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
It Feels Alright
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You better check your past make sure you've been nice,
If you ask me for advice
I would say stop and think before you roll the dice,
Bring that rabbit's foot along with you,
Double up a four-leaf clover and a lucky horseshoe,
Better avoid the black cats and them ladders too,
And don't you step on a crack 'cause you know what it do
My head is spinning it feels alright
I've got a clean shirt and my shoes are nice
Peachtree and 5th is the jump off tonight
The Magic City titties is looking alright
The lyrics to Black Lips' song "It Feels Alright" are a warning against tempting fate and embracing luck. The opening lines caution the listener against bad luck striking twice and suggest that they review their past actions to ensure that they have been good. The advice then given is to be cautious and contemplative before one takes a risk. The singer suggests that the listener should bring along their lucky symbols, such as a rabbit's foot or a four-leaf clover, and to avoid black cats, ladders, and cracks in the pavement. The singer suggests that simple precautions can help avert disaster and bring about good fortune.
The second half of the song offers a snapshot of the singer's life. He boasts of feeling confident and well-dressed, with a chance to have a good time in the company of some attractive women. The description of his surroundings includes specific references to Peachtree and 5th, indicating that he is in a specific place, the Magic City, and that he feels positive about his surroundings. The carefree attitude of the singer in the second half of the song can be seen as a contrast to the cautionary advice offered earlier.
"It Feels Alright" was first released in 2007 and is one of the most popular songs by the Black Lips. The song has been described as a garage rock tune with a psychedelic edge. The song was produced by Mark Ronson, who has also worked with artists like Amy Winehouse and Adele. The Black Lips were formed in Atlanta in 1999 and the song "It Feels Alright" was included on their fourth studio album, "Good Bad Not Evil." The song has been popular with fans and critics and has been covered by several other artists.
Line by Line Meaning
Bad luck, it could happen twice
Be careful and watch out for bad things. They could happen to you more than one time.
You better check your past make sure you've been nice
Before making any decisions, think about your past actions to make sure you have not done anything wrong.
If you ask me for advice
I would say stop and think before you roll the dice
If you need advice, I suggest you think twice before making a big decision or taking a risk.
Bring that rabbit's foot along with you
Take a lucky charm, like a rabbit's foot, with you to bring good luck.
Double up a four-leaf clover and a lucky horseshoe
Take more than one lucky charm, like a four-leaf clover and a horseshoe, to increase the chances of good luck.
Better avoid the black cats and them ladders too
Avoid black cats and ladders because they are believed to be bad luck.
And don't you step on a crack 'cause you know what it do
Avoid stepping on cracks, which is believed to bring bad luck.
My head is spinning it feels alright
Despite the risks and superstitions, I feel excited about what's to come.
I've got a clean shirt and my shoes are nice
I am dressed well and ready for a night out.
Peachtree and 5th is the jump off tonight
The place to be tonight is Peachtree and 5th.
The Magic City titties is looking alright
The club Magic City has attractive women tonight.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Johann Willenberg, Lawrence Huskinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind