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 Weâre 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.
Stutter Steps
764-HERO Lyrics
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And you're cranin' your neck so you will not forget
It's the interstate that is crumblin'
Under your V8 and AM mumblin'
Gettin' over it is overrated
Gettin' over it is overrated
And you're drawin' horns on your polaroid
And securin' your place with the unemployed
And the stutter step to light up the cigarette
And you're cranin' your neck so you will not forget
Gettin' over it is overrated
Gettin' over it is overrated
It's what you choose in the wet cement
Either way it's only sediment
"Stutter Steps" by 764-HERO is a song about the struggle to overcome difficulties in life. The lyrics describe various scenes where the singer is trying to remember things or come to terms with a situation. The first verse talks about the act of putting out a cigarette while trying not to forget about something important. The second verse describes driving on the interstate, with the road itself crumbling, while listening to AM radio. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "getting over it is overrated," suggesting that it may be better to accept and deal with one's problems rather than trying to overcome them completely.
The third verse talks about drawing horns on a polaroid photo, possibly as a way to cope with negative feelings towards the subject of the photo. The line "securing your place with the unemployed" could be interpreted as feeling secure in one's misery, or finding comfort in the knowledge that others are in the same situation. The last two lines of the verse describe the act of making a choice, but ultimately realizing that either decision is ultimately inconsequential, like sediment in wet cement.
Overall, the lyrics of "Stutter Steps" seem to convey a sense of resignation and acceptance of life's difficulties, rather than trying to completely overcome them. The repetition of the phrase "getting over it is overrated" emphasizes this theme and suggests that finding peace with one's situation may be a more realistic goal.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the stutter step to put out the cigarette
Pausing briefly to stub out your cigarette
And you're cranin' your neck so you will not forget
Straining your neck to make sure not to leave anything behind
It's the interstate that is crumblin'
The highway is breaking
Under your V8 and AM mumblin'
As you drive with the noise of the engine and radio
Gettin' over it is overrated
Moving on isn't as important as society says it is
And you're drawin' horns on your polaroid
Adding horns to a photo for humor or to portray someone in a negative light
And securin' your place with the unemployed
Feeling reassured in a world where nobody has job security
It's what you choose in the wet cement
The decisions you make in life leave a permanent mark
Either way it's only sediment
At the end of the day, everything is just dust settling
And the stutter step to light up the cigarette
A pause to light up your next cigarette
And you're cranin' your neck so you will not forget
Making sure you leave with everything and don't forget anything important
Gettin' over it is overrated
Letting go of past troubles isn't as necessary as it seems
Contributed by Stella C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.