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
Workin'
Black Lips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah I've been working all night long.
Yeah I've been working,
Working til the break of dawn.
And I feel so tired right now.
Yeah in the morning, when the evening kills the day.
Yeah in the evening, the evening is the time to play.
Yeah in the morning, when the evening kills the day.
Yeah in the evening, the evening is the time to play.
And I feel so tired right now.
Yeah right now.
Yeah right now.
Yeah right now.
The Black Lips' song "Workin'" presents a simple yet intriguing message about the duality of life. The lyrics suggest that life is made up of two contrasting phases: work and play. The first line "Yeah, I've been working" indicates that the singer has been working tirelessly throughout the day and into the night. The repetition of this line emphasizes the long hours that the singer has put into their work. The second line "working till the break of dawn" suggests that the singer has worked through the night, possibly to fulfil a deadline or catch up on lost time.
The lyrics then shift to the second phase of life: play. The singer suggests that the evening is the time to play, and the morning kills the day. This line is particularly interesting, as it suggests a desire to escape the mundane routine of work and find time for leisure. The repetition of "And I feel so tired right now" adds a sense of weariness to the singer's voice, highlighting the exhaustion that comes with trying to balance work and play.
Overall, the lyrics suggest that life is a balancing act between work and play, with neither being more important than the other. While work is necessary to sustain our lives, play is equally important for our mental and emotional well-being. The song encourages listeners to find the balance between work and play, and not to sacrifice their happiness in the pursuit of success.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah I've been working,
I have been dedicating myself to my job or responsibilities.
Yeah I've been working all night long.
I have been working for an extended period, throughout the night.
Working til the break of dawn.
I have been working until the early morning hours.
And I feel so tired right now.
I am currently experiencing exhaustion.
Yeah in the morning, when the evening kills the day.
At the start of the day, before the night sets in and closes off the daylight hours.
Yeah in the evening, the evening is the time to play.
During the nighttime, when it is usual and acceptable to engage in social and leisure activities.
And I feel so tired right now.
I am still experiencing exhaustion.
Yeah right now.
At this moment in time.
Yeah right now.
At this moment in time.
Yeah right now.
At this moment in time.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
slap n pop
and I feel soooooo daaaaaamn tired right now