The band’s conception was first shaped in 2001 from an appreciation of their local music scene, and inspiration from bands such as No Knife, Three Mile Pilot, and Inch. Guitarist and vocalist Jaime Solis explains, “The band came together from the remnants of several other defunct local bands. Except for Mike, who grew up outside Philadelphia, San Diego was a total music playground for us.” However, although they’ve obtained success, their earlier years weren’t cut short of painless experiences, and failed endeavors. One illustration of this is the number of line up changes the band has been through, which ironically foreshadowing their name, has kept them in transit.
The original lineup united around current lead singer, guitarist Jim Hughes and bassist Mike Frey, with the addition of guitarist Anthony Levas and drummer Bernie Tiano. When they began recording their first full-length album, Ah Discordia!, with Harbor Records, Levas and Tiano were replaced with present guitarist Jaime Solis and drummer Brad Bohensky. This change has proved to be a success for The Transit War, as Solis clarifies, “It was just like finding that perfect ingredient you never knew was missing. Where the band might have had a couple of drivers and a couple passengers before, we’ve ended up with a connection between four people who really belong behind the wheel.”
The band underwent another change when they switched labels for their most current release, Miss Your Face, from Harbor Records to the comfortable and productive Orange Peel. “Harbor wasn’t really much more than a kiss and a good luck handshake for us. Orange Peal is a place where we can grow and function as a band,” Solis says, as the band has always kept in good spirits about any hardships or changes. “We’ve always said The Transit War motto was, whatever can go wrong will go wrong. We love what we get to do in this life and know we’re lucky to be doing it at all, so all the blood, sweat and tears are given very willingly.”
Miss Your Face was inspired by many elements including alcohol, storytelling, regret, tour, families, shortcomings, and the music from which the band members derive their influence. Recording this record was the first time they were able to be attentive in creating the music, as most was written on the road together as a band. When they were recording Ah Discordia! it was more of an impulsive time, as Brad and Jaime were unsullied to the band. For Miss Your Face they were able to center more on songwriting, different instrumentation, and creating significant melodies and harmonies.
The experience of recording Miss Your Face and being on tour has solidified The Transit War’s current line up, brought its members close together, and has also formed an appreciation for the bigger picture. “I’d say we’ve grown into a family - a family with a ton of branches. We’ve spent so much time on the road together living in our box that it was inevitable really,” Solis remarks. “But it’s the kind of environment we thrive in, to the point where family means our families at home, all of our fans and friends, even the people we work with business-wise. Everyone’s related at this point.”
The Transit War’s valiant efforts, upright attitude, and dedication to their music have earned them many accolades and industry nods which have been beneficial to exposing the band to new fans. One of their more notable honors was winning MTVu’s The Freshman contest for their video “Kerosene.” They’ve also been nominated in the Best Rock category for the San Diego Music Awards, and have been Spin.com’s Artist of the Day.
The band is currently out on the road with Self Against City, doing a stretch of dates throughout the West Coast. Select dates also feature Quietdrive and The Fold. For The Transit War, bringing their songs from the studio to the stage is what they live for. “We enjoy dynamics in music and try to build a set the same way. If you’re coming to a show you can expect a lot of energy, not so much shtick, and some quality harassment from the four of us to check out the new lamp at our merch table.”
This is a band with a positive reception to what’s been thrown at them, the state of flux and transit they’ve endured, and a general respect for the situation they are in.
