slow tempos, monotonous grooves, whispery vocals, and just the right amount of lofi rawness all amounts to a masterpiece. These guys are my guitar and production idols, but I also steal their drum beats from time to time.
Nicolle Nirvana Bleach
I’d be a fool not to mention this album. Some of the coolest things about it are Kurt’s amazing screams and the really nasty guitar parts. It just all flows together really well and makes for a perfect album in my opinion. I love it so much. Still makes me feel like I’m on top of the world when I listen to it to this day- what a feeling. I think my favorite song off this record is Paper Cuts - it’s just a gritty masterpiece of a song. This whole album means a great deal to me and I’ve been listening to it for a long long time. It’s like an old friend at this point. Don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it.
Ben Kenny Wheeler Music for Large & Small Ensembles
I was introduced to this album by a professor in college, to whom I am very grateful for doing so. Kenny Wheeler's writing evokes a calmness, happiness, and sadness all at once. The compositions and orchestration I instantly latched on to and tried to emulate. Specifically I liked the idea that the human voice could be heard as a blended member of the horn section, not just a lead. My favorite track is first: "Part I - Opening" which usually leads to me listening to the rest of the album.