The band self-released their debut album Unicorns Are People Too in March 2003 through their own record label Caterpillars of the Community, with a limited press run of 500 copies.
In October of the same year they went back into the studio, recording several new songs as well as reworking a number of songs from their debut. The resulting second album, Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?, was released in November 2003 on the label Alien8 Recordings, and was a notable departure for a label that has traditionally released albums by avantgarde and highly experimental artists such as Acid Mothers Temple and noise pioneer Merzbow.
The album received glowing reviews from The Village Voice, NME, online magazine Pitchfork and numerous other publications around the world, and it quickly earned the band a fanatical following on the indie-rock circuit. The band toured constantly for 13 months following its release, initially supporting fellow Canadian band Hot Hot Heat across North America before proceeding to play to sell-out crowds in Australia, Europe and the UK, as well as touring several more times across the US and Canada.
The band's hectic touring schedule took its toll, however, and by the time of their Australian tour in December 2004 they were showing signs of exhaustion, playing reportedly lukewarm shows and verbally clashing with audience members. On December 28, 2004, a short message appeared on the Unicorns' website reading "THE UNICORNS ARE DEAD, (R.I.P.)," leading fans to speculate as to whether they had broken up. In early February of 2005 pitchforkmedia.com reported that The Unicorns had split. Also the website solidpr.com issued a press statement on the band's behalf confirming the claims of break-up.
Thorburn and Thompson continue to collaborate together as Th' Corn Gangg (a pop/hip-hop project) and Islands (a pop project).
Penner released a 7" on the Melbourne-based Art School Dropout label. The a-side, "The Ghost Of Creaky Crater", was recorded in Melbourne on December 19, 2004 while The Unicorns were touring the country. The release was limited to 100 copies. Penner now performs under the name Dub Intefadah.
From Wikipedia
Child Star
The Unicorns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
or zipped down jeans?
do you look up at night and wish you were me, under the stage
under hot lights?
are you visceral viscous?
do you want to make love to my sweet visage,
and then pretend it's you, it's you
CHILD FAN
i wrote you a letter to become a member of your fanclub
but all i got in the mail was return to sender
STAR
I'm still a big big star
FAN
No you're not
STAR
Yes I am
FAN
No you're not
STAR
Yes I am
FAN
No you're not.
STAR
You liked my latest film
FAN
No I didn't
STAR
Yes you did
FAN
No I didn't
STAR
Yes you did
FAN
No I didn't
FAN
I'm not a fan of yours anymore
STAR
Yes you are
FAN
No I'm not
STAR
Yes you are
FAN
No I'm not
STAR
Yes you are
FAN
But you broke my fragile heart
STAR
No I didn't
FAN
Yes you did
STAR
No I didn't
FAN
Yes you did
STAR
No I didn't
FAN
I hate you
STAR
I hate you too
FAN
I hate you
STAR
I hate you too
FAN: I hate you
STAR: I hate you
and repeat
The Unicorns' song Child Star is a satirical commentary on the idea of fame and the obsession that some fans have with celebrities. The lyrics depict a conversation between a child fan and a star, who is trying to convince the fan that they are still a big star despite the fan's doubts. The first verse paints an image of the star as an object of desire - someone who is adored and worshipped by their fans. The star seems to revel in this attention and is asking the fan if they want to be them, under the stage and hot lights.
In the chorus, the fan confronts the star about their status and the star insists that they are still a big star. The fan is incredulous and insists that they are not a fan anymore, but the star continues to insist that they are.
The second verse depicts the fan's attempt to become a member of the star's fan club, but their efforts are unsuccessful as the letter is returned to sender. The conversation in the chorus then repeats, with the fan and the star arguing back and forth about their status and their relationship with each other.
The overall message of the song seems to be that fame is fleeting and that celebrity worship can be unhealthy and obsessive. The star is shown to be insecure and desperate for validation, while the fan is shown to be disillusioned and ultimately disinterested in the star's celebrity status.
Line by Line Meaning
is there a photo of me on your wall in short short-shorts
or zipped down jeans?
Do you have a picture of me in revealing clothing hanging up on your wall or in your possession?
do you look up at night and wish you were me, under the stage
under hot lights?
Do you fantasize about being me, performing on stage with all eyes on you?
are you visceral viscous?
Are you someone who is both deeply emotional and has a tendency to be thick or sticky in texture?
do you want to make love to my sweet visage,
and then pretend it's you, it's you
it was always you
Do you desire to have sex with my attractive face and then pretend that you are actually me, living out your fantasies?
CHILD FAN
i wrote you a letter to become a member of your fanclub
but all i got in the mail was return to sender
I attempted to join your fan club by sending a letter, but it was returned to me instead of being accepted.
STAR
I'm still a big big star
I am still a widely recognized and successful celebrity.
FAN
No you're not
STAR
Yes I am
FAN
No you're not
STAR
Yes I am
FAN
No you're not.
The fan insists that the star is no longer a big star, while the star insists that they are still a big star.
STAR
You liked my latest film
FAN
No I didn't
STAR
Yes you did
FAN
No I didn't
STAR
Yes you did
FAN
No I didn't
The star claims that the fan enjoyed their most recent movie, but the fan insists that they did not.
FAN
I'm not a fan of yours anymore
STAR
Yes you are
FAN
No I'm not
STAR
Yes you are
FAN
No I'm not
The fan declares that they are no longer a fan, but the star continues to insist that they are.
FAN
But you broke my fragile heart
STAR
No I didn't
FAN
Yes you did
STAR
No I didn't
FAN
Yes you did
The fan accuses the star of breaking their heart, but the star denies it.
FAN
I hate you
STAR
I hate you too
FAN
I hate you
STAR
I hate you too
FAN: I hate you
STAR: I hate you
and repeat
The fan and the star continue to repeat their mutual hatred for each other.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind