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
Thunder and Lightning
The Unicorns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't care
Leave their corpses
In my underwear
Smoke plumes become clouds
You just blend in
Tu Vas Et Tu
Tu Veins
The lyrics to The Unicorns' song "Thunder and Lightning" are open to interpretation, as many lyrics in their music often are. However, there seems to be a theme of indifference or apathy towards certain things. The repeated line "I don't care" emphasizes this sentiment. The imagery of "corpses in my underwear" suggests a careless or reckless attitude towards potential consequences. The line "smoke plumes become clouds" could be interpreted as a commentary on the effects of pollution and how it is often ignored or overlooked. The final French lines "Tu vas et tu, tu veins" roughly translate to "You come and you go" or "You do what you want". This reinforces the idea of a lack of concern for things outside of oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't care
I am indifferent and unaffected by what is happening.
I don't care
I am steadfast in my apathy and lack of concern.
Leave their corpses
I am detached and unconcerned with the consequences of my actions, even if they result in death.
In my underwear
I am comfortable and relaxed, indifferent to societal norms and expectations.
Smoke plumes become clouds
I am observing the transformation of something harmful and destructive into something beautiful and natural.
You just blend in
I see others as conformists who lack individuality and originality.
Tu Vas Et Tu
I am expressing my dismissive and carefree attitude, which translates to 'you go and you do.'
Tu Veins
I am suggesting that others should live their lives without worry or concern, as it translates to 'you come.'
Contributed by Sophia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jimmy Shrimbe
My god I’m gonna cry while my heart explodes because this is so good it melted my brain down my neck to my heart. It was hot, my heart was combustible apparently. I love these guys! So glad they re used this riff with Islands ❤️
The Family Dog
Leave it to The Unicorns to take lyrics like "I don't care, leave their corpses in my underwear" and make them sound absolutely profound.
David Rod
this really hits the spot in my soul!
cgwhip
The fact that i heard swans 1000 times before I ever heard this one makes this so nostalgic and way better for a first time listen.
Angelo Rosales
I wish they’d come back so much
jornmann
perhaps in 2024
little ghost
@birdflesh remember how "Unicorns 2014" ended tho? "Lie lie lie lie lie lie". They told us from the beginning lol
birdflesh
I thought for sure they were going to reunite for good in 2014 and as the year wrapped up, so did my hopes for that happening. 😥
felip v
hi
Darren Nelson
I love the album artwork, it's a little more avant garde than the norm. I absolutely adore ink washes as well. This may not actually be an ink wash, but it very closely resembles one. Regardless, neato. The song is pretty amazing too, but so are all of the songs by the Unicorns.