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
M.I.A.
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Am I in my soul or am I M.I.A?
Am I, am I giving up my cock or am I M.I.A?
Am I in my mind or am I M.I.A?
Just let me know 'cause I don't take it (?)
And when I go here we go (?)
I just don't know but all I really know is (?)
Am I in my mind or am I M.I.A?
Am I in my soul or am I M.I.A?
Am I, am I giving up my cock or am I M.I.A?
Am I in my mind or am I M.I.A?
Just let me know 'cause I don't take it (?)
And when I go here we go (?)
I just don't know but all I really know is (?)
And when I go we're all wake up
The lyrics to Black Lips's song M.I.A. seem to be about questioning one's own identity and existence. The repeated question of whether the singer is "in their mind or am I M.I.A" suggests a feeling of disconnection or confusion. The following line of "am I in my soul or am I M.I.A" may suggest a spiritual or emotional disconnect as well.
The line "am I, am I giving up my cock or am I M.I.A" is more difficult to interpret, but it could suggest a feeling of emasculation or questioning one's masculinity. The repeated phrase "just let me know 'cause I don't take it" could suggest a lack of communication or understanding from others.
Overall, the song seems to be a reflection on the singer's sense of self and place in the world. The repeated questioning and uncertainty suggests a feeling of being lost, but the line "when I go we're all wake up" could suggest a desire to make an impact or leave a mark on the world when the singer eventually passes on.
Line by Line Meaning
Am I in my mind or am I M.I.A?
I'm not sure if I'm absent from my thoughts or if I'm actually missing
Am I in my soul or am I M.I.A?
I don't know if I'm disconnected from my inner self or physically gone
Am I, am I giving up my cock or am I M.I.A?
I'm questioning if I'm losing my power or if I'm just not present
Am I in my mind or am I M.I.A?
I'm still uncertain if I'm mentally absent or missing
Just let me know 'cause I don't take it (?)
Please inform me because I won't tolerate confusion
And when I go here we go (?)
I'm unsure of what happens when I leave
I just don't know but all I really know is (?)
I lack understanding but I do believe in something
And when I go we're all wake up
When I depart, everyone will be alert and aware
Contributed by Juliana O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Selkirk Draws
awesome...killer sound!
psyconetwork951
Definitely one of my favorite "pit" songs by them.
christopher pesce
So good goddamn
Pablo U
One tOf he los mejores roloones