The Raconteurs are an American rock band formed in 2005 in Detroit, Michigan. The band consists of Jack White, Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence, and Patrick Keeler. Jack White and Brendan Benson are the songwriters and lead vocalists of the group. The Raconteurs have released 2 studio albums, Broken Boy Soldiers in 2006 and Consolers of the Lonely in 2008. They went on hiatus in 2009 but reunited in 2019 to release new music and tour. The Raconteurs are known for their blend of blues, punk, and classic rock influences. Their energetic live shows and catchy songs have earned them a dedicated fanbase over the years.
History and Formation
The origins of The Raconteurs trace back to 2001 when Jack White of The White Stripes and Brendan Benson met and discussed collaborating. They wrote a song called “Steady, As She Goes” in 2004 which would later appear on The Raconteurs debut album. Jack White invited musician friends Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler to form a new band to record the track. This marked the creation of The Raconteurs in 2005 in Detroit, Michigan.
The name Raconteurs comes from the word that means “a person who excels in storytelling and conversation.” This fits the band’s songwriting that often tells stories and uses conversational lyrics between White and Benson.
The four members of The Raconteurs are:
Jack White
– Singer, guitarist, songwriter
– Known for The White Stripes
– Considered one of the key artists in the garage rock revival of the 2000s
Brendan Benson
– Singer, guitarist, songwriter
– Solo artist and collaborator with other artists
– Known for power pop style and melodic songs
Jack Lawrence
– Bassist, backing vocalist
– Toured and recorded with The Greenhornes, Blanche, The Dead Weather
Patrick Keeler
– Drummer
– Played with The Greenhornes, The Afghan Whigs
This lineup of accomplished musicians helped form the signature sound of The Raconteurs blending rock, pop, blues, and country influences.
Broken Boy Soldiers – First Album (2006)
The Raconteurs recorded their debut album Broken Boy Soldiers in 2005 at Brendan Benson’s home studio in Detroit. It was produced by Joe Chiccarelli and released in May 2006 on Third Man Records and XL Recordings.
Broken Boy Soldiers reached #2 on the Billboard 200 chart and earned critical praise for its energetic rock songs. The album’s title refers to the broken relationships and loneliness explored across the songs.
Some highlights of Broken Boy Soldiers:
– “Steady, As She Goes” – catchy blues rock track released as the first single, became one of the band’s signature songs
– “Hands” – popular song with a gospel vibe and call-and-response vocals
– “Broken Boy Soldier” – vigorous rocker and the album’s title track
– “Together” – acoustic ballad showing the melodic side of White and Benson
– “Call It a Day” – clap along rocker with a fun pub song vibe
The Raconteurs toured extensively to support Broken Boy Soldiers, gaining notoriety for their raucous live shows. Their first tour included dates as the opening act for Bob Dylan which exposed the band to bigger audiences.
Consolers of the Lonely – Sophomore Album (2008)
The Raconteurs quickly recorded their second album Consolers of the Lonely in 2007 at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, TN. It was produced by Jack White and released in March 2008 on Third Man Records and XL Recordings.
Consolers of the Lonely reached #7 on the Billboard 200 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album. It showed the band expanding their sound with more eclectic songs.
Some highlights of Consolers of the Lonely:
– “Salute Your Solution” – nearly 9-minute psychedelic rock epic opening the album
– “Old Enough” featuring Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe – bluegrass tinged country ballad
– “Top Yourself” – critique of celebrity and reality TV culture
– “Many Shades of Black” – somber piano ballad sung by Benson
– “These Stones Will Shout” – powerful rocker with gospel elements
The album cover and title Consolers of the Lonely fit the darker tone of many of the songs dealing with anger, jealousy, and depression. However, the band avoided sounding too melancholy by balancing those songs with swaggering rockers and humorous lyrics too.
Hiatus and Reunion (2009-2019)
After the tour for Consolers of the Lonely wrapped up in late 2008, The Raconteurs went on an extended hiatus starting in 2009. The members focused on other projects during this dormant period. However, they reunited in 2019 to record two new songs, “Sunday Driver” and “Now That You’re Gone.”
This launched a year of Raconteurs activity in 2019 including:
– Playing festivals like ACL and Ohana Fest
– Appearing on TV shows like Colbert and Later…with Jools Holland
– Releasing a 25-song anthology album called Help Us Stranger
– Headlining a world tour through 2019 into 2020
The Help Us Stranger collection featured the first new Raconteurs music in over a decade with the two new songs plus compilation of previous album tracks and unreleased material.
