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
Take My Heart
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the dark all alone
Stake my heart make it groan
To embark on it's own
On it's own
On it's own
On it's own
Take my nerves to a bliss
Make them swerve into abyss
Stake my nerves make them hiss
Take 'em apart to a carcass
Carcass
Cascass
Carcass
The lyrics in Black Lips's "Take My Heart" may seem cryptic and confusing at first glance, but with a closer look, they are actually quite profound. The song seems to be about someone who is ready to take a risk and embark on a journey of self-discovery. The first verse talks about relinquishing control of one's heart and allowing it to venture into the unknown, even if it means experiencing fear and loneliness. The second verse refers to the nerves, which also need to be pushed to their limits in order to achieve growth and transformation. Overall, the song seems to be encouraging listeners to take risks and to embrace the uncertainty that comes with personal growth.
The repetition of the phrase "on it's own" throughout the song emphasizes the idea of independence and self-reliance. The use of the word "groan" in the first verse suggests that the journey towards self-discovery may not be easy, and may involve some pain and discomfort. In the second verse, the phrase "make them hiss" could be interpreted as a reference to the sound of a snake, which is often associated with danger and risk-taking.
Overall, "Take My Heart" is a thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to embrace their fears and take risks in order to achieve personal growth and transformation. The lyrics may be open to different interpretations, but they ultimately speak to the power of self-discovery and the importance of taking control of one's own life.
Line by Line Meaning
Take my heart to unknown
Lead my heart to uncharted territory
To the dark all alone
To traverse through the unknown without guidance
Stake my heart make it groan
Pose a challenge to my heart so that it suffers and aches
To embark on it's own
To undertake this journey unaccompanied
On it's own
Alone and independent
Take my nerves to a bliss
Take my anxiousness to a state of euphoria
Make them swerve into abyss
Cause them to deviate sharply into a state of chaos
Stake my nerves make them hiss
Subject my nerves to a frightening situation causing them to react with fear
Take 'em apart to a carcass
Disintegrate them completely, reducing them to a lifeless body
Carcass
Lifeless remains
Cascass
Lifeless remains
Carcass
Lifeless remains
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CLAYDES SMITH, RONALD BELL, GEORGE BROWN, ROBERT BELL, EUMIR DEODATO, JAMES TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind