WATCH: The Black Keys Perform on ‘Saturday Night Live’

May 11th, 2014

Kevin Blumeyer

The Black Keys were the musical guests on last night’s episode of Saturday Night Live, delivering lethargic renditions of “Fever” and “Bullet In The Brain.” Both songs will appear on the group’s new album Turn Blue, which hits stores this Tuesday (May 13).

This is the part where I’d normally tell you “Enjoy!” But honestly, I checked out halfway through the sleepy performance of “Fever” to google Charlize Theron, since I had no idea what she might have been promoting with her appearance on the show. It feels like forever since she’s been in a movie and I completely forgot she’s in that new Seth MacFarlane movie A Million Ways to Die in the West. So, um, yeah. Big Charlize Theron fan here.

I will say that I find The Black Keys’ new bassist Richard Swift really entertaining and was surprised to learn he’s the same guy who has been playing with The Shins in recent years, further blurring the lines in that whole Black Keys/James Mercer/Danger Mouse ménage à trois. Anyway, this isn’t the best way to kick off the promotion of Turn Blue and the massive just-announced fall arena tour. Perhaps they should move Swift to the front of the stage if he’s going to continue to bring more enthusiasm than frontman Dan Auerbach. Just a thought. The videos are included below.