In 1990, Coomes, Weiss, and Brad Pedinov formed the band Motorgoat. The band released two self-released cassettes and one 7" single before dissolving in 1993. Quasi started recording as a duo in 1993. They played with various additional musicians in early live appearances, but eventually settled on playing live as a duo as well. They self-recorded and self-released a cassette and a CD in 1993. They recorded R&B Transmogrification in the Portland band Pond's basement recording studio and released it on Up Records in 1997. They released two more albums with Up: Featuring "Birds" in 1998 and Field Studies in 1999; both albums were recorded at Jackpot Studios in Portland, Oregon.
In 1998 and 1999 they toured the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Japan opening for and serving as the backup band for Elliott Smith (who Coomes had played with in Heatmiser) as well as touring on their own in the U.S. and Europe. In 2001 They home-recorded The Sword of God and released it on Touch & Go. Quasi had been somewhat political since its inception, but their opposition to the 2003 Invasion of Iraq showed through in a straight-forward way with the release of Hot Shit! in 2003, particularly in the songs "White Devil's Dream" and "Master and Dog." When the Going Gets Dark followed in 2006, released on Touch & Go in the U.S. and Domino Records in Europe, as with Hot Shit!.
In Spring 2009, the band announced that they had signed to the Kill Rock Stars label, and were due to release their already recorded next album in the latter half of the year. That album, entitled American Gong, was released February 23, 2010 to generally favorable reviews. It was their first and only album to feature third member Joanna Bolme. Following a tour of Japan, Europe, and the United States in support of the full length, Bolme left the band. A duo again, Sam and Janet are recording material for a new album.
Beyond the Sky
Quasi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just sweet nothing beyond the sky
Nothing to lose, nothing to fear
You climb the mountain; it disappears
There ain't no here, there ain't no there
Just sweet nowhere everywhere
It's like taking off your clothes
The lyrics of Quasi's song Beyond the Sky seem to be discussing the concept of the unknown and the idea of letting go. The phrase "there ain't no hand, there ain't no eye, just sweet nothing beyond the sky" suggests a lack of control and understanding in the world beyond our own. This lack of control is exemplified further in the line "you climb the mountain, it disappears," indicating that our efforts to understand this unknown world are futile.
The second half of the song speaks to the idea of letting go and fully embracing the unknown. The phrase "there ain't no here, there ain't no there, just sweet nowhere everywhere" is suggesting that we should let go of our attachment to the physical world and embrace the spiritual, unknown world beyond it. The last line, "it's like taking off your clothes, they fly away like hungry crows," could symbolize the stripping away of one's physical self, leaving behind only the spiritual.
Overall, the song seems to be conveying the message that the unknown can be scary and overwhelming, but it is ultimately worth embracing and exploring.
Line by Line Meaning
There ain't no hand, there ain't no eye
There are no physical presence or limitations beyond the sky.
Just sweet nothing beyond the sky
Above the sky is emptiness, which can be beautiful and enjoyable.
Nothing to lose, nothing to fear
There is no risk or danger beyond the sky.
You climb the mountain; it disappears
Overcoming obstacles and challenges becomes easier or irrelevant beyond the sky.
There ain't no here, there ain't no there
Location is irrelevant beyond the sky.
Just sweet nowhere everywhere
There is nowhere to be, yet everywhere is accessible.
It's like taking off your clothes
Traveling beyond the sky is like shedding one's perceived identity and limitations.
They fly away like hungry crows
All limitations and barriers are left behind in a flurry of freedom.
Contributed by Julian H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.