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
Finale: Sunday Mourning
Black Lips Lyrics
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He looked at me and he said
"Saul... you're a miserable man"
He had a bag of magic beans
In the song Finale: Sunday Mourning by Black Lips, the singer is recounting a strange encounter with a charioteer that he came across while driving on the highway. The charioteer seems to have some sort of mystical power as he comments on the singer's current emotional state, telling him that he is "a miserable man." This interaction seems to be a turning point for the singer, perhaps leading him to reflect on his own life and the choices he has made up until this point. The charioteer's possession of a bag of magic beans adds to the surreal nature of the encounter and suggests that there may be deeper layers of meaning to uncover in the lyrics.
Overall, the song seems to be exploring themes of mortality, regret, and the search for meaning in life. The singer's encounter with the charioteer may represent a moment of realization or awakening, forcing him to confront some uncomfortable truths about himself and his place in the world. The inclusion of magical elements, such as the bag of magic beans, adds to the dreamlike quality of the song and invites interpretation on many different levels.
Line by Line Meaning
Then I came across the charioteer under some highway
While walking along the highway, I stumbled upon a man who appeared to be driving a chariot.
He looked at me and he said "Saul... you're a miserable man"
The charioteer evaluated me and declared that I am a wretched human being.
He had a bag of magic beans
The charioteer possessed a sack containing enchanted legumes.
Contributed by Chloe L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.