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
Can't Dance
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, you can't do a barricade
(?) and all their guns
And you know I'm thinking too and you're sick of mine
But I know what you're doing, do all the cruel
Get your mind on the way and (?) out
Hey, man, what you're doing to me?
Hey, man, what you're doing to me?
Hey, man, what you're doing to me?
Well, I own you, what you're doing?
I own you, get out of the way
Well, you're thinking of guns, you know it's (?)
You've had it done, (?)
But I know what you're doing, do all the cruel
Get your mind on the way and (?) out
Hey, man, what you're doing to me?
Hey, man, what you're doing to me?
Hey, man, what you're doing to me?
Hey, man, what you're doing to me
Doing to me, doing to me, doing to me, doing to me
Doing to me, doing to me, hey-hey-hey?
The lyrics to the Black Lips's song Can't Dance appear to be nonsensical and disconnected, lacking a clear narrative or comprehensible structure. The opening lines of "Well, you can't do and you can't dance" evoke a sense of frustration and limitations, suggesting that the singer is unable to participate fully in some social or cultural activity. This is reinforced by the following line, "Well, you can't do a barricade," which further emphasizes a lack of agency and power.
The subsequent lines of "snakes and all their guns" present a chaotic and menacing image, perhaps alluding to some kind of violent conflict or danger. However, the lyrics quickly shift to seemingly unrelated phrases like "Get your mind on the way and (?) out," which further obfuscates any coherent meaning. The repeated refrain of "Hey, man, what you're doing to me?" adds a sense of urgency and frustration, but without context or explanation, it remains ambiguous what is being done to the singer and by whom.
Overall, the lyrics to Can't Dance convey a sense of disjointedness, frustration, and uncertainty. The lack of clear imagery or narrative structure suggests an attempt to capture a mood or atmosphere rather than tell a cohesive story.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you can't do and you can't dance
You have no skills or ability to move gracefully, and this is a problem for us.
Well, you can't do a barricade
You're not even capable of building a barricade, which is a very basic task. This means you're useless.
(?) and all their guns
Your lack of abilities and skills makes you rely on weapons to feel powerful.
And you know I'm thinking too and you're sick of mine
You're aware that I'm onto you and you're tired of me trying to expose your weaknesses.
But I know what you're doing, do all the cruel
I see through your actions, which are always malicious.
Get your mind on the way and (?) out
Stop blocking your own path to growth and success and get out of your own way.
Hey, man, what you're doing to me?
You're causing me harm and frustration with your actions.
Well, I own you, what you're doing?
I have power over you, so what are you trying to accomplish by acting this way?
I own you, get out of the way
I control you, so stop hindering my progress and move aside.
Well, you're thinking of guns, you know it's (?)
You always resort to violence and weaponry, which is a sign of your weakness.
You've had it done, (?)
You've been defeated and are currently powerless.
Doing to me, doing to me, doing to me, doing to me
Your actions are constantly causing harm and frustration to me.
Doing to me, doing to me, hey-hey-hey?
Why do you continue to inflict pain and harm on me?
Contributed by Parker V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Steve Amaya
I loved covering this song!!!
YOUNGWANTS OFFICIAL
easily my fav black lips song
Jetwolfe
so good
OLDMAN JENKINS
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!