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.
LMA
The Mark Of Cain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Breaks me in two every time
You were Icarus in a dress
Powerless
Me too
A flash of blue under the stairs
All the times I could've cared
I know where I'd rather be
With you
And don't ask me why
Don't ask me why
Indian perfume in the summer time
Breaks me in two every time
It's you
It's you
Did you ever think that you would be
Dead at twenty five
Daisies at your feet
LMA
Did you ever think that you would be
Dead at twenty five
Daisies at your feet
LMA
Ah LMA
LMA
Did you ever think that you would be
Dead at twenty five
Daisies at your feet
Did you ever think that you would be
Dead at twenty five
With daisies at your feet
LMA
Ah LMA
LMA
LMA
LMA
LMA
The Mark of Cain's song "LMA" is a haunting tribute to an individual who has passed away too soon. Throughout the song, there is a sense of regret and longing for what could have been. The opening line of "Indian perfume in the summer time, breaks me in two every time" conveys a sense of nostagia and heartbreak. The use of the word "breaks" implies physical and emotional pain, suggesting a deep feeling of loss.
The second line continues the theme of Greek mythology, which is referenced in the lyric "Icarus in a dress". Here, the character of Icarus is used to represent the idea of someone trying to reach too far and ultimately failing. The line "powerless, me too" suggests that the singer also feels powerless to change the situation. There is a sense of empathy and shared pain in this lyric.
The rest of the song continues to circle around themes of loss and missed opportunities. The chorus of "Did you ever think that you would be dead at twenty five, daisies at your feet, LMA" is particularly poignant. "LMA" is likely a reference to the person who has died, and the image of daisies at their feet is a heartbreaking one. The final lines of the song repeat the chorus over and over, as if trying to process the loss and come to terms with it.
Overall, "LMA" is a powerful and emotionally charged song that captures the feeling of mourning and regret after losing someone too soon.
Line by Line Meaning
Indian perfume in the summer time
The scent of Indian perfume during summer brings back memories and emotions.
Breaks me in two every time
The scent of Indian perfume is powerful enough to elicit strong emotions and feelings
You were Icarus in a dress
You were full of ambition and the desire to fly, but that ambition led to your downfall
Powerless
Just as Icarus was powerless to stop his own descent, the subject of the song was unable to control their own fate
Me too
The artist also feels powerless and affected by the subject's death
A flash of blue under the stairs
A memory of a specific moment shared with the subject of the song under a staircase
All the times I could've cared
The singer reflects on missed opportunities to show they cared about the subject of the song
All the times I'd had with you
The artist reminisces on the time spent with the subject
I know where I'd rather be
Despite their death, the artist would rather be with the subject
With you
The artist desires to be with the subject of the song
And don't ask me why
The singer does not have a specific answer for their emotions
It's you
The subject of the song is the reason for the artist's emotions
Did you ever think that you would be
A rhetorical question asking if the subject of the song ever considered their own mortality
Dead at twenty five
The subject of the song died at the age of 25
Daisies at your feet
A reference to the tradition of placing flowers at the feet of the deceased
LMA
An abbreviation for 'Love and Miss Always,' an indication of the artist's feelings towards the subject of the song
Ah LMA
A repetition of the abbreviation, emphasizing the artist's feelings
LMA
The last repetition of the abbreviation
Contributed by John J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
JC Considine
So poignant, and so eloquently told. Thank you for turning something so painful into such a brilliant song.
ns ramage
❤️
Mel Pickering
LMA is perfection.
Dane Austin
I feel ya
neil nelson
That shit is way heavy,
long time lurker first time poster. I had googled the meaning to LMA but to know you are here taking the time to write blows my mind. Thank you for sharing the shitty times and the good times. It means a fucken lot to know that the brains behind this song cares about what it means to others. I LOVE this song. Again i thank you. This song brings me peace.
that guy
Oh man. This is 97 summed up in one song. This whole album was perfect.
sin cara
Will never forget watching this on Rage at 3am, Aussie hardcore at it's best
Sean Balfour
Hey fuck !!! Thanks a lot .... this song remains one of my all time favourites
I had many friends die from smack in Melbourne in late nineties when the gear was too good, too cheap...
Such a beautiful tribute to your friend, I’ve had many dysfunctional friends , they got me .
I always dug your gigs ,
Thanks had to share .
Thanks for the heart breaking honesty .
Tears are never far away when I listen to this ... brings back smells , feelings and places and people I can never forget .
Mat B
I love this great song. Thank you for sharing the inception.
Leroy Who
After all these years, I stumble across this fabulous tune, and attached is John’s explanation of it; just amazing. Thanks so much for sharing. ❤️