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.
Coastline
764-HERO Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ready for another coastline, again
you only knew a couple of words but that don't matter
headed for another coastline, again
we don't belong here now
they should shoot us looking down
they should shoot us looking down
it only helped an hour or two
and then we're lost
stranded on another coast line, forever
and there we were dying for gas and then we knew
everything about the coastline was true
we don't belong here now
they should shoot us looking down
we don't belong here now
they should shoot us looking down
around it
we found it
around it
we found it
we only left an hour ago and now we feel
stranded on another coastline, together
The song "Coastline" by 764-HERO is about a journey to an unknown place. The lyrics describe the feeling of being lost and stranded in a new location. The singer's companion is not familiar with the place they are going to, but that does not matter to the singer. They are both excited to embark on a new adventure and discover a new landscape.
The repeated phrase "headed for another coastline, again" signifies the longing for exploration and newness. They are not content with staying in one place and want to constantly discover new places. However, as they arrive at their new destination, they begin to feel like outsiders. The line "we don't belong here now, they should shoot us looking down" expresses the idea that they are not welcomed there.
The final lines "we only left an hour ago and now we feel stranded on another coastline, together" emphasize the importance of having a companion during this journey. Even though they are lost and feel like outsiders, they have each other and are able to face the unknown together.
Line by Line Meaning
you took an hour or two and then we packed
We quickly got our things together in just an hour or two and got ready to leave for yet another coastline.
ready for another coastline, again
We were excited and prepared for another adventure on the coastline, just like we had done before.
you only knew a couple of words but that don't matter
Even though you didn't know much about the place we were going to, it didn't matter because we were happy to explore and discover new things together.
headed for another coastline, again
We were on our way to explore another coastline, just like we had done before.
we don't belong here now
they should shoot us looking down
we don't belong here now
they should shoot us looking down
We feel like we don't fit in here and that we should be punished for being outsiders who don't belong.
it only helped an hour or two
and then we're lost
stranded on another coast line, forever
We felt like we had a grasp on where we were going, but soon after we felt lost and stuck on this new coastline, unsure if we could ever find our way back.
and there we were dying for gas and then we knew
everything about the coastline was true
As we desperately searched for gas, we realized that everything we had heard and read about this coastline was true.
around it
we found it
around it
we found it
As we circled the coastline, we eventually discovered what we were looking for.
we only left an hour ago and now we feel
stranded on another coastline, together
Despite only leaving our previous location an hour ago, we already feel stuck on this new coastline, but at least we're in it together.
Contributed by Sadie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.