The Unicorns
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Founder | Nicholas Thorburn, Alden Penner |
| Defunct | 2004 (brief reunion in 2014) |
| Headquarters | Canada |
Key people | Nicholas Thorburn, Alden Penner, J'aime Tambeur |
| Products | Albums, singles, EPs |
The Unicorns were a rock group originating from Canada, established in 2000 by Nicholas Thorburn (known as Nick Diamonds) from British Columbia and Alden Penner (also called Alden Ginger) from Quebec. Drummer J'aime Tambeur became part of the lineup in December 2003. The band dissolved toward the end of 2004 but briefly came together again for performances in 2014.
History
Formed in December 2000, The Unicorns began their journey in Canada. Thorburn and Penner, who met during high school in 1998, quickly connected through mutual interests. They independently recorded a nine-track album titled Unicorns Are People Too, which was released in March 2003 on their own label, Caterpillars of the Community. This initial pressing was limited to 500 copies but gained wider exposure through online file-sharing platforms. Additionally, they created a Mini CDr named Three Inches of Blood to promote early live shows. Although a split 7-inch with Arcade Fire was announced, it ultimately never saw release.
In the middle of 2003, the band entered the studio with producer Mark Lawson in Montreal to record their first full-length album, Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?. This record featured reimagined versions of songs from their earlier work and included contributions from Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire) as well as drummer Jamie Thompson, who joined as a touring member later that year. Released in November 2003 by Alien8 Recordings across North America and Rough Trade Records in Europe, the album earned widespread praise from outlets such as The Village Voice, NME, and Pitchfork Media.
Following the release, The Unicorns embarked on extensive tours throughout North America, Europe, and Australia. They performed alongside artists like The Decemberists, The Fiery Furnaces, Hot Hot Heat, and Arcade Fire. Music videos for "Jellybones" and "I Was Born (A Unicorn)" were broadcast on MTV2's 120 Minutes. In May 2004, Suicide Squeeze Records from Seattle issued the EP The Unicorns: 2014. The band became known for their unpredictable and often intense live shows, described by some as both "unruly" and at times "transcendent."
Split and subsequent projects
The demanding nature of their touring schedule led to mounting tensions within the group, culminating in their final performance at Houston’s Engine Room on December 20, 2004. During this show, they debuted unreleased tracks such as "Haunted House" and "Rough Gem," the latter later recorded by Islands. On December 28, an announcement appeared on their website stating "THE UNICORNS ARE DEAD, (R.I.P.)," confirming that by January 2005 the band had officially disbanded. Thompson later cited relentless touring and internal disagreements as reasons behind the breakup.
Afterward, Thorburn and Thompson worked together on the hip-hop ensemble Th' Corn Gangg as well as the indie rock group Islands. Thompson departed Islands in May 2006 but rejoined in 2009 before leaving once more in 2010. In 2005, Thorburn co-wrote the satirical charity track "Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?" and engaged in projects like Reefer, Human Highway, and Mister Heavenly. In July 2011, he released I Am an Attic under his Unicorns alias "Nick Diamonds" via Bandcamp.
Penner released the single "The Ghost of Creaky Crater" on Melbourne’s Art School Dropout label during a tour in 2005. His later endeavors include involvement with Clues and The Hidden Words, where he reunited with Thompson. Penner unveiled his solo album Exegesis through Bandcamp in February 2014.
Reunion
In the early months of 2014, ten years following their disbandment, the group came back together to open for Arcade Fire during select arena performances in Inglewood, California, and Brooklyn, New York. On September 21, 2014, they served as the main act at the Pop Montreal Festival held at Metropolis, although no additional concert dates have been publicized since. Their album Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone? was re-released on both CD and vinyl formats through their independent label, Caterpillar Records.
Members
- Nick 'Neil' Diamonds (Nicholas Thorburn) – lead vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards
- Alden Ginger (Alden Penner) – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards
- J'aime Tambeur (Jamie Thompson) – percussion
Albums
- Unicorns Are People Too independently released CD (2003)
- Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone? CD and LP (2003; reissued in 2014)
Singles/EPs
- Three Inches of Blood Mini CDR (2002)
- The Unicorns: 2014 CD and 7" vinyl (2004)