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
Noc‐a‐homa
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dancing circles on a summer night
Children laughing at his expense
Chucking more peanuts at a broken man
He'll keep waving Tomahawk in hand
His headdress is a flower
He ain't no stinking coward
I wish other people can see
Noc-A-Homa
Noc-A-Homa
Noc-A-Homa
Just like you and me
Everybody's leaving and the lights are on
He's got nowhere to lie when the crowd dissolves
He's just trying to root for the team
He's a one man tribe and a dying breed
And if you stab at him, well he'll surely be
His headdress is a flower
He ain't no stinking coward
I wish other people can see
Noc-A-Homa
Noc-A-Homa
Noc-A-Homa
Just like you and me
Noc-A-Homa
Noc-A-Homa
Noc-A-Homa
Just like you and me
The lyrics to Black Lips' song "Noc-A-Homa" portray the story of a lonely figure, represented as a Native American chief, known as Noc-A-Homa. The first verse sets the scene of Noc-A-Homa standing alone in the sky, resembling a lonely tipi. He is seen dancing in circles on a summer night while children mock him and throw peanuts at him, further belittling him. Despite this, he continues to hold his Tomahawk, refusing to back down. The lyrics suggest that Noc-A-Homa's headdress is a flower, symbolizing his strength and resilience. The repeated phrase "I wish other people can see" indicates the singer's desire for others to recognize and acknowledge the humanity in Noc-A-Homa.
In the second verse, it is revealed that the crowd is leaving and the lights are on. Noc-A-Homa finds himself with no place to rest when the audience disappears. The lyrics highlight that he is simply trying to root for the team, emphasizing his loyalty and dedication. He is depicted as a one-man tribe, representing a dying breed. Even if attacked, Noc-A-Homa will not be defeated easily. The flower headdress once again symbolizes his courage and refusal to be seen as a coward.
Overall, the song explores themes of isolation, prejudice, and the longing for recognition and acceptance. It sheds light on the struggles faced by marginalized individuals, using the character of Noc-A-Homa to convey these ideas.
Line by Line Meaning
Lonely tipi set in the sky
The Native American mascot, Noc-a-homa, is portrayed as a solitary figure, isolated from the rest of society.
Dancing circles on a summer night
Noc-a-homa performs his role as a mascot during games, entertaining the crowd with his energetic dance movements.
Children laughing at his expense
The children in the crowd mock and make fun of Noc-a-homa, finding joy in his perceived humiliation.
Chucking more peanuts at a broken man
Some disrespectful individuals throw peanuts at Noc-a-homa, considering him to be a defeated and powerless figure.
He'll keep waving Tomahawk in hand
Despite the ridicule and mistreatment, Noc-a-homa continues to hold his tomahawk and perform his duties as a mascot.
His headdress is a flower
The headdress worn by Noc-a-homa, while symbolizing Native American culture, is also delicate and fragile like a flower.
He ain't no stinking coward
Noc-a-homa refuses to back down or be intimidated, displaying bravery and resilience in the face of adversity.
I wish other people can see
The artist hopes that others can recognize and understand the struggles and mistreatment that Noc-a-homa experiences.
Everybody's leaving and the lights are on
As the game ends and the crowd disperses, Noc-a-homa is left alone, abandoned, and forgotten.
He's got nowhere to lie when the crowd dissolves
Noc-a-homa has no place to rest or find solace once his role as a mascot is no longer required.
He's just trying to root for the team
Despite the hardships he faces, Noc-a-homa remains devoted to supporting and cheering for the sports team he represents.
He's a one man tribe and a dying breed
Noc-a-homa is the sole representative and embodiment of his Native American heritage as a mascot, but his role is becoming increasingly outdated and unpopular.
And if you stab at him, well he'll surely be
If someone attacks or hurts Noc-a-homa, it will undoubtedly cause him pain and further contribute to his struggles.
Noc-A-Homa
Noc-A-Homa
Noc-A-Homa
Just like you and me
Noc-a-homa, despite being a mascot, is a human being with emotions, dreams, and desires, just like any other person.
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
max leaf
Yes yes
Heard this on King of the road!