An additional great quick story is from Rollin Stone online:
http://www.spin.com/articles/transit-war-avoid-tornado-write-track
Nitetime Enemy
The Transit War Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the concrete
Under a blanket of stars
Moving downstream
And I remember the lakeside
And the stories
Watching the moon play on the hills
And I remember the bad days
And the half rooms
Praying the songs came out in time
And in tune
And all the towns, and all the tales
Of all the ones who tried, and failed
I think it's safe to say we are alone
Nighttime enemy, we can make it up this time
We can be alright
We can be alright
Nighttime enemy, we can make it up this time
We can be alright
We can be alright
And I remember the cold
And the late nights
Bringing a chill to all our bones
And insides
And I remember the daylight
Soaking in the heat
Hearing the hum inside my head
Like a machine
And all the crooks, and all the clowns
That laugh, and dance, and cut you down
I think it's safe to say we are alone
Nighttime enemy, we can make it up this time
We can be alright
We can be alright
Nighttime enemy, we can make it up this time
We can be alright
We can be alright
(And all the miles that fall away
Focus in on what remains)
Nighttime enemy, we can make it up this time
We can be alright
We can be alright
Nighttime enemy, we can make it up this time
We can be alright
We can be alright
Alright
Alright
The Transit War's "Nitetime Enemy" is a song that depicts memories of travel and the experiences that come with it. The beginning of the song paints a picture of a peaceful drive at night, where the singer describes the road and the stars shining in the sky. Following this, the singer recounts sitting lakeside, witnessing the moon's reflection on the hills, and enjoying their meals ready to eat (M.R.E.'s), a staple for those in the military or on long road trips. The next verse describes a more difficult time, where the singer recalls enduring hard times in half-rooms and praying for their songs to come out right. The song then delves into the feeling of being alone, with the singer stating that it's safe to say they are alone based on the countless towns and stories of others who have tried and failed.
The chorus, "Nighttime enemy, we can make it up this time. We can be alright," seems like a message of self-encouragement. The singer is telling themselves that although they may feel alone and in a tough situation (their "nighttime enemy"), they can push through and "make it up this time" and be alright.
Overall, "Nitetime Enemy" captures the essence of travel, both the good and the bad. The song is a reminder that despite the difficulties and loneliness that may come with travel or tough situations, there is promise for improvement and pushing through.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember the road
Recollections of driving on the road.
And the concrete
The hard surface beneath the vehicle's wheels.
Under a blanket of stars
Driving under a sky adorned in starlight.
Moving downstream
Driving past and leaving places and memories behind.
And I remember the lakeside
Memories of being by the shore of a lake.
And the stories
Recollections of various narratives.
Watching the moon play on the hills
Observing the reflection of the moon's light upon the surrounding hills.
M.R.E.'s
Memory of eating military rations.
And I remember the bad days
Memories of difficult periods.
And the half rooms
Recollections of less than satisfactory accommodations.
Praying the songs came out in time
Hoping that the music they were making would turn out properly and on-schedule.
And in tune
The music hoping to be in proper harmony.
And all the towns, and all the tales
Remembering all the places and experiences from past events.
Of all the ones who tried, and failed
Reflecting on the failures of people who have attempted similar things in the past.
I think it's safe to say we are alone
Feeling disconnected from others and isolated.
Nighttime enemy, we can make it up this time
Feeling like nighttime is often the enemy, but being determined to make it through this time.
We can be alright
Believing that they can overcome and be okay despite the hardships.
And I remember the cold
Memories of feeling chilly.
And the late nights
Remembering staying up particularly late.
Bringing a chill to all our bones
Feeling exceptionally cold and chilled.
And insides
The chill being felt particularly deeply.
And I remember the daylight
Recollections of the daytime.
Soaking in the heat
Feeling the warmth of the sun's rays.
Hearing the hum inside my head
Perceiving a vibe or rhythm inside one's own thoughts.
Like a machine
Compared their inner rhythm with the constant beat of a machine.
And all the crooks, and all the clowns
Recalling all the corrupt and ridiculous people from their past.
That laugh, and dance, and cut you down
The bad people who could not be trusted and who caused harm.
And all the miles that fall away
Thinking about the distances they have travelled and left behind.
Focus in on what remains
Thinking more clearly about the present and what needs to be done to move forward.
Alright
The feeling of being okay or positive despite everything.
Contributed by Oliver C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.