Blackbirds

Blackbirds is a group name used by more than one act, including a hardcore/punk band from Michigan, an Australian trio from Byron Bay, and a German band originally formed in south-west Germany.

Hardcore/punk band

The Michigan Blackbirds play hardcore and punk. Some of the members come from Canada. Their earlier material takes cues from American Nightmare, Outbreak and 97A, while later material moves towards the sound of His Hero Is Gone and Tragedy. The band is active again with a new lineup, has new releases planned, and is touring. It is not associated with blackdog records.

Australian trio

The Byron Bay Blackbirds are a trio made up of Timorese vocalist and ukelele player Benhur Helwend, Jamaican singer Renee Simone, who is described as Harry Belafonte’s grand niece, and Indonesian guitarist Adi Noersadi. They play feel-good, island-style music.

German band

The German Blackbirds, originally formed in south-west Germany, release their first album, No Destination, on the UK label Saga in 1968. Their music combines psychedelic beat and pop with satirical touches reminiscent of the Mothers of Invention, along with some progressive elements. Singer and guitarist Werner Breinig and Hammond organ player Hubert Koop are central to the group’s sound.

The German label OPP later issues five tracks from No Destination on Snake in the Grass. The band’s second album, A Touch Of Music, appears in 1971 on OPP with a completely new line-up apart from Werner Breinig, who also plays violin and flute. On this record, the group adopts a more poetic, classically influenced progressive style, with longer tracks and stronger passages. The band disbands after these two albums. Both original albums later receive reissues with bonus tracks on the German label Long Hair.