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.
Without Fire
764-HERO Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were lying about who you knew.
And you kick out of habit I guess
You'll have to do.
Now again, we've started out
The way you do whatever she would say.
You know how hard it is
We never looked at it that way.
We never had it so bad.
I saw you.
You were lying about who you knew.
And you touch out of habit I guess
You'll have to do.
Now again, we've started out
The way you do whatever she would say.
You know how hard it is
When you're going the wrong way.
We never looked at it that way.
We never had it so bad.
And you took down
What they offered.
Everything down to the wire.
And you're so damn disappointed.
Hassle without any fire.
And you took down
What they offered.
Everything down to the wire.
And you're so damn disappointed.
Castle without any fire.
And you took down
What they offered.
Everything down to the wire.
And you're so damn disappointed.
Castle without any fire
The song "Without Fire" by 764-HERO explores the themes of lying and disappointment in relationships. The first part of the song describes the singer seeing someone lying about who they knew and kicking out of habit. It's not clear who this person is, but it could be a partner or friend. The second part of the song talks about starting over again in the relationship and how difficult it can be when you're going the wrong way. The line "We never had it so bad" suggests that things have not been going well for them.
The chorus of the song repeats the lines "And you took down what they offered. Everything down to the wire. And you're so damn disappointed. Hassle without any fire." This could refer to the idea of settling for less in a relationship or accepting something just because it's being offered to you. The phrase "hassle without any fire" suggests a lack of passion and excitement in the relationship.
Overall, "Without Fire" is a melancholic reflection on relationships that have lost their spark and the disappointment that can come with settling for less.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw you.
The singer saw the person referred to in the lyrics.
You were lying about who you knew.
The person was being dishonest about their connections.
And you kick out of habit I guess
You'll have to do.
The person has a habit of kicking, which is observed by the singer.
Now again, we've started out
The way you do whatever she would say.
The relationship between the person and someone else follows a pattern of the person always following the other's lead.
You know how hard it is
When you're going the wrong way.
It is difficult to navigate when one is on the wrong path.
We never looked at it that way.
We never had it so bad.
The situation is worse than the two had realized.
And you touch out of habit I guess
You'll have to do.
The person has a habit of touching, which is observed by the singer.
And you took down
What they offered.
The person accepted what was offered to them.
Everything down to the wire.
The person accepted everything they were offered, without hesitation.
And you're so damn disappointed.
The person is extremely let down.
Castle without any fire.
The person lacks passion or enthusiasm, despite the opportunities they accepted.
Contributed by Samuel V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.