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.
Pitiful Rattle
764-HERO Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The credits roll without my name.
And you need a cigarette just to remember.
This nicotine is all you get for now.
And did you wonder why or how?
And did you offer advice on how it goes?
And who's responsible for me?
And all you'll get is when I inhale, even though it sounds so pathetic to you...
And even though you shake your pitiful rattle around I guess we'll all just wait and see.
And who's responsible for you?
Cuz salt it sinks but sugar floats on through.
And I need a cigarette just to remember.
This smokey world is all you get from me.
And all you'll ever see is when I inhale, even though it sounds so pathetic to you...
And even though you shake your pitiful rattle around I guess we'll all just wait and see.
I'm cruising the neighborhood, how about you?
It's not quite a trading card, but how about you?
Cuz all you'll ever see is me inhaling, even though it sounds so pathetic to you...
And even though you shake your pitiful rattle around I guess we'll all just wait and see.
I know that it's down to me.
And I know that I'm to blame.
The lyrics to 764-HERO's song "Pitiful Rattle" seem to be discussing the feeling of lacking control in one's life. The first stanza focuses on the singer's lack of responsibility for what is happening, with the credits rolling without their name. The mention of the cigarette seems to be a way for the person to hold onto some sense of memory or control, although it is temporary. The last two lines of the stanza add an interesting depth, asking if the person wondered why or tried to offer advice on the situation at hand. It is almost as if the singer is challenging the idea of personal responsibility in the face of external factors.
The next two stanzas shift the focus onto the listener, using the same structure and repeating the line "And who's responsible for you?" The repeated use of this line seems to underline the idea of both personal responsibility and lack thereof. The imagery of salt sinking and sugar floating also adds to the sense of control or lack thereof, with the idea that some things are just beyond our control. The chorus repeats the previous idea of inhaling a cigarette and the "pitiful rattle" of the listener's actions, but adds the line "I guess we'll all just wait and see," which seems to suggest a sense of resignation or powerlessness.
The final stanza again shifts focus to the singer, asking what they are doing and comparing it to cruising a neighborhood. The mention of it not being quite a trading card adds an interesting layer of meaning, as if the person is saying that their actions or choices are not something to be commodified or made into a symbol. The final lines again reinforce the idea of personal responsibility and blame, adding a sense of finality to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not responsible for this.
I deny taking responsibility for this situation.
The credits roll without my name.
I did not receive any credit or public acknowledgment for my involvement.
And you need a cigarette just to remember.
You use smoking as a trigger to help you remember.
This nicotine is all you get for now.
Smoking is your only immediate comfort in this situation.
And did you wonder why or how?
Did you question the cause or reason for this situation?
And did you offer advice on how it goes?
Did you provide guidance or suggestions on how to handle the situation?
And who's responsible for me?
Who is in charge or accountable for my well-being in this situation?
It's all a matter of degrees in here.
This situation is complex and requires nuanced understanding.
And all you'll get is when I inhale, even though it sounds so pathetic to you...
The only thing I can offer you is my addiction to smoking, even though you find it sad or weak.
And even though you shake your pitiful rattle around I guess we'll all just wait and see.
Even though you express your disapproval or disappointment, we can only wait and see how this situation unfolds.
And who's responsible for you?
Who is in charge or accountable for your well-being in this situation?
Cuz salt it sinks but sugar floats on through.
Salt sinks while sugar dissolves and spreads throughout.
And all you'll ever see is when I inhale, even though it sounds so pathetic to you...
All you will witness from me is my addiction to smoking, even if you find it sad or weak.
And I need a cigarette just to remember.
I use smoking as a trigger to help me remember.
This smokey world is all you get from me.
Smoking is all I can offer you in this metaphorical smoky world we inhabit.
I'm cruising the neighborhood, how about you?
I am casually exploring the neighborhood, are you doing the same?
It's not quite a trading card, but how about you?
This experience is not exactly something you can collect or trade, but have you had a similar experience?
And even though you shake your pitiful rattle around I guess we'll all just wait and see.
Even though you express your disapproval or disappointment, we can only wait and see how this situation unfolds.
I know that it's down to me.
I acknowledge that I am solely responsible for this situation.
And I know that I'm to blame.
I accept culpability for the events that have occurred.
Contributed by Ruby Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.