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
Dorner Party
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I won't be staying with my mother
I'm gonna lose control
I'm going out on my own patrol, but you won't see me with another
I don't think I'll run away
Maybe I will some other day
But for now, I'm back a while, I'll say
I'm looking down the view from the hilltop
I can't tell the Ranger from a real cop
They seem like just the same, all out to smear my name
What can I do to make them all stop?
I don't think I'll run away
Maybe I will some other day
But for now, I'm back a while, I'll say
Why don't you come out here and play?
Well my mind is burning with this reason
cos you can't burn the house down in this season
Get the cameras out of here, but you can shoot from over there
Never mind the fire, cos we'll freeze him
I don't think I'll run away
Maybe I will some other day
But for now, I'm back a while, I'll say
Why don't you come out here and play?
The Black Lips' song "Dorner Party" tells the story of Christopher Dorner, a former LAPD officer who went on a killing spree in Southern California in 2013. Dorner claimed he was wrongfully terminated from his job and was seeking revenge against those who he believed had wronged him. He was eventually cornered by law enforcement and died in a standoff.
In the first verse, the singer is acknowledging that while people may be trying to find Dorner, they will not be staying with their mother and will be taking matters into their own hands. They are going out on their "own patrol" and will not be seen with anyone else, implying they are seeking justice or revenge just like Dorner.
The second verse describes the singer's skepticism towards authority figures such as Rangers and cops, believing they are all out to ruin their name. The singer questions what they can do to make them all stop, perhaps suggesting they feel similarly wronged and unsupported by those in positions of power.
The final verse seems to acknowledge the destruction that comes with seeking revenge without considering the consequences. The singer's mind is burning with the reason for their actions, but they cannot burn the house down in this season, perhaps alluding to the fact that their actions are not justified despite their grievances. The final line "Never mind the fire, cos we'll freeze him" is a reference to the events that led to Dorner's death, as he ended up dying in a burning cabin during the standoff with law enforcement.
Overall, the song portrays a sense of disillusionment with authority and a desire for justice or revenge, but also acknowledges the destruction and harm that can come from such actions.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're trying to find him, well you're gonna
It's inevitable that he will be found, whether he wants to be or not
But I won't be staying with my mother
He's not interested in hiding out with family or anyone else
I'm gonna lose control
He's not going to be able to maintain his composure
I'm going out on my own patrol, but you won't see me with another
He's planning to take matters into his own hands without any help from others
I don't think I'll run away
He's not planning on running away from the situation at hand
Maybe I will some other day
He's not ruling out the possibility of running away in the future
But for now, I'm back a while, I'll say
He's planning on sticking around for the time being
Why don't you come out here and play?
He's inviting someone to join him in whatever he has planned
I'm looking down the view from the hilltop
He's surveying the area from a high vantage point
I can't tell the Ranger from a real cop
He's having trouble distinguishing between law enforcement and park rangers
They seem like just the same, all out to smear my name
He feels that law enforcement is out to get him and ruin his reputation
What can I do to make them all stop?
He's frustrated and unsure of how to deal with the situation
Well my mind is burning with this reason
He's consumed by his own thoughts and motivations
cos you can't burn the house down in this season
He's making a reference to how the time of year affects his actions
Get the cameras out of here, but you can shoot from over there
He doesn't want surveillance cameras in the area, but is allowing for long range photography
Never mind the fire, cos we'll freeze him
He's not concerned with the potential consequences of his actions
Contributed by Ethan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.