After recording a 7-track demo in 1995, the band signed to Murmur Records, a subsidiary of Sony. In 1996, they released the 7-track EP The Answer to Both Your Questions, recorded and mixed by Greg Atkinson of Sydney band Big Heavy Stuff.
In November of 1996, the 3-track single "Dean Martin" was released. Early in 1997, the band released a 5-track EP titled Intermission as they recorded their first album, Elsewhere for Eight Minutes, in New Zealand and mixed and mastered it in New York with U.S. producer Brian Paulson. (Brian had previously produced albums for Wilco, Archers of Loaf, Superchunk and Slint, amongst others.) Something for Kate's first full-length album was released in July of 1997. Bass player Julian Carroll was then replaced by Toby Ralph, who toured with the band for the release of the album.
Four singles were released from Elsewhere for Eight Minutes: "Captain (Million miles an hour)", "Prick", "Working Against Me" and "Roll Credit". Bass player Toby Ralph was replaced by Stephanie Ashworth (of Melbourne outfit Sandpit) in March 1998. The band then wrote their second album, Beautiful Sharks, which was released in April of 1999. Beautiful Sharks was recorded in Melbourne, once again by producer Brian Paulson.
Four singles were released from Beautiful Sharks: "Electricity", "Hallways", "Whatever You Want" and "The Astronaut". When the band went on the road with this album they took on an extra touring musician, Wally Gunn, to play the incidental guitar and keyboard parts.
In 2000, as the band were writing for their third album, Murmur released Q & A With Dean Martin, a re-release of the sold-out first EP and single. Also released in 2000 was Big Screen Television, a video collection of 12 of the band's music videos along with some bonus footage.
In June of 2001, the third album, Echolalia, was released. Produced by the band and Trina Shoemaker (whose other recording credits include Queens of the Stone Age, REM, Whiskeytown and Sheryl Crow), Echolalia was recorded at INXS bass-player Garry Gary Beers' Mangrove studio in the Central Coast of NSW.
Four singles were released from Echolalia: "Monsters", "Three Dimensions", "Twenty Years" and "Say Something". When touring this album, the band took on two touring musicians, Pip Branson (ex Sydney band Sidewinder) and Simon Bourke, again, to play the increasing amount of keyboards and extra guitar parts featured on the album.
In 2002 the band released their first DVD, A Diversion, which is a document of the writing, recording and touring of the Echolalia album.
In 2003 the band recorded and released their fourth album, The Official Fiction. Produced once again by the band and Trina Shoemaker at Mangrove studios, it spawned the singles "Deja Vu", "Song for a Sleepwalker", "Best Weapon" and "Moving Right Along".
After supporting David Bowie on the Australian leg of his Reality Tour, the band toured Europe in 2004, taking in Germany, France, Denmark, Scotland, Ireland and the UK, before returned to Australia to release Phantom Limbs, a double album of the band members' and their fans' favourite b-side tracks from over the years.
On the 30th of June 2006, Something for Kate released their fifth album, Desert Lights. Since then, Something for Kate has released 2 singles, Cigarettes and Suitcases which was released on the 5th of May 2006, just under 2 months before the second EP, Oh Kamikaze which was released on the 1st of September 2006.
No Man
Something for Kate Lyrics
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Today you'll get your money's worth
To revolve or revolutionise
Or put it in the paperwork
You've been sold a winning hand
Take a bow and raise your glass to no man's land
And it all goes right to plan
A simple as simple mistakes
You hang your trouble in the sky
And one boy scout gone bad
A piece of cake
And let the think tank decide
You bury your head in the sand
As you rise to raise your glass to no man's land
And it all goes right to plan
You play another round for another chance
You bury your head in the sand
Take a bow and raise your glass to no man's land
And it all went right to plan
And you play another round if you get another chance
No man's land
The song 'No Man' by Something for Kate is a commentary on society's obsession with success and how it is often achieved at the expense of morality or ethics. The first verse talks about the daily grind and the pressure to achieve success, whether through evolution or revolution, or simply by going through the motions and doing what is expected. The second verse alludes to the idea of a corrupt system, where people are sold a winning hand by those in power, and are encouraged to bury their heads in the sand and ignore the consequences of their actions. The chorus repeats the idea of raising a glass to 'no man's land,' symbolizing the idea that people are willing to celebrate their success even if it comes at the cost of others.
The lyrics in this song are open to interpretation, but one possible interpretation is that the song is a criticism of capitalism and the way that it encourages individuals to look out for themselves rather than considering the bigger picture. The idea of 'no man's land' could represent the areas of society that are ignored or neglected by those in power, such as the environment or marginalized communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Say good morning, same six signs
Greet the day with a sense of familiarity, as you know what to expect
Today you'll get your money's worth
Your efforts will pay off today
To revolve or revolutionise
Consider whether to make small changes or drastic ones in your situation
Or put it in the paperwork
Document your plan to make it official and legally binding
You've been sold a winning hand
You have a good opportunity, take advantage of it
Take a bow and raise your glass to no man's land
Celebrate your own accomplishments or victories, independent of outside approval
And it all goes right to plan
Things are happening as expected
Play another round for another chance
Keep trying until you succeed or until another opportunity arises
A simple as simple mistakes
Mistakes can be trivial or have a larger impact, but all need to be acknowledged
You hang your trouble in the sky
Your problems are visible for all to see, but it's important to deal with them rather than ignore them
And one boy scout gone bad
Even individuals or organizations with a supposedly moral foundation can falter
A piece of cake
It's easy to make a mistake or deviate from the expected path
And let the think tank decide
Consult experts or individuals with a diverse set of opinions to make an informed decision
You bury your head in the sand
You're avoiding an issue or problem, which will only make it worse
As you rise to raise your glass to no man's land
Despite your reluctance to face your problems, you still take time to celebrate your own accomplishments
And you play another round if you get another chance
If given another opportunity, take advantage of it to try again or make improvements
No man's land
A concept of independence or individuality, where you aren't beholden to anyone else's expectations or opinions
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEPHANIE ASHWORTH, PAUL ANTHONY DEMPSEY, CLINT WESLEY HYNDMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind