Black Square (band)

Black Square
OriginHonolulu, Hawaii, United States
GenresSka, Punk, Reggae
Years active2002–present
MembersJosh86
Brian Kim
Demetri Marmash
T.R.
Jared
Kat Bumbaclot
Ken Lykes
Evan "Babyface" Lewis
Chad "Chiga" Higa
Past membersNick Danger
Mike Hergenraider
Johnny Boto
Mike Bone
Geoff "G-Bone" Siffring
Bianca Vax
Taylor Rice
John Savage
Websitehttp://www.blacksquareband.com/

Black Square is an American ska band from Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. Originally formed in 2002 as a hardcore punk trio, Black Square expanded into a 9-piece in 2023 and currently consists of Josh86 (vocals, guitar), Brian Kim (drums), Kat Bumbaclot (guitar and backing vocals), Demetri Marmash (bass), Jared (trombone, backing vocals), T.R. (alto saxophone, backing vocals), Chiga (trumpet), Ken Lykes (keyboard) and Babyface (tenor saxophone, backing vocals) and. Since expanding to a nine-piece set up Black Square has sought to blend ska, punk, rocksteady, reggae, and hip-hop influences to create a distinct ska sound that maintains the intensity and style of punk rock. The band's name is a reference to Kazimir Malevich's 1915 oil painting of a black square on a plain piece of canvas.

Black Square is one of Hawaii's few touring ska bands and has completed over 12 U.S. mainland tours and 1 tour of Japan. Along with these tours Black Square has also become a local favorite around their hometown of Honolulu. Although primarily from the island of Oahu the band often travels to Hawaii's outer islands such as Maui and the Big Island to perform.[1] Black Square has enjoyed national success and performed on the Vans Warped Tour 2011.[2][3][4]

Black Square has released five albums and has been featured on several compilations.[5][6] Their music has also been featured on Fuel TV, Billabong Surf, Heavy Water, Wahine Blue, Board Stories, the feature film One Kine Day (2011),[7] and the Hawaii International Film Festival award-winning documentary Noho Hewa (2008).[8]

  1. ^ "Hip to be Square". 6 August 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-08-06. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Vans Warped Tour 2011 » Bands » Black Square". Archived from the original on 2011-05-21. Retrieved 2011-06-16.
  3. ^ "Still Hip to be Square". Archived from the original on 2011-06-23. Retrieved 2011-06-16.
  4. ^ "NextDoor's 'Broadcast 420' to feature Black Square, Pimpbot on April 20 - The Hawaii Independent". Thehawaiiindependent.com. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Black Square". Blacksquareband.com. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Island Mele | starbulletin.com | Features | /2008/06/27/". Archives.starbulletin.com. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  7. ^ "One Kine Day Movie, Official Flash Website, information and movie trailers". Onekinemovie.com. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Sponsors". Nohohewa.com. 14 April 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2020.