Black Lips were playing in London on Tuesday for one night before departing for Amsterdam. Because of mustachioed singer Cole’s nice hats and cherubic looks and guitarist Ian’s golden grills, we figured we’d chat to them about, y’know, fashion and stuff.

Vice: Hello Black Lips. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever been given for free?
Ian: When we played in New Orleans a guy I actually graduated with – a really cool guy – he came to the venue we were playing and gave us a fish with a cigarette in its mouth. From the waist down he had a foil skirt on.

Nice look. What about you, Cole; what’s the weirdest thing you’ve been given?
Cole: Aids.
Ian: Actually, I just got tested and I’m clean. That was one of the best presents ever.
Cole: There were these girls in Texas who gave us these fake moustaches. Lots of different types.

But you already have a moustache? Oh well. What’s your favourite item of clothing?
Cole: It changes a lot. I have this wicked bow tie that I was going to wear with this shirt. It’s like a ribbon and it has two little things that come out. It’s like the one the guy from KFC wears.

Ian: These pants are George Jones’s pants. We love Western clothes. I really like Sheplers too.
Cole: I also like my tour jacket a lot.
Ian: Those jackets are hot. They’re like what the inmates in American prisons used to wear back in the Sixties. I guess my teeth are my favourite thing, actually. I’ve been wearing them since 2004.

What’s your favourite stage outfit?
Cole: My girlfriend’s an artist, she made me this poncho I love. I used to wear this Hasidic Jewish pilgrim’s hat, but someone stole that at a roller rink we played at. Now my whole stage outfit has been totally thrown off and I’m kind of bummed out.

Where’s your favourite place to get your clothes?
Ian: Western Store for me – for jackets and pants and belts.
Cole: And thrift stores. There used to be this one where everything was a dollar. It was just piles of clothes instead of being on racks, and you had to dig. I ended up getting scabies from there, but I’ve treated it now so it’s cool. If I found the perfect pair of jeans in that thrift store I’d risk scabies again. I know it seems vain, but I think certain clothes have a magical effect – you know, like when Native Americans dress up in spiritual outfits and they feel more powerful. I think modern fashion is the same, if you feel good then you have power, you’re more charismatic.

Who or what most influences the way you dress?
Cole: People in jail and the 1930s.
Ian: West coast gangsters.

What would you wear if you were going on a date?
Cole: Lotion and deodorant. Girls like guys to smell good, right? Actually, sometimes I try to stink really hard for the pheromones. Sometimes when I’m getting with a girl I’ll put her face in my armpit and force her to breathe it.

What can a girl wear to upset you?
Ian: Sandals and mum pants.
Cole: I like the mum pants, but I’m not a fan of sandals, particularly not on guys, actually. It’s better when a girl’s got some kinda hot high-heeled shoe. I don’t really like feet so I don’t like having to look at them. Also I don’t really like really large flares. Or those cute little mitten shoes that girls wear.

Ballet pumps?
Cole: They’re too cute.
Ian: Cole likes combat boots on his girls and for them to have one leg.
Cole: And armpit hair.

WORDS: KYLIE GRIFFITHS
PHOTOS: CAMERON SMITH AND JAMIE TAETE