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
Throw It Away
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You think you're something, but you ain't got
Nothing I don't wanna see you coming around
You're busted up just let it down
It's hard to see with your head in the ground
And say to (?)
And then you throw it away! And then you throw it away!
Talking but you done nothing new
Flying that flag since 1962
Strutting around with your disgrace
Hanging a smile right on your right face
But you sure sound worried again
Going out just to (?)
And then you throw it away! Oh, and then you throw it away!
Well, don't throw it away And then you throw it away!
The Black Lips' song "Throw It Away" seems to be about rejecting someone or something that is not worth their time or energy. The lyrics describe seeing someone walking around the singer's block with a sense of entitlement, thinking they are something special but truly having nothing of value. The singer expresses a desire for the person to not come around anymore and to let go of their delusions. The line "It's hard to see with your head in the ground" suggests that this person is not aware of their own situation and is not willing to see reality.
The second verse is less clear in its meaning, but it seems to be directed towards someone who talks a big game but does nothing to back it up. This person is described as "flying that flag since 1962," which could be interpreted as them clinging to outdated beliefs or attitudes. They are also said to be "strutting around with [their] disgrace," perhaps suggesting that they are proud of things they should be ashamed of. The singer tells this person not to throw "it" away, whatever "it" may be, but then immediately contradicts themselves by saying "And then you throw it away!" The repetition of the phrase "Throw it away" could be interpreted as a form of catharsis, a way for the singer to release their frustration at these people who are not worth their time.
Overall, the lyrics suggest a rejection of pretension and a desire for honesty and authenticity. The singer seems to be saying that they do not want to waste their time with people who are not true to themselves or who have nothing of value to offer.
Line by Line Meaning
I see you walking around my block
I notice you walking around my neighborhood.
You think you're something, but you ain't got
Although you appear to be full of yourself, you possess nothing extraordinary.
Nothing I don't wanna see you coming around
I don't want you to come near me.
You're busted up just let it down
You look miserable and beaten, so don't bother trying to put on a facade.
It's hard to see with your head in the ground
Your outlook is clouded by your stubborn refusal to face the truth.
And say to (?)
I am unable to decipher the ambiguous and unclear final word of this sentence.
And then you throw it away! And then you throw it away!
You repeatedly dispose of everything you have, without giving it any value.
Just throw it away! And then you throw it away!
You impulsively dispose of whatever is in your possession without proper thought or consideration.
Talking but you done nothing new
You talk a lot, but you haven't achieved anything innovative.
Flying that flag since 1962
You are proudly promoting a belief system that has been outdated for over fifty years.
Strutting around with your disgrace
You are flaunting your embarrassing and shameful behavior.
Hanging a smile right on your right face
You are masking your true emotions behind a fake smile.
But you sure sound worried again
You appear to be anxious or uneasy yet again.
Going out just to (?),
I am unsure what specific activity you are engaging in during your outings.
And then you throw it away! Oh, and then you throw it away!
You impulsively discard everything you have, without considering its worth or importance.
Well, don't throw it away And then you throw it away!
I suggest you don't throw away whatever you have, instead of just recklessly getting rid of everything.
Contributed by Charlie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.