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
Katrina
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You stole my heart way down in New Orleans
I can't believe what I saw on the tv screen
Oh, Katrina, why can't you be serene?
Oh, Katrina (oh, Katrina)
Oh, Katrina (oh, Katrina)
(Oh, Katrina) why you gotta be mean?
Oh, Katrina, why you gotta be mean?
You stole my heart way down in New Orleans
I can't believe what I saw on the tv screen
Oh, Katrina, why can't you be serene?
Oh, Katrina (oh, Katrina)
Oh, Katrina (oh, Katrina)
(Oh, Katrina) why you gotta be mean?
(Oh, Katrina) why you gotta be?
Oh, Katrina (oh, Katrina)
Oh, Katrina (oh, Katrina)
Oh, Katrina (oh, Katrina)
Oh, Katrina, oh,
(Oh, Katrina) why you gotta be mean now?
(Oh, Katrina) why you gotta be mean?
(Oh, Katrina) oh, why you gotta be mean now?
(Oh, Katrina) oh, Katrina, no
Oh, Katrina, no
Why you gotta be mean now?
Why you gotta be mean?
Oh, why you gotta be mean now?
The Black Lips wrote this song about Hurricane Katrina, which hit New Orleans and the surrounding areas in August 2005, causing an immense amount of devastation and loss of life. In this song, the lead vocalist is expressing his frustration and sadness over the events that took place during the hurricane and its aftermath. He is addressing Katrina as if she were a person and asking why she had to be so destructive and mean, while also acknowledging the significance that New Orleans held for him and others who were affected by the disaster.
The repetition of the line "Oh, Katrina, why you gotta be mean?" emphasizes the singer's disbelief and grief over what had happened. The line "You stole my heart way down in New Orleans" adds another layer of emotional depth, implying that New Orleans was not just a physical location but also a place that held special memories and meaning for the singer. The line "I can't believe what I saw on the tv screen" further emphasizes the surreal and shocking nature of the disaster.
The Black Lips wrote this song as a tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina and to raise awareness about the ongoing struggles faced by the city of New Orleans in its recovery efforts. The song was included on the band's 2007 album "Good Bad Not Evil" and has since become one of their most well-known and popular tunes.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Katrina, why you gotta be mean?
The singer expresses his frustration and sadness towards Hurricane Katrina, as he blames the disaster for ruining his life.
You stole my heart way down in New Orleans
The singer reminisces about his time in New Orleans, where he fell in love with the city and its people.
I can't believe what I saw on the TV screen
The singer is in disbelief at the destruction and chaos caused by Hurricane Katrina, which he witnessed through the media.
Oh, Katrina, why can't you be serene?
The singer expresses his wish for Hurricane Katrina to have been calm and peaceful, instead of the devastating and deadly natural disaster it was.
Oh, Katrina (oh, Katrina)
The repeated mention of the name 'Katrina' serves as a way for the singer to directly address and speak to the hurricane.
(Oh, Katrina) why you gotta be mean?
The singer repeats his question to Hurricane Katrina, asking why it had to cause so much damage and destruction.
(Oh, Katrina) why you gotta be?
The singer continues to ask why the hurricane had to exist, causing so much harm and suffering.
Oh, Katrina, oh
The singer addresses Hurricane Katrina with a sense of longing, as if he is calling out to someone he deeply misses.
(Oh, Katrina) why you gotta be mean now?
The singer emphasizes his frustration with the current state of things, speaking to Hurricane Katrina as if he is still dealing with its aftermath.
(Oh, Katrina) oh, why you gotta be mean now?
The singer repeats his question, seemingly still struggling to come to terms with the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina.
(Oh, Katrina) oh, Katrina, no
The singer addresses Hurricane Katrina like a person, expressing his disappointment and disbelief at what it has done.
Oh, Katrina, no
The singer reacts to the hurricane's actions with a sense of despair and defeat, as if he has given up on finding any meaning in the disaster.
Why you gotta be mean now?
The singer repeats his question one final time, pleading for an answer that will never come.
Why you gotta be mean?
The song ends with the singer's repeated question, expressing his continued frustration and inability to understand why Hurricane Katrina happened.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Anders Osborne, John Scott Sherrill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BeautYsa D'MSP
O, Katrina! Why you gotta be mean?
You saw a highway down in New Orleans
I can't believe what I saw on the telescreen
O, Katrina! Why could you be so mean?
O, Katrina! (O, Katrina!)
O, Katrina! (O, Katrina!)
O, Katrina! (O, Katrina!)
Why you gotta be mean
(O, Katrina!)
Why you gotta be...
O, Katrina! Why you gotta be mean?
You saw a highway down in New Orleans
I can't believe what I saw on the telescreen
O, Katrina! Why could you be so mean?
O, Katrina! (O, Katrina!)
O, Katrina! (O, Katrina!)
O, Katrina! (O, Katrina!)
Why you gotta be mean?
(O, Katrina!)
Why you gotta be mean now
CHOO CHOO
Amazing song, indeed. And what a great Liveband they are. Caught them live at the Magic Stick in Detroit. amazing show
Joshua Gargalione
I love this 60s garage revival band
emiliomartin
great band, great song. black lips is great.
alansready
this is such a great band. i just loved them . they are my favorite of all the new bands. I think that maybe Yardbirds were the best band of the 1960 and they are redoing their music..
Blinutne
As someone who lost a home, a community and a way of life to this storm, this personification really makes me smile...like this ------> :-D
Matthew D Garmager
The greatest rock and roll band on the planet! Such a fun video, thanks!
Whoah Dude Productions (K. Ethan McIntyre)
I was in the music shop the other day and this song came on. I never heard it before but I loved it because the name of my first crush was Katrina, and let's just say, she lead me to write my first anger song... bitch. I'd like to thank her for inspiring me though. Katrina, if you are reading this, thank you very much!
Molly Meet
soo good, really uplifting song
Sean Findley
greatest band of all time. hope they dont end up on mtv though.
Trevor Steele
My favorite Black Lips song on my favorite Black Lips album!