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
Wayne
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You started just like us
But then you broke our trust
Oh, Wayne you did it for the fame
You always knew you'd be a lose celebrity
Oh, Wayne you'll never feel the pain
In Heaven we're the same
In Heaven we're the same
In Heaven we're the same
In Heaven we're the same
In Heaven we're the same
It isn't true was it them or you?
What you said about the man
Strung up by the Klan?
Oh, Wayne with no more cards to play
That was a lovely story about the CIA
Oh, Wayne you'll never feel the pain
You'll never feel the rain
In Heaven we're the same
In Heaven we're the same
In Heaven we're the same
In Heaven we're the same
In Heaven we're the same
Oh, Wayne (you lost the treads of play)
Oh, Wayne (you never take the blame)
Oh, Wayne (you'll never be the same)
Oh, Wayne (you'll never be the same)
"Wayne" by Black Lips is a song that explores the theme of betrayal and the consequences of seeking fame and recognition at the expense of others. The lyrics address Wayne, a person who initially seemed similar to the singer and their friends, but eventually broke their trust. It suggests that Wayne's actions were driven by a desire for fame, and that he always knew he would become a forgotten celebrity, unable to truly feel pain or experience the hardships of life.
The lyrics also touch upon a controversial event involving the Klan, insinuating that Wayne may have been responsible for spreading false information about a man being hanged by the Klan. This highlights his willingness to manipulate stories and situations for his own gain, even if they are harmful or potentially dangerous. The reference to the CIA suggests that Wayne had fabricated a compelling story about them, further emphasizing his thirst for attention and the lengths he would go to achieve it.
The repetition of the phrase "In Heaven we're the same" throughout the song implies that in death, all individuals are equal, regardless of their actions during their lifetime. It conveys a sense of justice and an understanding that fame and deceit cannot protect one from the ultimate reckoning.
Overall, "Wayne" is a critical reflection on the destructive nature of fame-seeking and the consequences of betraying others in pursuit of personal gain.
Line by Line Meaning
Wayne what did you had to gain?
Wayne, what did you hope to achieve?
You started just like us
You began in the same way as us
But then you broke our trust
But then you betrayed our trust
Oh, Wayne you did it for the fame
Oh, Wayne, you did it to become famous
You always knew you'd be a lose celebrity
You always knew you would be a lesser-known celebrity
Oh, Wayne you'll never feel the pain
Oh, Wayne, you will never experience the pain
You'll never feel the rain
You will never experience hardship
In Heaven we're the same
In Heaven, all individuals are equal
It isn't true was it them or you?
It wasn't true, was it the others or was it you?
What you said about the man
What you claimed about the man
Strung up by the Klan?
Hanged by the Ku Klux Klan?
Oh, Wayne with no more cards to play
Oh, Wayne, with no more options available
That was a lovely story about the CIA
That was a fabricated story about the CIA
Oh, Wayne (you lost the treads of play)
Oh, Wayne, you lost your sense of direction
Oh, Wayne (you never take the blame)
Oh, Wayne, you never accept responsibility
Oh, Wayne (you'll never be the same)
Oh, Wayne, you will never be unchanged
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
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