764-HERO was an indie rock band from Seattle, Washington, signed to Up Reco… Read Full Bio ↴764-HERO was an indie rock band from Seattle, Washington, signed to Up Records. The band's name, suggested by a friend, is taken from the Washington State Department of Transportation phone number for reporting HOV lane violators.

Formed in 1995, the original members were singer/guitarist and Seattle native, John Atkins from Hush Harbor and drummer Polly Johnson from Bell Jar. The band released two 7" records, the full-length album Salt Sinks, Sugar Floats and the EP We’re Solids in quick succession. With just two members 764-HERO were able to create a national following with their unique sound and powerful live shows.

The two members released their debut album Salt Sinks Sugar Floats in 1996. Known locally for their powerful live preformances the duo quickly garnered a national audience. For their second full length album, Get Here And Stay, James Bertram,(Lync, Red Stars Theory) played bass guitar. The third album, Weekends of Sound (considered by many to be the band's swan song) included Bertram as well, and the band also added a keyboard player. Bertram left soon after, but was replaced by another bassist, and the band remained a four-member act.

In 1998, the band was set to perform live on the radio and thought they'd mix it up a bit. They called their old friend James Bertram from Red Stars Theory (ex-Lync and Beck) and asked him to play bass. The session went so well they decided to make it permanent. With the new line up in place they recorded "Get Here and Stay". While "Salt Sinks" was undoubtedly a great record, "Get Here and Stay" was in a whole other realm, a fully realized sound with amazing songwriting and outstanding musicianship.

After several full tours and the "Whenever You See Fit" EP with Modest Mouse, the band got to work on "Weekends of Sound". Recorded in early 2000 with Phil Ek (who also produced "Get Here and Stay" as well as most of Built to Spill's releases) the band hasn't strayed to far from the sounds of "Get Here and Stay".

Following the release of "Weekends" the band embarked on a tour of the U.S. with pals Modest Mouse. Shortly after the tour, citing creative differences, James Bertram parted ways with 764-HERO. But it didn't take long before Robin P. stepped in to strap on the four stringed beast and bring 764 back up to speed. John and Polly met Robin while he played second guitar for Modest Mouse on tour. He started as a temporary replacement so the band could tour but quickly turned into a permanent member of the band.

Around 2001, John Atkins got together with friend Joe Plummer to release songs he felt woudn't fit under the 764-Hero title, and thusly, The Magic Magicians were born. In 2001, they released their debut album "Girls".

The band moved over to Tiger Style for their latest release "Nobody Knows This is Everywhere" and they headed out on tour in March 2002.

The band broke up in 2002

The Magic Magicians have continued on, though, with the latest release being their self-titled album in 2003.

Calendar Pages
764-HERO Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

we don't change our calendar pages anymore
out of fear
what we don't know
can only hurt us in time
away

we don't change our calendar pages anymore
out of fear

what we don't know
can only hurt us in time
takin' it slow

waited so long for you
to change
waited so long for you
today

we don't change our calendar pages anymore
leave them the same
what we don't know
only hurt us in time
away

waited so long for you
to change

waited so long for you
today

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Calendar Pages" by 764-HERO suggest a reluctance to move forward or progress due to fear of the unknown. The repetition of "we don't change our calendar pages anymore out of fear" emphasizes this point, indicating a lack of courage to venture into uncharted territory. The line "what we don't know can only hurt us in time away" could suggest that there is a comfort in staying where one is, but that eventually the lack of progress will lead to negative ramifications. The lyrics also allude to a desire for change, with lines like "waited so long for you to change" indicating a longing for something new and different.

Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of being stuck in a stagnant state due to fear of the unknown, but also a desire for change and progress. It is a commentary on the human tendency to stay in our comfort zones and avoid taking risks, even if it may ultimately be detrimental.

Line by Line Meaning

we don't change our calendar pages anymore
We no longer change the calendar pages as fear grips us

out of fear
The fear of the unknown has paralysed us

what we don't know
The things that we are unaware of

can only hurt us in time
Could have a lasting impact on our lives

away
As we flee from confronting the unknown

we don't change our calendar pages anymore
We simply leave the calendars unturned

out of fear
As our fear continues to consume us

what we don't know
The things that we are unaware of

can only hurt us in time
Could have a lasting impact on our lives

takin' it slow
We take our time to process the fear

waited so long for you
We have been patient for so long waiting for some sort of change to take place