This reunion celebrated the 10th anniversary of Consolers of the Lonely and showed the band still had great musical chemistry after so many years away. Fans were delighted to see The Raconteurs playing shows and releasing new music again in 2019.
Musical Style and Influences
The Raconteurs’ music blends together blues, punk, country, folk, and classic rock. Their songs are often based around big guitar riffs and catchy choruses led by the vocals of White and Benson.
Some of their major influences include:
– Classic blues artists like Howlin’ Wolf and Willie Dixon
– Southern rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Lynyrd Skynyrd
– Punk pioneers The Stooges and The MC5
– Brendan Benson’s power pop style
– Nashville country music and bluegrass
– Jack White’s garage rock background with The White Stripes
This melting pot of influences gives The Raconteurs a distinctive sound that stands out from Jack White and Brendan Benson’s own solo work. The band combines a retro classic rock style with modern energy and fast-paced songs.
Critics have praised The Raconteurs’ ability to craft catchy melodies and vocal harmonies between White and Benson. Their songs have clever lyrics filled with wordplay and storytelling elements.
Legacy and Impact
Although their catalog is limited to only 2 full-length studio albums, The Raconteurs made an impact in the 2000s garage rock revival. Along with The White Stripes, they helped inspire younger rock bands combining classic blues and punk styles.
Some of their notable achievements include:
– Winning Best International Band at Canada’s Juno Awards in 2008
– Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album (Consolers of the Lonely)
– Headlining major festivals like Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and Osheaga
– Having two albums reach the top 10 on Billboard’s charts
– Songs featured in TV shows, movies, and commercials
– Developing a reputation as an excellent live band with high-energy performances
The Raconteurs also hold importance as a “supergroup” bringing Jack White together with acclaimed power pop singer Brendan Benson. This union resulted in one of White’s most collaborative projects contrasting the intimacy of The White Stripes.
Although their time as an active band has been intermittent, The Raconteurs continue to thrill fans whenever they reconvene to tour and release new music. Their catchy songs and fiery performances ensure their status as a top rock band of the 2000s.
Members’ Other Projects
The four members of The Raconteurs have all developed notable careers both within the band and with their own solo and side projects over the years:
Jack White
– Founded The White Stripes with Meg White, released 6 albums
– Founder of Third Man Records in Detroit
– Formed other groups The Dead Weather and The Upholsterers
– Acclaimed solo career including albums Blunderbuss, Lazaretto, Boarding House Reach
Brendan Benson
– Prolific solo artist with 7 studio albums of power pop/rock
– Collaborations with artists from The White Stripes to Cory Chisel
– Producer and engineer for bands like JEFF the Brotherhood
Jack Lawrence
– Bassist and vocalist in bands like Blanche, City and Colour, and The Dead Weather
– Toured with artists like Tanya Tucker, Loretta Lynn, Wanda Jackson
Patrick Keeler
– Drummer in The Greenhornes, The Afghan Whigs, Arctic Monkeys
– Toured and recorded with artists like Mark Lanegan, Neko Case, Lana Del Rey
The members reconvene when their schedules allow to continue The Raconteurs while pursuing these other endeavors. Fans appreciate this balance where the band feels like a passion project recorded intermittently rather than forced annual releases.
Conclusion
In summary, The Raconteurs are an American rock supergroup formed in 2005 consisting of Jack White, Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence, and Patrick Keeler. Their two albums Broken Boy Soldiers and Consolers of the Lonely made an impact on rock in the 2000s through their blend of power pop, blues, and garage influences. Although going on hiatus for nearly a decade, they remain an acclaimed live band when reuniting to tour and release new music periodically. The Raconteurs represent a fruitful collaboration between acclaimed singer-songwriters White and Benson backed by a rhythm section of experienced musicians. Their songs stand out for catchy melodies, clever lyrics, big guitar riffs, and high-energy performances. The Raconteurs helped define the garage rock revival of the 2000s and inspire newer bands today.
| Name | Role | Other bands |
|---|---|---|
| Jack White | Singer, guitarist | The White Stripes |
| Brendan Benson | Singer, guitarist | Solo artist |
| Jack Lawrence | Bassist | The Dead Weather |
| Patrick Keeler | Drummer | The Greenhornes |
Discography
| Album | Release date |
|---|---|
| Broken Boy Soldiers | May 2006 |
| Consolers of the Lonely | March 2008 |
