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
New Direction
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(I've been looking in a new direction)
Starting down, I'm gettin in store
The world is clear from upper cores
(I've been looking in a new direction)
I want to laugh and I want to cry
I want to spit, but my mouth is dry
Where did they go?
Now and then I'm like a black bird
Setting in and giving cracker
(I've been looking in a new direction)
Face the mirror, start to change
I'm paranoid and feeling strange
(I've been looking in a new direction)
I want to laugh and I want to cry
I want to spit, but my mouth is dry
I want to run but I can't 'cause my legs don't go!
Where did they go?
Living like a pharisee, I walk around and lucid dream
(I've been looking in a new direction)
The day has past, the moon's a glow
I've lied awake, my eyes are closed
(I've been looking in a new direction)
I've been looking in a new direction
I've been looking in a new direction
I've been looking at a nude erection
The lyrics to Black Lips' song "New Direction" describe a person's journey of self-discovery and the desire to break free from the constraints of their life. The opening lines, "Going on a vision quest, surf the mountain, ride the crest," suggest a search for something more significant and a willingness to take risks to find it. The lyrics continue to describe the person's struggle to leave their past behind and embrace a new way of living.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses conflicting emotions - a desire to laugh and cry, to run and be free, but also feeling trapped and unable to move forward. The line, "Living like a pharisee, I walk around and lucid dream," suggests a feeling of hypocrisy and an awareness that their current way of life is not true to who they really are.
Overall, the song seems to be about the process of self-discovery and the desire to find a new path in life, even if it means leaving behind what is familiar and comfortable.
Line by Line Meaning
Going on a vision quest, surf the mountain, ride the crest
I've been searching for a new way of life or experience that will challenge me and help me grow, similar to riding a wave on a mountain.
Starting down, I'm gettin in store, The world is clear from upper cores
I'm beginning to embrace this new direction and see the world with a new clarity and insight.
I want to laugh and I want to cry, I want to spit, but my mouth is dry, I want to run but I can't 'cause my legs don't go! Where did they go?
I am experiencing a range of emotions and desires, but I am unable to act on them due to some unknown obstacle or limitation.
Now and then I'm like a black bird, Setting in and giving cracker
I sometimes feel like an outsider observing the world, but I also want to participate and contribute to it.
Face the mirror, start to change, I'm paranoid and feeling strange
I am trying to improve myself and my situation, but this process is causing me anxiety and discomfort.
Living like a pharisee, I walk around and lucid dream
I am living a double life or being hypocritical in some way, and I often escape into my own imagination.
The day has past, the moon's a glow, I've lied awake, my eyes are closed
I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my life and the changes I want to make, but I am still unsure how to move forward.
I've been looking in a new direction
I am actively seeking a different path or perspective.
I've been looking at a nude erection
This line is not associated with any insightful or detailed rewording, as it appears to be a nonsensical addition to the song's lyrics.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Cole Alexander, Ian St. Pe Brown, Jared Swilley, Joseph Bradley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mr.Paul Pacheco
No band can compare to this one! :)
Dave Elswick
Saw them live last weekend. Awesome show.
Dilly Mackey
Great job.
alleiN
I thought this was an older song when I first heard it on the T-Mobile commercial. It's such an infectious, pleasantly retro song! And the video cracks me up!
Codename
Thanks Off The Air. Just remembered this gem.
Fred Morris
if you like this you might like my brothers music. His name is Stu Morris.,,
Logan Slater
How can anyone hate this song or band?
Fred Morris
if you like this you might like my brothers music. His name is Stu Morris.,,
Btwist95
great song!
The Skoolmustard
Gosh, they have such a style to this song ;w;