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
Waiting
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To lead us in the Pledge Allegience, make us understand
Would we rather kick the legs out of the chair and watch her fall?
'Cause there's no more time for her to make the call
So we're gonna break down all the desks, tear down the maps, and storm down the halls
'Cause it doesn't mean a thing to us at all
I don't wanna wait, waiting for it, waiting all the same
I'm riding down the interstate, moving faster, if I can
I'm trying not to instigate any problems with The Man
But they'll probably find a way to say to me, "You cannot move"
So what's this guy gonna try to prove?
Better not make a sudden movement
Just to prove it and don't act dumb
While he's looking down the sides of his gun
I don't wanna wait, waiting for it, waiting for the change
I don't wanna wait, waiting for it, waiting all the same
You're gonna find them in your neighborhood, you're gonna find them in your shed
They're gonna find you, shooken up with fear, hiding underneath your bed
But you'd rather they be gone for long forever, lights and sound
If they never had existed, that'd be fine
But you gotta live with the regret
Forget, for now, at least, is fine
'Cause they'll find a place for you on down the line
I don't want to wait, waiting for it, waiting for the change
I don't want to wait, waiting for it, waiting all the same
The lyrics to Black Lips's "Waiting" touch on themes of rebellion, frustration, and disillusionment. The first stanza is set in a classroom, where the singer and his peers are waiting for their teacher to lead them in the pledge of allegiance. However, the singer poses a provocative question - would they rather kick the legs out of their chairs and watch their teacher fall? This line suggests a deep-seated sense of anger towards authority figures, and a desire to disrupt the status quo.
The second stanza takes us out of the classroom and onto the interstate, where the singer is speeding down the road, trying not to attract the attention of the police ("The Man"). Again, there is a sense of defiance and rebellion - the singer knows he is doing something that may be seen as dangerous or wrong, but he is determined to do it anyway.
The third stanza is perhaps the darkest of the song, as it suggests that "they" (presumably, some kind of oppressive force) will find you no matter where you hide. The singer acknowledges that it would be better if these forces didn't exist, but ultimately, you have to live with the regret of their presence. The final lines of the song - "I don't want to wait, waiting for it, waiting for the change / I don't want to wait, waiting for it, waiting all the same" - suggest a yearning for something more, a desire for change and progress.
Overall, "Waiting" is a song about frustration with the way things are, and a desire to rebel against authority figures and oppressive systems. The lyrics are filled with vivid, provocative imagery, and the song is marked by an intense, driving beat.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting in the classroom, waiting for the teacher's hand
The students are sitting in the classroom, waiting for the teacher to lead them in the Pledge of Allegiance.
To lead us in the Pledge Allegience, make us understand
The teacher is supposed to lead the students in the Pledge of Allegiance and help them understand what it means.
Would we rather kick the legs out of the chair and watch her fall?
The students wonder if they would rather rebel against the teacher by causing chaos instead of listening to her.
'Cause there's no more time for her to make the call
There isn't any more time for the teacher to assert her authority, and the students are about to act out.
So we're gonna break down all the desks, tear down the maps, and storm down the halls
The students plan to rebel by destroying school property and causing chaos.
'Cause it doesn't mean a thing to us at all
The students have lost all respect for the school and the system it represents.
I'm riding down the interstate, moving faster, if I can
The singer is driving down the highway and trying to go faster than the speed limit.
I'm trying not to instigate any problems with The Man
The singer is trying to avoid any confrontation with the police or authority figures.
But they'll probably find a way to say to me, 'You cannot move'
The singer anticipates that the authorities will find a reason to stop him and restrict his movements.
So what's this guy gonna try to prove?
The singer questions the motives of the authority figures who try to control him.
Better not make a sudden movement
The singer knows that he needs to be careful and avoid any sudden or suspicious movements.
Just to prove it and don't act dumb
The singer advises others in a similar situation to be cooperative and avoid acting suspicious or confrontational.
While he's looking down the sides of his gun
The singer is aware that the authorities have the power to use force against him if he resists.
You're gonna find them in your neighborhood, you're gonna find them in your shed
The singer predicts that authority figures will be present in every aspect of people's lives, including their homes and neighborhoods.
They're gonna find you, shooken up with fear, hiding underneath your bed
The singer imagines people being terrified of the authorities and hiding in fear.
But you'd rather they be gone for long forever, lights and sound
People would rather the authorities disappear forever, never to be seen or heard from again.
If they never had existed, that'd be fine
People would be content if the authorities had never existed in the first place.
But you gotta live with the regret
People must come to terms with the fact that the authorities are real and exist.
Forget, for now, at least, is fine
People may temporarily forget about their fear and frustration towards the authorities.
'Cause they'll find a place for you on down the line
However, people cannot escape the grip of authority in the long run.
I don't want to wait, waiting for it, waiting for the change
The singer does not want to wait for change to happen and wants to take action.
I don't want to wait, waiting for it, waiting all the same
The singer does not want to wait around and watch the world remain the same.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marck Miller
Made me cry
Gáldács Valven
I can sense a little bit of irony in the reason of why this particular track leaked out before the album's other songs. Wait until the release :)
Austin Wiseman
How did you get this??
Dunnoz Skater
Streets made us brought me here