Preview: The Black Keys and Dr. Dog @ La Zona Rosa

Ohio's The Black Keys have been practicing their minimalist-blues ethos for over five years now, and have carved their own niche in indie rock. The band combines the two-man band approach of The White Stripes, riffage worthy of Jimmy Page, and blues stomps patterned after Howlin' Wolf and vintage Chess artists. The trick here is that it comes off in a way that somehow appeals to fans of both Pavement and Stevie Ray Vaughan, which likely explains why this year's Magic Potion was released on a major label (Nonesuch, also home to Wilco and The Magnetic Fields). While we admire their 2004 disc Rubber Factory above all others, the new album is loud, focused, and well-played.

Opening the show are Philadelphia's Dr. Dog. In much the same manner as The Exploding Hearts channeled the late 70's by getting purposefully lo-fi, Dr. Dog's production and songwriting sounds like it fell out of the Nuggets box set. If you like late period Beatles guitar pop, you'll be pleased with these tunes. The band has racked up some big fans in the rock community, opening for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and The Strokes. They were also recently featured on Modfather Paul Weller's BBC Radio 1 DJ set.

Both acts will be at La Zona Rosa Saturday night, so have a listen below.

[The Black Keys MySpace]
[Dr. Dog MySpace]

The Black Keys w/ Dr. Dog
Saturday, December 9th
La Zona Rosa [map]
Doors at 8pm, show at 9pm
$23 [tickets]