The Black Lips is a self-described "flower punk" band which formed in Atlan… Read Full Bio ↴The Black Lips is a self-described "flower punk" band which formed in Atlanta, Georgia, United States in 2000.

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

Mr. Driver
Black Lips Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!

You're in the void
Got you feeling cold
With your voice
'Cause it's your choice
I've got my poise
And he can bring the noise

With my boys
Puking in a Rolls-Royce

I want to bleed on my squire (and I need)
I want a plier (I gotta be)
My empty pile (a disease)
Take some water (lesser than I need)
'Cause I'm vile (can it be?)
Mister Driver

Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!

My pecker's long!
It's got me feeling strong
When I sing this song
And you smoke this bong
Rock it all night long
Will you want to be long?
'Cause we're feeling gone
My sexual VietCong

I want to bleed on my squire (and I need)
I want a plier (I gotta be)
My empty pile (a disease)
Take some water (lesser than I need)
Cause I'm vile (can it be?)
Mister Driver

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh!
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Black Lips's song Mr. Driver are intentionally nonsensical and full of bizarre imagery. They are difficult to interpret in any sort of literal sense, but it seems that they are meant to convey a sense of rebellion, wildness, and excitement. The first stanza describes someone who is feeling out of place in the world and needs to find their own voice - someone who is confident and not afraid to make noise. The second stanza is even more nonsensical, with references to bleeding on a squire and being a sexual VietCong. These lines seem to be nothing more than provocative nonsense, meant to shock and entertain listeners.

Overall, the song seems to be about living life on the edge, embracing excess, and rejecting society's norms. It's a celebration of recklessness and rebellion, and it's sure to appeal to anyone who wants to let loose and have a good time.

Line by Line Meaning

You're in the void
You feel empty and lost

Got you feeling cold
You feel disconnected and emotionless

With your voice
Through your actions and words

'Cause it's your choice
You have the power to choose

I've got my poise
I am collected and confident

And he can bring the noise
I can cause a scene and make noise

With my boys
Together with my group of friends

Puking in a Rolls-Royce
We are wealthy and reckless

I want to bleed on my squire (and I need)
I want to express myself freely and creatively

I want a plier (I gotta be)
I need a tool to help me achieve what I want

My empty pile (a disease)
My possessions and material goods bring no joy and feel like a burden

Take some water (lesser than I need)
I settle for less than I deserve

'Cause I'm vile (can it be?)
I feel unworthy of love and respect

Mister Driver
Addressing the person driving the car and possibly blaming them for their problems

My pecker's long!
I feel sexually powerful and confident

It's got me feeling strong
I feel physically and emotionally strong from my sexual prowess

When I sing this song
This song empowers me and makes me feel good

And you smoke this bong
You also seek pleasure and a sense of escape through drugs

Rock it all night long
Keep enjoying the moment and feeling good

Will you want to be long?
Do you want to stay and enjoy this good feeling?

'Cause we're feeling gone
We are losing ourselves in pleasure and forgetting our problems

My sexual VietCong
My sexual prowess is like warfare, powerful and dangerous

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Cole Alexander, Ian St. Pe Brown, Jared Swilley, Joseph Bradley

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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