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
Slime and Oxygen
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gorge the belly I fight and sin
Battles in the Trojan War
I drink the wine and blood of before
A nimble skull will always crack
1000 year faithful attack
Will a coward die from calloused hands
3000 rationed spinach cans
A pancake covered battle shield
Must condemn the weakling mind
For your book that must be bind
Juggernaut will crush the bum
Combatant of the drunken slum
Gnawing on the greed of war
The lyrics of Black Lips's song "Slime and Oxygen" are cryptic yet filled with allusions and symbols, creating a surrealistic and almost apocalyptic atmosphere. The singer describes himself as a warrior who has walked the same path as millions of men before him, indulging in belly-gorging and sinning. The line "Battles in the Trojan War" references the ancient Greek myth of the siege of Troy, suggesting that the singer is fighting an epic and timeless war. He then claims to drink "the wine and blood of before," which could be interpreted both literally and metaphorically, referring to the rituals of ancient warriors and the constant repetition of violence throughout human history.
The lines "A nimble skull will always crack/1000 year faithful attack" reflect on the fragility and futility of human existence, implying that no matter how skilled or faithful one is, death and defeat are inevitable. The song then criticizes cowardice and weakness, equating them with being a "bum" and a "weakling mind," while championing strength and combativeness symbolized by a "pancake-covered battle shield." The lyrics also mention "3000 rationed spinach cans," which could be interpreted as a reference to military rations or a nod to the character Popeye, who famously gains strength from eating spinach.
The final lines of "Slime and Oxygen" read "Juggernaut will crush the bum/Combatant of the drunken slum/Gnawing on the greed of war," ending the song with a prophetic and ominous tone. The Juggernaut is traditionally depicted as a destructive force or an unstoppable machine, while the "drunken slum" suggests a society plagued by poverty, addiction, and violence. The song seems to criticize the glorification of war, violence, and aggression, while also acknowledging their seductiveness and their role in human nature.
Line by Line Meaning
I walked the path of million men
I have traveled a path traveled by many before me.
I gorge the belly I fight and sin
I indulge in pleasures and occasionally do things that may be considered sinful.
Battles in the Trojan War
Referencing the historical battle described in Homer's epic poem, the Iliad.
I drink the wine and blood of before
I consume things from those who came before me, whether it be their knowledge, traditions, or practices.
A nimble skull will always crack
One who is careless or foolish will suffer the consequences of their actions.
1000 year faithful attack
A relentless and unwavering attack that lasts for generations.
Will a coward die from calloused hands
Does one who is afraid or unwilling to fight still die a hard death.
3000 rationed spinach cans
A reference to Popeye, a character who gains strength from eating spinach.
A giddy doctrine will not live
An easily excitable belief system will not survive over time.
A pancake covered battle shield
A humorous statement, essentially meaning a shield that is covered in something that is not useful in a battle.
Must condemn the weakling mind
We should not tolerate weak or feeble-minded individuals or behavior.
For your book that must be bind
For the sake of preserving knowledge or tradition, it must be recorded or written down.
Juggernaut will crush the bum
The unstoppable or overwhelming force will mercilessly defeat those who are unable to defend themselves.
Combatant of the drunken slum
A fighter or warrior from a place or situation of low class or status.
Gnawing on the greed of war
Eating or consuming the selfish and destructive desire for power and gain through battle.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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gus speelt muziek dingen
this song is heavily underrated
jack chan
Best song on album
nutsackmania
amen