FEATURED INTERVIEWS                          

The Black Lips

Infectious grooves and catchy hooks.
By: Gian Erguiza - - January 21st, 2008 - 8:55 pm PST



The Black Lips have found their way into indie hearts all across America. They're fun, cool, and an overall good time of a band. Meet the Black Lips.

Your latest release has this distinct feel that most bands strive for and can never achieve, how did you guys conjure up this type of feel and get it down on record?

Well, most people try to tame and suppress their inner evil. WE channel ours and nurture it fearlessly.

Now the album is taking you places and it’s definitely creating a well-deserved buzz. Does it surprise you guys on how well the album’s doing and did you guys ever think in your wildest dreams that it would take you this far and garner you guys the recognition?

It wasn't completely surprising because this has been gradually rising for quite some time. We always wanted things to go this way. I'm very optimistic so I always believed it would go like this even if I didn't totally believe it deep down.

Don't hurt to be confident. My favorite song off your new album is “O Katrina” for the simple fact that the sound reminds me of old stones, and other 60’s bands. Which song is you guys’ favorite off the new album and which song do you guys love to perform live?

My favorites off this album were two of cole's veni vidi vici and one more that didn't make the cut. I like playing chuck berry covers the best live cuz they're the most fun

Why Israel, Palestine or Tijuana? Out of all the places that you guys could’ve gone and rocked in, why did you guys pick these places and do you guys have any interesting stories that you’d like to share?

Because Rock n Roll is universal and should be shared with everyone. Including those places outside of europe and the states(and canada,japan,australia new zealand)

"Yeah they work their way into the music, but we never wanna make it overly sad and tragic. we like to put a more lighthearted childish spin on it. You can't stay down or you die."

I just got an offer from a Chinese promoter that wants us there, and I've been talking to an indian kid about a show in Mumbai. There's alot of stories, and you can see them at www.vbs.tv

I'll be sure to check that out....Let’s talk Conan. You guys definitely brought the freak out and the rock! How did this come bout and how excited were you guys to play Conan O’Brien’s show?

We really wanted to play Conan because he's our favorite late night dude. I was so excited that I punched the air for 20 minutes. It was alot of fun!

Since you guys are far off the map of what’s trendy or a gimmick, what are you guys’ current thoughts on the music scene in general and where do you guys think that music is headed to nowadays?

I have no idea. Everything comes in cycles I guess. I think educated white kids in their 20's will continue to pursue sonically artistic sounds. Then they'll stop doing it and go into another field.

So I was doing some reading on you guys and there’s been some real tragic moments in your lives. Do these type of events find their way into your music and if so, how does it translate into the music?

Yeah they work their way into the music, but we never wanna make it overly sad and tragic. we like to put a more lighthearted childish spin on it. You can't stay down or you die.

From watching you guys’ videos on various sites and various clips, you guys pump out some real wild energy while onstage. How do you guys keep it going night after night and where does this crazy stage presence come from?

I don't know. We enjoy what we do. I wouldnt know how to not do that because I've always done it. Maybe it's magic?

You guys seem like a band that knows how to have a good time, off the stage and on. How does The Black Lips spend their time, off from music and how does this band have a good time?

Surfing is excellent. Skate or die. Keg stands are a must have, food fights are no slouch..get tanked.

Hey Black Lips, “What is the meaning of life?”

Stand by your man

Christmas is right around the corner. What are you guy's plan for the Holidays and what are you guys doing as a band to celebrate the holidays?

Sorry I didnt get this in time for christmas.. I swear it was all my fault. We don't do holidays as a band. I ate alot of food and yelled at my dad.

Any additional comments?

If the gods would build me a ladder to the heavens, I would climb that ladder and drop an elbow on the world.

Thank you goodnight.

Thanks!

BLACK LIPS Tour Dates
February
4 Seattle, WA @ Neumos
5 Portland, OR @ Jackpot Records - 6pm In Store Acoustic Performance!
5 Portland, OR @ Dantes
6 Eugene, OR @ Wow Hall
8 San Francisco, CA @ Amoeba Berkeley - 6:30pm In Store Acoustic Performance!
8 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
9 Pomona, CA @ Glasshouse
10 Costa Mesa, CA @ Active Ride Shop - 2pm Street Performance!
10 Costa Mesa, CA @ Detroit Bar
13 San Diego, CA @ Casbah
14 Los Angeles, CA @ El Ray
16 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre
17 Denver, CO @ Twist & Shout - 2pm In Store Acoutic Performance!
22 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jakes
23 Austin, TX @ Emos Outside
24 Dallas, TX @ Good Records - 4pm In Store Acoustic Performance!
24 Dallas, TX @ The Loft
25 Lawrence, KS @ Bottleneck
26 Lawrence, KS @ Love Garden Sounds - 1pm In Store Acoustic Performance!
26 Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room
28 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
29 Madison, WI @ Madcit Music Exchange - 6:30pm In Store Acoustic Performance!
29 Madison, WI @ Memorial Union

March
1 Chicago, IL @ Reckless Records - 6pm In Store Performance! (1523 N. Milwaukee)
1 Chicago, IL @ Logan Square
2 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
4 Columbus, OH @ The Basement
5 Oberlin, OH @ Club Dionysus
6 Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
7 Pittsburg, PA @ Mr. Smalls
8 Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place
10 New York, NY @ Other Music - 6:30pm In Store Acoustic Performance!
10 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
11 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
13 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East
14 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas
15 Washington, DC @ Black Cat
16 Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
20 Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
21 Memphis, TN @ Shangri-la Records - 6pm In Store Acoustic Performance!
21 Memphis, TN @ Hi Tone
22 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl

April
25 Coachella, CA @ Coachella Music Festival

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