The Lucksmiths announced that they are breaking up today.

Fuck. By the way, I don't really use this blog anymore, and this is going to be a really pointless post, but I'm self-banned from Tumblr and I want to vent about this a little and I can't think of a friend who won't think I'm a moron if I call them all upset, so general internettage it is. Maybe someone sympathetic will stumble upon this, and and...

1993-2009. Sigh.

From- http://www.thelucksmiths.com.au/:

Dear Friends,

There's no easy way to put this, so please accept our apologies for the seemingly abrupt nature of this post. We are saddened to announce that after sixteen years as The Lucksmiths, the band has decided to break up.

The last few years have been an uphill battle in many ways, so this isn't a hasty decision based on any falling-out between band members, but rather, an acceptance of the inevitable. This decision was finally reached a few months back, so we've had plenty of time to let it sink in.

We had tried to operate the band in a way that would suit all of us, but at the same time we've been very conscious that too much compromise would in the end affect our creative output. We're very proud of the music we make, and we certainly didn't want it to start stinking. So, in taking our cues from Devo, we've decided to whip the proverbial cream before it sits out too long.

We're really excited about our upcoming European tour, and have booked some Australian dates for our "farewell tour" in August. The details for these shows are in our gig guide. We really hope to see as many people at these shows as possible, as we will be playing super long sets, cramming in as many old favourites as possible.

We must apologise for not making it back to the USA, Canada, Japan, New Zealand or Singapore, or to the other amazing European countries we've previously visited — and for never having made it to the other fifty or so countries we'd hoped to tour one day.

We really want to thank you all, especially the wonderful people who've helped us out in any way, and anyone who's listened to our music or come to a show. We've loved having you in our world and we will miss you dearly.

xo The Lucksmiths

An email from the Lucksmiths' label, Matinee Recordings, added, "Tali White, the band's lead singer and drummer, has decided to further pursue his career as a primary school teacher, while Marty Donald, Mark Monnone, and Louis Richter intend to head forth into new musical terrain whilst juggling parenthood, study and the fun-park ride that is casual employment." (Pitchfork)

Maybe it's just the stress and the everything and that I get silly about stuff, but I am trying to stop crying right now and it's difficult. School is bad and can only get worse. Gotta leave to go see Hamlet in half an hour. As much as I dig the play, really hope this production is teen-lite, as am so not in the mood for something depressing and long! Agh the trials and tribulations of the teenaged middle class, haha. "FML." Incidentally, The Lucksmiths are playing a show with Okkervil River in Melbourne this Sunday! Oh if only I lived there and was 18 and not in school and shit.

The upside is that they're playing a farewell tour with Darren Hanlon supporting. The other downside though is that that Factory gig is on the 21st of August which is EXACTLY in the middle of HSC Trial exams, which are the ones that actually count at my school. And also I have seen them live before only once but they were supporting Hellogoobye and HGB fans are insanely rude! But that time was really good anyway and I met Tali afterwards and he was so sweet. "There seem to be alot of people here tonight who have fridges!" Nawhh.

P.S. If you don't know who they are what you should know is they are super cute and their songs are "redolent with ordinary minituae". As The Vine puts it:

The bands live shows became legendary, as much for the hilarious interplay between the three members - guitarist Marty Donald, bassist Mark Monnone and drummer/lead vocalist Tali White - as for their signature tunes. With Monnones's bass bubbling away alongside White's deft snare and cymbal work, (lead guitarist Louis Richter joined the fold in 2004) it was Donald's wry lyrical observations and razor sharp wordplay that elevated the band to cult status. His tales of simple vices and local lifestyles easily elevated to universal level, pathos streaked with kid humour and bittersweet nostalgia. Or as Wikipedia pithily puts it:

Songs by the Lucksmiths are mostly about love and relationships, but also deal with other everyday issues such as notable friends or warm weather.

You may be stupid Wikipedia but, sometimes, you are also right.

Thank you for the music guys!

((EDIT: The Sydney show is in fact 18+ only. Frignuts.))

((Double Edit: No it's not! Fuck school, we're going!)