Their debut album, The Dust of Retreat came out in 2006. At this time, the band was signed to Artemis Records and had 8 members. In 2008 the band signed to Epic Records and (on 7 October) released two new albums, Animal! and Not Animal. The band originally planned to just release "Animal!". However, Epic disagreed on their song choice, and compiled a different list, which would later become "Not Animal". Eventually, after dispute over which version would be released, it was decided to release both at the same time.
In August 2009, 5 of the band's members left. They are all involved in other projects, most notably Pravada.
While the band, and Richard specifically have given many explanations to the band's name; this is all in fun. As the name was created as an anti-name; not meant to have any real meaning, just to make fun of other ridiculous names. The name "Margot" comes from Gweneth Paltrow's character in Wes Anderson's "The Royal Tenenbaums".
The band's sound, categorized as "chamber pop", has been compared to the indie rock groups Arcade Fire, The Decemberists, and The Shins, while incorporating elements of singer/songwriters like Paul Simon and Conor Oberst.
Current Members are:
Richard Edwards - lead vocals, guitar, bells, melodica, banjo
Ronnie Kwasman - lead guitar
Tyler Watkins - bass guitar
Brian Deck - drums
Eric Kang - guitar
Cameron McGill
Former Members include:
Emily Watkins - keys, backup vocals
Andy Fry - guitar, bass, lap steel, percussion
Jesse Lee - cello
Casey Tennis - percussion
Chris Fry - drums, percussion
Pages Written on a Wall
Margot & the Nuclear So and So's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
she comes wanderin' home
up the twisted stairwell
through the great unknown
How we gonna warm if you're stealin' all ours?
Who is gonna love when all it is gone, gone?
she comes crawlin' back
Back from sweet Chicago
How we gonna warm if you're stealin' all ours?
Who is gonna love when all that liquor is gone?
Let's settle the score with a two-by-four before we go
Let's settle our score with a two-by-four for we-- (3x)
I saw you,
out past two
in that ragin' car
The song Pages Written on a Wall by Margot & the Nuclear So and So's is a melancholic piece with a dark undertone. The lyrics describe a woman who is returning home, presumably after a night out, climbing up a twisted stairwell to a place unknown. The singer wonders how they are ever going to be able to survive if she keeps stealing from them and taking everything they have left. The lyrics also suggest that the woman may have betrayed or hurt the singer in the past, as he suggests that they settle the score before they go with a two-by-four, which is a tool commonly associated with violence.
The lyrics use vivid imagery to create a bleak and desperate atmosphere. The twisted stairwell suggests a place that is difficult to navigate and possibly unsafe. The woman is described as scheming like a rat, a figure of betrayal and deceit. The singer's concern that everything will be gone reminds us of his desperation and inability to cope with the situation. Furthermore, the dark tone evoked by the chorus of "Who is gonna love when all it is gone, gone?" heightens the sense of desperation and loss that pervades the lyrics.
Overall, Pages Written on a Wall is a haunting song that captures the feeling of being lost and alone in a world that is uncertain and unforgiving.
Line by Line Meaning
Chokin' on a bone
Struggling or suffocating in difficult circumstances
she comes wanderin' home
She returns home after a long journey or absence
up the twisted stairwell
Climbing up a confusing and complicated path or process
through the great unknown
Going into unfamiliar territory, into the future that is yet to happen
How we gonna warm if you're stealin' all ours?
Asking how we will survive or prosper when someone is taking all that we have
Who is gonna love when all it is gone, gone?
Questioning who will care or love us when we've lost everything we had
Schemin' like a rat
Planning or plotting something secretly or cunningly
she comes crawlin' back
Coming back in shame or desperation after failing to achieve something
Back from sweet Chicago
Returning from a place of good memories or experiences
all that liquor is gone?
Wondering what will happen when all of something is gone or consumed completely
Let's settle the score with a two-by-four before we go
Suggesting to resolve or confront the problem before it gets too late or out of control
I saw you, out past two, in that ragin' car
Witnessing someone's reckless behavior or actions late at night, possibly under the influence
Contributed by Adalyn P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.