Blackblack
Encyclopedia
BlackBlack is a rock band from Los Angeles, California, consisting of Diva Dompe (vocals/bass), Lola Dompe (drums), and Clark Schädelkopf
(guitar).
, who performed as his alter-ego "Clark Schädelkopf" in the context of the band. Schädelkopf means "skullhead" in German. The Dompe sisters are both daughters of Bauhaus
drummer Kevin Haskins
.
They have channeled their fantastical and sci-fi leanings into their shows. Prepping for past gigs included dressing as if they were starring in the Ice Capades, crafting massive Native American headresses, and making vats of theatrical blood in the Dompe family kitchen for a Carrie-themed summertime barbecue
at The Echo in Echo Park.
Many people believed that they got their name from the caffeinated Japanese gum, BlackBlack, but Clark has said that the meaning is "blacker than black."
Some criticized Blackblack because they thought that is was a random side project for the already successful Alex Greenwald
, but they have steadily gained recognition, especially in Los Angeles and Japan.
Recently the band has come under some harsh criticism for reportedly performing in blackface
, although the band claims that they painted their skin to perform as 'shadows' and did it "just to be scary" and didn't intend to be racially offensive.
The band, especially the Dompe sisters, are often noted for their quirky and constantly shifting fashion choices, going so far as to appear on the front page of the Urban Outfitters
website.
. Clark Schädelkopf tells ElleGirl
"we’re not Goth, but we do have to fight it."
Some of their musical influences consist of contemporary bands such as Deerhoof
, Lightning Bolt, and
Blonde Redhead
. A staple and likely the most commented-on feature of the band's live shows is their cover of the Misfits song "Skull".
They have toured Japan in the summer of 2006 sponsored by X-Girl. In January 2007 they supported Deerhoof
during their west coast tour.
Alex Greenwald
Alexander Greenwald is an American musician, actor, and more recently a record producer. He is best known as the lead singer of the Californian rock band, Phantom Planet, which is on indefinite hiatus according to a blog posting on the band's official website.-Life and career:Greenwald was born in...
(guitar).
Background
Diva Dompe started the band in 2004 with her sister Lola and boyfriend Alex GreenwaldAlex Greenwald
Alexander Greenwald is an American musician, actor, and more recently a record producer. He is best known as the lead singer of the Californian rock band, Phantom Planet, which is on indefinite hiatus according to a blog posting on the band's official website.-Life and career:Greenwald was born in...
, who performed as his alter-ego "Clark Schädelkopf" in the context of the band. Schädelkopf means "skullhead" in German. The Dompe sisters are both daughters of Bauhaus
Bauhaus (band)
Bauhaus was an English rock band formed in Northampton in 1978. The group consisted of Peter Murphy , Daniel Ash , Kevin Haskins and David J . The band was originally Bauhaus 1919 before they dropped the numerical portion within a year of formation...
drummer Kevin Haskins
Kevin Haskins
Kevin Haskins also known as Kevin Michael Dompe is a drummer best known from the British rock group Bauhaus. He was also a member of Tones on Tail and Love and Rockets...
.
They have channeled their fantastical and sci-fi leanings into their shows. Prepping for past gigs included dressing as if they were starring in the Ice Capades, crafting massive Native American headresses, and making vats of theatrical blood in the Dompe family kitchen for a Carrie-themed summertime barbecue
Barbecue
Barbecue or barbeque , used chiefly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, poultry and occasionally fish with the heat and hot smoke of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of...
at The Echo in Echo Park.
Many people believed that they got their name from the caffeinated Japanese gum, BlackBlack, but Clark has said that the meaning is "blacker than black."
Some criticized Blackblack because they thought that is was a random side project for the already successful Alex Greenwald
Alex Greenwald
Alexander Greenwald is an American musician, actor, and more recently a record producer. He is best known as the lead singer of the Californian rock band, Phantom Planet, which is on indefinite hiatus according to a blog posting on the band's official website.-Life and career:Greenwald was born in...
