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
Notown Blues
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Running around the land, killing everyone I can
Well, the Hillside Strangler, that's who I am
Gonna roll around the land, killing everyone I can
Like all best friends, like all best friends
Well, I'm all best friends that's who I am, that's who I am
Running around the land, killing everyone I can
Well, the Hillside Strangler, that's...
I'm the Hillside Strangler, that's who I am
Running around the land, killing everyone I can
Well, the Hillside Strangler, that's who I am
Gonna roll around the land, killing everyone I can
Like all best friends, like all best friends
Well, I'm all best friends that's who I am, that's who I am
Notown Blues by Black Lips is a song about a notorious serial killer, the Hillside Strangler. The lyrics refer to the killer's rampage and his intention to keep killing people. The first line of the song, "I'm the Hillside Strangler, that's who I am", is a confession by the killer himself, declaring his identity. He proclaims that he is running around the land and killing everyone he can, suggesting that the killer is on a random killing spree, with a lack of motive or specific targets.
The repetition of the chorus, "Like all best friends, like all best friends, well I'm all best friends, that's who I am, that's who I am" is an ironic contrast to the seriousness of the lyrics. The best friends here could be interpreted as the victims who the killer is tormenting or mocking. Alternatively, the lyrics could be viewed as a commentary on the societal expectations of close friendships, suggesting that our best friends could ultimately end up being our worst adversaries.
Overall, the lyrics of Notown Blues are a dark exploration of the mind of a killer, and the song is a chilling reminder of how dangerous humans can be.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the Hillside Strangler, that's who I am
I am someone who identifies with this notorious serial killer known as the Hillside Strangler
Running around the land, killing everyone I can
I am committing murder and actively seeking victims wherever I go
Well, the Hillside Strangler, that's who I am
I am proud of my association with this murderous identity
Gonna roll around the land, killing everyone I can
I am planning and intending to continue my killing spree across various regions
Like all best friends, like all best friends
Just like how best friends stick together and share common interests, I have a deep connection to my role as a serial killer
Well, I'm all best friends that's who I am, that's who I am
I am fully committed to this identity and lifestyle of being a serial killer, and it is a defining part of who I am as a person
Contributed by Ellie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.