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
Old Man
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have ya got some information?
I'm far away, just way out here
And I need a destination
I cannot find what I want
With just an invitation
And when I see all the things
Don't let the children out to play
Don't let the rain wash down your sunny day
And if it does, don't bring your kids to me
I won't be here, somewhere is where I'll be
Don't be confused, don't be ashamed
It's not to be your fault
The boys will have the master ploy
And that's the end result
For better than for worse
There was forever be the day
For what you think you can't receive
And that will be okay
Don't let the children out to play
Don't let the rain wash down your sunny day
And if it does, don't bring your kids to me
I won't be here, somewhere is where I'll be
The song "Old Man" by Black Lips is a melancholic and cryptic tune with an underlying tone of warning. The lyrics speak to an old man with a mysterious and wise aura, who appears to hold some kind of knowledge or information that the singer seeks. The singer is lost and far away, and needs a destination. The old man is being asked for guidance, but is also warned not to let the children out to play, and to keep his sunny day from being washed away by the rain. Meanwhile, the singer doesn't want to be somewhere where the children are not kept safe, and where his own welfare might be at risk.
The song is, therefore, a cautionary tale, with the old man being an allegory for a sense of wisdom and guidance, and the children representing the vulnerability and innocence that must be protected. At the same time, however, the song is also illustrating the challenges that come with trust and faith. Even though the singer is asking for help, he's also simultaneously expressing a sense of mistrust and cynicism. The old man may have something important to say but, even so, the singer does not want to take his children to him, due to the potential risks involved. The lyrics are open-ended, leaving the audience to interpret the meaning behind the words.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey old man, say, whatcha say
Asking an old man if he has any valuable information to share.
Have ya got some information?
Checking if the old man has any important knowledge to offer.
I'm far away, just way out here
Feeling lost and distant from where one needs to be.
And I need a destination
Requiring an objective to aim towards and reach.
I cannot find what I want
Not able to discover what is desired.
With just an invitation
Simply relying on an offer or suggestion isn't enough.
And when I see all the things
Observing the possessions and circumstances of others.
That you have, what you got
Recognizing the success and advantages someone else has.
Don't let the children out to play
Warns against letting children wander around unsupervised.
Don't let the rain wash down your sunny day
Don't let negative circumstances ruin a positive moment.
And if it does, don't bring your kids to me
If things go wrong, don't turn to me for help or guidance.
I won't be here, somewhere is where I'll be
I won't be available to offer assistance.
Don't be confused, don't be ashamed
Don't feel uncertain or guilty about the situation.
It's not to be your fault
You're not solely responsible for everything that happens.
The boys will have the master ploy
Referring to manipulative tactics by others, especially those in power.
And that's the end result
That's what it ultimately leads to.
For better than for worse
Regardless of outcomes, positive or negative.
There was forever be the day
Time will keep moving forward, with or without changes.
For what you think you can't receive
Do not limit yourself or reject possibilities prematurely.
And that will be okay
Accepting the risks and uncertainties of life.
Contributed by Tyler K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.