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
Funny
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cause something', is bout to get gone
We love it, callin' mayday
SOS, I don't know, wheres my baby
I don't feel so corny now
now that the worlds turned upside down!
I'm that boy who thinks its funny
I feel like I'm going down in the same round
A thought in my mind made me hear that empty sound
I'm that boy who thinks its funny
So funny
We're ridin', little lady
Come and suck some milk from my titties!
I love you like an eskimo hand grenade
Pull the clip little baby lets explode today!
I don't feel so corny now
now that the worlds turned upside down!
I'm that boy who thinks its funny
I feel like I'm going down in the same round
A thought in my mind made me hear that empty sound
I'm that boy who thinks its funny
I don't feel so corny now
now that the worlds turned upside down!
I'm that boy who thinks its funny
I feel like I'm going down in the same round
A thought in my mind made me hear that empty sound
I'm that boy who thinks its funny
The Black Lips' song "Funny" is a chaotic and nonsensical exploration of the absurdity of life. The opening lines invite the listener to join the band on a wild ride, asking if they are "headstrong" enough to handle it. The lyrics become more surreal as they go on, with the band calling out for help ("Mayday" and "SOS") while simultaneously celebrating the chaos around them. The chorus repeats several times, with lead singer Cole Alexander declaring himself to be "that boy who thinks it's funny." The final stanza conjures up strange images of an Eskimo hand grenade and a "little lady" coming to "suck some milk" from Alexander's "titties."
In interpreting the song, it's important to note the underlying sense of irony and detachment. Alexander's declaration that he finds the world "funny" may be read as a coping mechanism, a way of dealing with the absurdity of life. The chorus suggests a sense of nihilism, a belief that everything is ultimately meaningless. Nevertheless, there is a rebellious sense of joy in the midst of this chaos; the band seems to revel in their own absurdity.
Line by Line Meaning
We're rollin, are you headstrong?
We're moving forward, are you ready and ready to fight?
Cause something', is bout to get gone
Something is about to disappear, let's see what happens.
We love it, callin' mayday
We're enjoying the chaos and we may need help soon.
SOS, I don't know, wheres my baby
I'm in trouble and I don't know where my loved one is.
I don't feel so corny now
I don't feel clichéd anymore.
now that the worlds turned upside down!
Since everything is chaotic and unpredictable, I feel more comfortable with my quirks.
I'm that boy who thinks its funny
I'm the person who finds humor in unexpected situations and makes others laugh along with me.
I feel like I'm going down in the same round
I feel like I'm stuck in the same cycle of problems and failures.
A thought in my mind made me hear that empty sound
A negative thought is echoing in my mind.
We're ridin', little lady
We're going on a wild ride, with a female companion.
Come and suck some milk from my titties!
Let's indulge in some taboo, shocking behavior.
I love you like an eskimo hand grenade
I love you passionately and recklessly, like a dangerous weapon.
Pull the clip little baby lets explode today!
Let's live recklessly and dangerously, without concern for the consequences.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: COLE ALEXANDER, IAN ST PE BROWN, JARED SWILLEY, JOSEPH BRADLEY, PATRICK JAMES CARNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
william chiarello
How this band isn't bigger than what they are is crazy, very underrated band
Bernadette
Right !? How cool are their guitars.
Fred Morris
if you like this you might like my brothers music. His name is Stu Morris
Katherine Mae
definitely one of my favorites on the album. so rad.
Betty Jo
Same
Kooks Kukla
I love singing this song. I've been playing the album nonstop.
I wish I didn't miss seeing them this tour.
denisse johnson
FABULOUS thank you for your music ❤
Fred Morris
if you like this you might like my brothers music. His name is Stu Morris
Ryan Chapman
the greatest band alive
Fred Morris
if you like this you might like my brothers music. His name is Stu Morris