The band's first release was a single, "The Lords of Summer" issued by Sydney label Phantom Records in 1988. Following this, The Mark of Cain's drummer situation became reasonably stable for some time with the addition of Campbell Robinson and the band issued two albums on Adelaide label Dominator Records, Battlesick in 1989 and The Unclaimed Prize in 1991. The band's music came to the attention of Steve Albini, who produced their next release, the 1993 EP "Incoming". This was the recording debut for Robinson's replacement Aaron Hewson, who had joined the band shortly after the release of The Unclaimed Prize.
Albini's involvement with The Mark of Cain in turn led to Henry Rollins producing the band's breakthrough album, 1995's Ill at Ease. The first release on Sydney alternative label rooArt, Ill at Ease was the also the first to win wide radio support, with Triple J giving the singles "First Time" and "LMA" solid airplay. A national tour followed, after which Hewitt left and Campbell Robinson returned. The next year, The Mark of Cain released Rock And Roll, a collection of remixes by artists such as Paul Mac and B(if)tek. The band also contributed some songs to the soundtrack of the Australian film Idiot Box including a cover of "Degenerate Boy" by early Australian punk band X. This was a minor hit. Robinson was replaced by Stuart Baguley in late 1998 but Stanier was mooted as a member from mid-1999. He was taken on to provide the drumming on the next album This is This which was produced by Andy Gill of Gang of Four, one of The Mark of Cain's early influences. This is This was released by BMG in 2001 with the announcement that Stainer was now the band's permanent drummer.
According to their official website, www.tmoc.com.au, The Mark of Cain will be entering the studio with John Stanier to record a new album in February 2008.
First Time
The Mark Of Cain Lyrics
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Well I've withdrawn from the perfect image
And when I did, when I was done
I didn't even want to know her name
I get it up
I get it down
And I can see
I'm pretty tight, pretty tight
I'm pretty tight, pretty tight
I'm pretty tight alright
Hit it
For the first time
Well for the first time
For the first time
Rumour had it she left me
I wasn't right
I wasn't wrong
Too far from weak
Too far from strong
And she go in when I go out
And I'd go out when she go in
And I can see, and I can see
That I can do without, I can do without
That I can do without
That I can do without
That I can do without
That I can do without
That I can do without
Do without
Do without
I was acting strangely
As I hit the curb
Trying to reach out
Inwardly disturbed
Crazy enough to reach in
Try kill what was inside
Without killing me
Only too late
I realised, I realised
You can kill it
For the first time
Well for the first time
For the first time
First time
The Mark Of Cain’s song “First Time” tells a story of someone who has withdrawn from the perfect image they’ve always projected and has experienced some kind of upheaval in their relationship with their partner. The song starts with the singer mentioning that he has withdrawn from the perfect image that he has built for himself and as he has done so, he realizes that he doesn’t even want to know her name. The singer then sings about how he can get himself up and down and that he can see what’s right for him. He’s tight enough not to falter and hits everything right on the right notes.
The second verse talks about the turmoil that he goes through in his relationship. He mentions that there was a rumor that she left him, but he’s not anyone to blame. He wasn't right nor wrong, couldn't have been weaker, couldn't have been stronger. There is also a very interesting back and forth throughout the song as to who goes out and who comes in. The singer ends the verse saying that he can do without her, he can do without whatsoever is making him feel this way.
The chorus serves as a reminder that this is the first time the singer is going through all these changes. The singer was acting crazy enough to almost kill what's inside of him but eventually realizes that he cannot do that without killing himself. The song ends with a realization that he can kill it, he no longer needs it, and he can do without it.
Line by Line Meaning
For the first time in my life it seems
It feels like the first time in my life that I've withdrawn from the perfect image.
Well I've withdrawn from the perfect image
I have stopped trying to live up to an idealized image of myself.
And when I did, when I was done
After I stopped trying to be perfect,
I didn't even want to know her name
I didn't care about the woman I was with enough to know her name.
I get it up
I am successful at what I do.
I get it down
I am capable of handling difficult situations.
And I can see
I understand.
What's right for me
What I need to do that is best for myself.
I'm pretty tight, pretty tight
I am skilled at what I do.
I'm pretty tight, pretty tight
I am confident in my abilities.
I'm pretty tight alright
I am very skilled and confident.
Hit it
Let's get started.
Rumour had it she left me
I heard a rumour that the woman I was with had left me.
I wasn't right
I wasn't behaving correctly or rationally.
I wasn't wrong
I wasn't doing anything bad or harmful either.
Too far from weak
I wasn't being passive or submissive.
Too far from strong
I wasn't being assertive or dominant either.
And she go in when I go out
She wants to be close to me when I am distant.
And I'd go out when she go in
I want to be away from her when she wants to be close.
That I can do without, I can do without
I no longer want or need her in my life.
Do without
I can manage without her.
I was acting strangely
I was not behaving in a normal or healthy way.
As I hit the curb
I crashed my car into the curb.
Trying to reach out
I was attempting to connect with something or someone.
Inwardly disturbed
I was upset or confused about something within myself.
Crazy enough to reach in
I was willing to take extreme measures to try and fix myself.
Try kill what was inside
I was trying to eliminate something within myself.
Without killing me
Without causing harm to myself.
Only too late
I realized much later.
I realised, I realised
I finally understood.
You can kill it
It is possible to eliminate the problem within oneself.
First time
This is the first time that I have realized this.
Contributed by Molly P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.