Black Square (Hawaii)

Black Square’s sound can be described as a blend of ska and reggae delivered with the urgency and intensity of punk rock. As reggae music was the backdrop for these Hawaii raised punk rockers, the sound of Black Square came about organically from their musical and geographical upbringing. The band’s name comes from the Russian artist Kasimir Malevich’s 1915 painting of a black square. The theory behind the painting was that the material matter of art was without value and the true value in a work of art was in the feeling it expressed or provoked—without leading the viewer to a specific object based reflection. Black Square seeks to do the same with their music.

Black Square was formed as a Punk/ska trio in 2002 by Josh86, Little Brian Kim and Nick Danger. Influenced by bands like Operation Ivy, Bad Brains, and The Clash, Black Square’s lyrical focus aimed at attempting to raise consciousness concerning political, environmental, cultural, and economic issues—many specific to Hawaii.

GENRE: Punk/Reggae/Ska

MORE INFO: www.myspace.com/blacksquare