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
Cold Hands
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We get along and their very boones decay
Try to find what little else remain
My heart still beating but I'm feeling so restrained
You try to make a living by using what you got
But the way that it's been going
Well you gonna get shot
Missfortune passed down from long times ago
Been rendered senseless in a temple made of gold
I heard you're really out here all alone
I'm stuck in limbo and you're perched atop a throne
You try to make a living by using what you got
But the way that it's been going
Well you better run fast
He's an old cold hand
Subconsciousness been splayed on cankered brains
We get along and their very boones decay
Try to find what little else remain
My heart still beating but I'm feeling so restrained
You try to make a living by using what you got
But the way that it's been going
Well you gonna get shot
He's an old cold hand
You try to make a living by using what you got
But the way that it's been going
Well you better run fast
He's an old cold hand
He's an old cold hand
He's an old cold hand
The song "Cold Hands" by Black Lips is a reflection on the struggles of life and the ways in which individuals cope with difficult circumstances. The lyrics suggest a sense of desperation and resignation, as the singer describes the impact of "misfortune passed down from long times ago" and the decay of "very bones." The repetition of the phrase "old cold hand" suggests a larger force or entity that is at work in the world, perhaps representing the harsh realities of fate or circumstance that can make life difficult and unpredictable.
One recurring theme in the song is the idea of making a living or finding a way to survive in the face of adversity. The lyrics suggest that while individuals may do their best to use their resources and talents to get by, there are larger forces at work that can hinder or even endanger them. The repeated warning that "you gonna get shot" adds a sense of urgency and danger to the song, suggesting that even the most well-intentioned efforts to survive can be met with violence or harm.
Overall, "Cold Hands" is a dark and introspective song that grapples with the challenges of life and the ways in which individuals try to navigate them. The repeated refrain of the "old cold hand" creates a sense of inevitability and powerlessness, underscoring the sense of struggle and resignation that permeates the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Subconsciousness been splayed on cankered brains
Our deepest thoughts and desires are exposed on our damaged minds
We get along and their very boones decay
We form relationships that ultimately bring us down
Try to find what little else remain
We search for something to hold on to in our deteriorating lives
My heart still beating but I'm feeling so restrained
I am alive, but trapped and limited in what I can do
You try to make a living by using what you got
You do what you can to survive
But the way that it's been going
Things are not going well
Well you gonna get shot
You're going to get hurt
He's an old cold hand
He is experienced and ruthless
Missfortune passed down from long times ago
I am burdened by the misfortunes of my ancestors
Been rendered senseless in a temple made of gold
My sense of purpose has been lost in a world of materialism
I heard you're really out here all alone
I hear that you are alone in this difficult world
I'm stuck in limbo and you're perched atop a throne
I am unable to progress while you thrive
Well you better run fast
You need to move quickly to avoid danger
He's an old cold hand
He is experienced and ruthless
He's an old cold hand
He is experienced and ruthless
He's an old cold hand
He is experienced and ruthless
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JMac-fj1rg
Subconsciousness been splayed on cankered brains
We get along and their very boones decay
Try to find what little else remain
My heart still beating but I'm feeling so restrained
You try to make a living by using what you got
But the way that it's been going
Well, you gonna get shot
He's an old cold hand
Missfortune passed down from long times ago
Been rendered senseless in a temple made of gold
I heard you're really out here all alone
I'm stuck in limbo and you're perched atop a throne
You try to make a living by using what you got
But the way that it's been going
Well, you better run fast
He's an old cold hand
Subconsciousness been splayed on cankered brains
We get along and their very boones decay
Try to find what little else remain
My heart still beating but I'm feeling so restrained
You try to make a living by using what you got
But the way that it's been going
Well, you gonna get shot
He's an old cold hand
You try to make a living by using what you got
But the way that it's been going
Well, you better run fast
He's an old cold hand
He's an old cold hand
He's an old cold hand