, but they have steadily gained recognition, especially in Los Angeles and Japan.
Recently the band has come under some harsh criticism for reportedly performing in blackface
Blackface
Blackface is a form of theatrical makeup used in minstrel shows, and later vaudeville, in which performers create a stereotyped caricature of a black person. The practice gained popularity during the 19th century and contributed to the proliferation of stereotypes such as the "happy-go-lucky darky...
, although the band claims that they painted their skin to perform as 'shadows' and did it "just to be scary" and didn't intend to be racially offensive.
The band, especially the Dompe sisters, are often noted for their quirky and constantly shifting fashion choices, going so far as to appear on the front page of the Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters, Inc. is a publicly traded American company that owns and operates five retail brands: Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, Terrain, and BHLDN....
website.
Music
BlackBlack has a moody, gloomy sound, reminiscent of the Velvet Underground and Joy DivisionJoy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
. Clark Schädelkopf tells ElleGirl
Elle Girl
Elle Girl was the largest older-teen fashion and beauty magazine brand in the world with 12 editions and supplements worldwide. Launched in August 2001, it was the younger sibling to Elle magazine, and similarly focused on beauty, health, entertainment and looked at daring fashion—its slogan: "Dare...
"we’re not Goth, but we do have to fight it."
Some of their musical influences consist of contemporary bands such as Deerhoof
Deerhoof
Deerhoof is a musical group consisting of Satomi Matsuzaki, John Dieterich, Ed Rodriguez and Greg Saunier.-Origins:In 1992, Greg Saunier, having recently graduated with a degree in music composition from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, joined a short-lived San Francisco quartet called Nitre Pit, on...
, Lightning Bolt, and
Blonde Redhead
Blonde Redhead
Blonde Redhead is an American alternative rock band composed of vocalist/rhythm guitarist Kazu Makino and twin brothers Simone and Amedeo Pace , which formed in New York City in 1993....
. A staple and likely the most commented-on feature of the band's live shows is their cover of the Misfits song "Skull".
They have toured Japan in the summer of 2006 sponsored by X-Girl. In January 2007 they supported Deerhoof
Deerhoof
Deerhoof is a musical group consisting of Satomi Matsuzaki, John Dieterich, Ed Rodriguez and Greg Saunier.-Origins:In 1992, Greg Saunier, having recently graduated with a degree in music composition from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, joined a short-lived San Francisco quartet called Nitre Pit, on...
during their west coast tour.
Discography
BlackBlack have released two independent EPs as well as a full-length album in Japan which combines the two Eps.Singles and EPs
- BlackBlack EP 1 - 16 June 2005
- "Royal Dragon"
- "Sophia"
- "Honey In Your Ears"
- "Firefly"
- "I Wish I Were A Scientist"
- "Algorythyx and Gurantaxtaxq"
- BlackBlack EP 2 - 2006
- "Emerald Forest"
- "Orge Mountain"
- "The Energy Song"
- "The Most! The Best! The Greatest! Forever!"
- "The Long Boat"
- "Skulls" – cover song of the Misfits
- "We, The Grimlocks"
- "Waiting For Magic" 2008 Single
Appearances
- Perfect As CatsPerfect As CatsPerfect as Cats: A Tribute to the Cure is a charity record released by Los Angeles indie label, Manimal Vinyl on October 28, 2008.. , Segodnya . , Les Inrockuptibles It features covers of The Cure favourites by Dandy Warhols, Bat For Lashes, Kaki King, Devastations, ex-Godflesh frontman, Justin K...
a tribute to The CureThe CureThe Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
on Manimal VinylManimal VinylManimal Vinyl is a Los Angeles based record label founded in 2006 by fashion stylist, Paul Beahan. They are known for releasing underground and experimental pop music. They were originally known as a folk label that makes annual tribute records for worldwide charities, having eventually switched to...
Records Oct 2008