Here’s a gem: Dischord has posted a recording of the last show performed by D.C. post-hardcore champs Black Eyes—-which, to my amazement, took place 10 years ago at the Black Cat. I wasn’t at this show, but I had seen them at the same venue before that, and yowza. Click play and wait five minutes—-things start soft and dubby but soon get furious.

A quick note on this era of Black Eyes: I remember the band’s second album—-Cough, a destructive and deconstructive record that had a lot more to do with dub reggae, no wave, and noise rock than most other punk music being made in the District at the time or before—-being fairly controversial, at least among some fans of the group. It actually sounded like a band arguing within itself about what it wanted to be, and I ate that shit up. Those songs have aged well.

If you need me, I’ll be back in 2004.

Photo courtesy Dischord Records