The Black Lips is a self-described "flower punk" band which formed in Atlan… Read Full Bio ↴The Black Lips is a self-described "flower punk" band which formed in Atlanta, Georgia, United States in 2000.

While still teenagers, they formed after guitarist Cole Alexander and bassist Jared Swilley left the Renegades, and guitarist Ben Eberbaugh left the Reruns. Drummer Joe Bradley joined a few months later. They released their first 7" in late 2001/early 2002 on their own Die Slaughterhaus label.

Just days before a tour was to begin in December 2002, Ben Eberbaugh was killed in a car accident after his car was hit by a drunk driver. The band carried on believing that Eberbaugh would want them to continue.

The band's debut full length album was released on Bomp! Records in 2003. Eberbaugh was replaced by Jack Hines, a friend of the band members, but he too was eventually replaced by current guitarist, and former Renegades member, Ian St. Pe , in 2004.

The Black Lips have a reputation for crazy live shows that have included vomiting, urinating, nudity, band members kissing, fireworks, and a chicken. They have slowly built a fanbase that appreciates their energy and style that is a rough mishmash of blues, rock, doo-wop, country, and punk.

They gained national attention in 2006 with features in Spin and Rolling Stone magazines. The band got exposure in the New York Times for being the hardest working band during the 2007 South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, in which they played a dozen shows over a three-day period.

In September 2007 their most recent album entitled Good Bad Not Evil was released. The Black Lips made their American national television debut in October 2007 on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and played O Katrina.

The band also has songs from previous recording sessions, and they will eventually be released by In The Red Records.

The Black Lips are going to star in a film called Let It Be. They will play musicians in a fictitious '1980s era DIY band called The Renegades. The movie is set for production in 2008.

Cole, Jared and Joe also play in a band called The Spooks, along with members of Deerhunter and The Kiwis. The Spooks have recorded an album which should be released in 2007 or 2008 on the Die Slaughterhaus label. Ian also plays in a blasphemous garage punk band called The Original Three. There is a full length record out on Empty records and a single out on SYA records (Italy). The Original Three will have a new single coming out in December 2007 on Savage records (Sweden). Jared plays in a band called The Gaye Blades. Rob's House Records has released one 7" by The Gaye Blades, and another one should be released before the end of 2007. Cole has also released solo material under the name Old King Cole Younger. There is one split 10" release of his material on Rob's House Records that features Bradford Cox of Deerhunter, under the name of Atlas Sound, on the other side.

In 2009, the band released their fifth album, "200 Million Thousand", on Vice Records.

Band Members

* Cole Alexander (Old King Cole Younger) - Vocals, Guitar (2000 - present)
* Jared Swilley - Vocals, Bass Guitar (2000 - present)
* Joe Bradley - Vocals, Drums (2000 - present)
* Ian St. Pe - Guitar (2005 - 2014)
* Jack Hines - former Guitar (2002 - 2005, 2014 - present)
* Ben Eberbaugh - Guitarz(2000 - 2002) - deceased

Again
Black Lips Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I walked in step
Past the old times
I would fly
In a long field of bleeding death
And there was no sound at all
And I moved fast to look around
And I saw
Stand beside me one another

And the grounds steady

Again & Again

And I move fast on it
Back in the womb
My eyes were wide open
My feet were on the ground

I knew what could never quiet me
Felt so

Overall Meaning

alive

"Again & Again" by Black Lips is a song that captures a sense of nostalgia and longing for a different time. The lyrics paint a picture of the singer walking through past experiences and memories, reflecting on the passage of time. The opening lines, "I walked in step, past the old times, I would fly, in a long field of bleeding death," suggest a journey through the past, where the singer is confronted with both positive and negative memories. The phrase "bleeding death" may symbolize the pain and suffering that is inherent in life and how it is interwoven with joyful moments.

As the song progresses, the lyrics express a desire for companionship and solidarity. The line "Stand beside me one another, and the grounds steady" speaks to the importance of having someone by your side, providing support and stability in the face of life's uncertainties. The repetition of the phrase "Again & Again" throughout the song emphasizes the cyclical nature of life, where we often find ourselves revisiting familiar patterns and emotions.

The second verse touches upon a profound sense of self-awareness and a connection to one's roots. The singer reminisces about being in the womb, a time before birth when their eyes were wide open and their feet were on the ground. This imagery represents a state of pure existence and consciousness, unburdened by the complexities and challenges of life. The phrase "my eyes were wide open" suggests a heightened level of awareness, possibly referring to the clarity and innocence of childhood.

Line by Line Meaning

I walked in step
I was moving forward with confidence and purpose

Past the old times
Leaving behind previous experiences and moving towards the future

I would fly
I would feel a sense of liberation and freedom

In a long field of bleeding death
In a place filled with pain and suffering

And there was no sound at all
There was complete silence and stillness

And I moved fast to look around
I quickly searched my surroundings

And I saw
I observed

Stand beside me one another
Others standing by my side, offering support and companionship

And the grounds steady
The stability and firmness of the ground beneath my feet

Again & Again
Repeatedly, over and over

And I move fast on it
I swiftly take action upon the opportunity or situation