The history of Black Lipstick can be told in many ways. Another version of the story, one more grounded in facts, show a band widely lauded by the independent press for raunchy riffs, tasteful beats, a four-octave monotone and clever lyrical wit, centered on topics which seemed important at the time (blowing off work, getting f'd up, getting by, stealing girlfriends and keeping them). Some stoner dude from a liberal arts college blogged that they sound like a cross between the Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth, The Clean and The Feelies on acid, in a blender, while having Tom Verlaine and Moe Tucker's Modern Love child.

Turn the page to 2005. The band has grown considerably, musically and emotionally, and Black Lipstick has recorded an album that is more confident, emotional and personal than ever before. Not to be overly dramatic — this record wasn't written for art's sake; it was written for sanity's sake.

Lyrically, the aptly-titled Sincerely, Black Lipstick primarily explores the passing of loved ones through open letter ("Viva Max," "..."), a tribute to a profound, human experience. Sincerely also retains and reinforces (forcefully) many of the traditional values Black Lipstick upholds, like living for the moment and appreciating it more than many. Listen to the swelling, crashing crescendos at the end of "All Night Long Forever," and you'll see what I mean. You can't help but flick your Bic.

Other highlights include the bombastic, driving "Bob Fosse," a life-affirming celebration of enthusiasm that would definitely have Tom Cruise sliding around on a hardwood floor. When guitarist Phillip Niemeyer calls out, "The louder I sing, the lighter my burdens get," a smacked tambourine and Keef-like riff TESTIFY.

"You can tell what we do by the kinds of trash we leave behind," declares Niemeyer in the feedback-washed rocker "No Mercy," while aiming one foot directly at our sacks. But don't flinch — the rock organ breakdown will block the blow and prove that some things are worth fighting for.

The most notable difference between this record and previous releases is the increased presence of BL's renaissance elf Steven Garcia, who set aside his bass and stepped to the mic and guitar for three songs, gracing us with some effing majestic riffage. Nowhere does he shine more brightly than on "Grandma Airplane," which boasts some of the most intricate, dense guitar layering on the record. Yes, Black Lipstick loves ZZ Top and the Fucking Champs — plop that shit in the blender.

History is nothing more than a chronicle of human experiences. Sincerely, Black Lipstick is a tale of natural history. Cycle. Rebirth. I will now put down my quill pen, close this leather bound tome and commence a really bad-ass solo.

More Info
• Black Lipstick Bio 2003
• Black Lipstick Bio 2001

Discography
Albums
• Converted Thieves CD (Peek-A-Boo Records, 2003)
• Converted Thieves CD (Glitterhouse [EUROPE], 2003)
• Sincerely, Black Lipstick CD (Peek-A-Boo Records, 2005)
• Sincerely, Black Lipstick CD (Glitterhouse [EUROPE], 2005)

Singles & EPs
• The Four Kingdoms of Black Lipstick CD EP (Peek-A-Boo Records, 2001)
• "White Jazz" 7" (Glitterhouse [EUROPE], 2003)
• Black Octopus Lipstick Project Foam Party CD EP
• One Ten Hundred Thousand Million LP/CD
  (Peek-A-Boo Records, 2004)

Compliations
• New Atmosphere for the Future CD (Contact Records [JAPAN], 2000)
• Out of the Blue CD (Glitterhouse [EUROPE], 2003)
• You've Got Your Orders, Vol. 2 CD (Chrome Peeler Records, 2004)
• Nevermind Glitterhouse is 20 3xCD (Glitterhouse [EUROPE], 2005)

Peek-A-Boo Family Tree
• Travis Higdon: The 1-4-5s, Golden Millennium, The Kiss Offs
• Phillip Niemeyer: Teen Titans, Roar ! Lion, The Kiss Offs