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
Justice After All
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The federal bureau was on the street busting out the crime
Well, if I travel every day why you wanna go?
The questions that go unanswered, claiming they don't know
What's your name? who you're after? where you wanna go?
Though entertainer, don't enjoy the show
Well, you could go at it again, that's all you need to know
Running down the blinking eye, trying to get away
Every action, every act, everywhere I stay
Don't we get a little space? can't we get along?
Forgive me if I'm saving face, if I'm new and wrong
What's your name? who you're after? where you wanna go?
Though entertainer, don't enjoy the show
Well, you could go at it again, that's all you need to know
Protect your name and your back, serve it up, don't stick out for all
Running to all my friends, hoping that you'll like
The information has no ends, drop this on a spike
But it brings us altogether so what you gonna?
All the birds of a feather get up on that stew
What's your name? who you're after? where you wanna go?
Though entertainer, don't enjoy the show
Well, you could go at it again, that's all you need to know
Protect your name and your back, serve it up, don't stick out for all
The lyrics of Black Lips's song "Justice After All" are about the hypocrisy of those in power who claim to be fighting crime and dispensing justice, but are themselves corrupt and self-serving. The song begins with the singer walking down the street, thinking about the time when the federal bureau was on the street busting out the crime. However, the singer wonders why they are doing this if crime is happening every day and the questions they ask go unanswered. The singer is suggesting that those in power are not really interested in fighting crime, but are instead motivated by other, more selfish reasons.
The chorus of the song asks several questions: "What's your name? who you're after? where you wanna go?" The singer is addressing those in power and asking what their true motives are. They are also criticizing entertainers who don't speak out against the injustices they see. The singer then says that if you want to go at it again, that's all you need to know. Protect your name and your back and serve it up, but don't stick out for all to see. The singer is suggesting that those in power are only out to protect themselves and that they are not interested in helping anyone else.
The second verse speaks of the singer running away from something while trying to find a little space. They question whether they can get along with others and apologize if they are new and wrong. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the theme of those in power being self-serving and not caring about anyone else.
Overall, "Justice After All" is a commentary on the state of society, where those in power claim to have the best interests of the people at heart, but are ultimately motivated by self-interest. The lyrics encourage listeners to question the motives of those in power and not to blindly follow them.
Line by Line Meaning
I was walking down the street thinking about the time
Reflecting on past events while travelling on foot
The federal bureau was on the street busting out the crime
Federal agency enforcing law and order publicly
Well, if I travel every day why you wanna go?
Questioning need to travel
The questions that go unanswered, claiming they don't know
Uncertainty and evasiveness of those in question
What's your name? who you're after? where you wanna go?
Inquisitive and unsure about someone's intentions
Though entertainer, don't enjoy the show
Unsatisfied with current situation
Well, you could go at it again, that's all you need to know
Encouragement to keep going despite obstacles
Protect your name and your back, serve it up, don't stick out for all
Be cautious and protect your reputation and wellbeing
Running down the blinking eye, trying to get away
Fleeing from danger in a chaotic environment
Every action, every act, everywhere I stay
Consequences of actions in all places
Don't we get a little space? can't we get along?
Desire for cooperation and peaceful coexistence
Forgive me if I'm saving face, if I'm new and wrong
Apology for being inexperienced and making mistakes
Running to all my friends, hoping that you'll like
Seeking validation and support from peers
The information has no ends, drop this on a spike
Endless flow of information and its potential harm
But it brings us altogether so what you gonna?
The power of information to unite people
All the birds of a feather get up on that stew
Joining together despite differences
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vince
I love that everybody in the band sings.
Every voice is genuinely unique and yet they fit perfectly together.
johnnyscifi
macdaddyluigi15
Isn't this sung by their drummer?
Jay Bones
I still love this band but it was a sad day when Joe left. This song is pure joy.
Ruby Redz
Completely different band now
Sam Borley
Joe Bradley without a doubt was the best part of this band. Fuck I miss him.
theghostunderyourbed
Sam Borley do you know if he has a new band?
Dave Elswick
One of my all time favorite bands.
Seen them twice here in Kentucky already. I plan on seeing them many more times.
Zack Hernandez
genialidad a la vieja escuela
Xavier Aymat
Just saw em in Dorado, Puerto RIco. Life's good. Justice after all!
Vincenzo. 667
I can't help myself, but I still hear "you'll be serving up justice after all" instead of "serve it up, don't stick out for all". ^^