The Lucksmiths were an influential indie pop band formed in Melbourne, Aust… Read Full Bio ↴The Lucksmiths were an influential indie pop band formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1993. The members are Martin Donald (Guitar), Taliesyn 'Tali' White (Vocals, Drums), and Mark Monnone (Bass) and in 2004 they acquired Mid State Orange's guitarist Louis Richter on second guitar. Whilst originating from beach-side Melbourne, the original three members of The Lucksmiths moved to inner Melbourne and fell in love with its charms. The songs Under the Rotunda, The Cassingle Revival and Tmrw Vs Y'Day all demonstrate as much. In the early 90's, they met Chris Crouch who had founded Candle Records. Crouch consequently began releasing their records, and they began to play the Melbourne indie circuit, most notably the Punters Club. This venue clearly holds a special place in The Lucksmiths' history as seen in the song Requiem for the Punters Club, written after its conversion to hipster bar Bimbos. While the others still reside in various inner Melbourne suburbs, Mark now lives in coastal Tasmania. This has not harmed the quality of The Lucksmiths' work nor is it a reflection of intra-band tension.

The Lucksmiths are noted for their simple melodies rich in humour and ironic verse. The majority of songs are written by Marty Donald. Although, both Tali White and Mark Monnone have written some of the band's finest songs. Many of their lyrics are based on the eccentricities of the everyday. Several songs also deal with the more usual pop-song issues of romance in relationships, but in a unique, gentle and easy-to-relate-to way.

There is also a persistent theme of Melbourne culture, most notably that of the inner city, as seen in frequent references to Melburnian placenames and themes. For examples, see the song The Sandringham Line, and many others. The Lucksmiths are also renowned for their creative use of language. English idioms and proverbs are referred to, played with and utilised to create poetically spontaneous verse. The songs virtually define clever lyricism. Whilst many of the idioms and references are distinctly Australian, their coupling of fantastic narrative lyrics with melody makes them so internationally accessible. Further, their songs almost always maintain a solid narrative with sensible and relevant choruses. When the narrative is abandoned, it is with good cause and in support of a more simple point (see T-Shirt Weather).

Marty Donald's lyrics in particular are filled with wordplay and puns, in particular the device of twisting a common phrase or cliché. In Frisbee, he says "that was the winter of my discount tent". "The Chapter In Your Life Entitled San Francisco" refers to "the non-specific northwest". Untidy Towns says "I got some mail I didn't open / It's an unread-letter day". Sometimes this can go a bit overboard, as in 'Synchronized Sinking', which contains the lines "why don't you let go of your boy and see / You've lost none of your bouyancy"; but that song also contains "Silhouetted in the smoke / From the shipwrecks at the bar / of the Anchor and Hope", which is, what many would refer to as poetic and skillful use of the English language.

Their musical setup, however, remains unusual and refreshing in a world of drum machines, synthesisers, and other elaborate gear. Tali sings and plays a minimal drum kit standing up at the front of the stage, with Marty to his right, Mark to his left, and Louis behind. This is often seen as a novelty, but nonetheless works perfectly, with their live performances being incredibly tight.

The Lucksmiths have been critically associated with indiepop, anti-folk and retro-pop. However, the band and their fans would consider The Lucksmiths as simply a pop band. This is a much fairer (and accurate) assessment.

In 2009 the band announced their breakup, with their final shows played in August.

Discography

Albums:
* First Tape (1993)
* The Green Bicycle Case (1995)
* What Bird Is That? (1996)
* A Good Kind Of Nervous (1997)
* Happy Secret (1999)
* Why That Doesn't Surprise Me (2001)
* Where Were We? (2002)
* Naturaliste (2003)
* Warmer Corners (2005)
* First Frost (2008)

EPs:
* Boondoggle (1994)
* Staring At The Sky (1999)
* A Little Distraction (2003)
* The Chapter In Your Life Entitled San Francisco (2005)
* A Hiccup In Your Happiness (2006)

Cassingles:
* Greatest Hits (?)

Even Stevens
The Lucksmiths Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I won't lie
I don't like you whispering that way
It's your turn
It's your turn of phrase that gives you away
The games we play

One to you in the afternoon
And one to me in the evening

Seven years of Scrabble
And we're even Steven

Come on
Your complaining is getting on my nerves
At least, at last
You're completely lost for words
Did you forget what you deserve?

One to you in the afternoon
And one to me in the evening
Seven years of Scrabble
And we're even stevens

I know it's a consequence
Of clinging to consonants
But P-R-L-N-Q-F-C
Spells trouble to me

Come on

Overall Meaning

In The Lucksmiths' song Even Stevens, the singer expresses reluctance and annoyance toward the person they are with. The lyrics imply that the person is misleading or dishonest, with their choice of words giving them away. The phrase "the games we play" suggests a sense of competition or manipulation between the two. The chorus references seven years of playing Scrabble, implying that they are in a long-term relationship or friendship that has been marked by fairly equal give-and-take: "one to you in the afternoon / and one to me in the evening". However, the use of the name "Even Stevens" suggests that there may be a hint of bitterness or frustration underneath this supposed equality.

The second verse continues the theme of annoyance toward the other person, with the singer complaining about their complaining: "your complaining is getting on my nerves". The line "did you forget what you deserve?" suggests that the other person is perhaps demanding or insistent about getting their own way or being treated a certain way. The last lines of the song introduce an element of wordplay with the spelling of "P-R-L-N-Q-F-C", which spells out "trouble". This could suggest that the relationship or situation is indeed troubled, or it could be a playful nod to the complicated dynamics between the two.

Line by Line Meaning

I won't lie
I am being honest about my feelings

I don't like you whispering that way
Your tone bothers me

It's your turn
It's your responsibility

It's your turn of phrase that gives you away
Your choice of words reveals your intentions

The games we play
Our interactions are like games

One to you in the afternoon
You benefit during the day

And one to me in the evening
I benefit at night

Seven years of Scrabble
We've been playing this game for a long time

And we're even Steven
We're tied

Come on
Hurry up

Your complaining is getting on my nerves
I'm annoyed by your constant whining