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
Operator
The Transit War Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you can hear me, I know you can heal me
Hey operator, he speaks in a serious tone
I know you can hear me, I know you can heal me
We control the night
We control the afterlife, baby
The afterlife, the afterlife
Let's just assume that we can resuscitate this life
I want you to know that part of us dies
And most of you will die
Two rescue breaths and a shot that will penetrate your heart
Should get you to come back to us, right
Oh, won't you come back now
Won't you come back now
We control the night
We control the afterlife, baby
The afterlife, the afterlife
We control the night
We control the afterlife, baby
(We control the night
We control the afterlife, baby)
We control the night
We control the afterlife, baby
The afterlife, the afterlife
We control the night
We control the afterlife, baby
(The afterlife, the afterlife)
We control the night
We control the afterlife, baby
(The afterlife, the afterlife)
We control the night
We control the afterlife, baby
(The afterlife) the afterlife
The song "Operator" by The Transit War is a complex and thought-provoking composition. The lyrics depict a conversation between the singer and an operator, who is presumably a 911 operator or someone who can offer assistance in an emergency situation. The singer pleads with the operator to help him and heal him, suggesting that he is in a life or death situation. He speaks in a serious tone, emphasizing the urgency of his situation.
The chorus repeats the line "We control the night, we control the afterlife, baby." This line is ambiguous and can be interpreted in many ways. It could refer to the singer's sense of control over his life and death or the power he believes he has over the afterlife. It could also suggest a sense of powerlessness, as if he is at the mercy of the operator and his fate. The following lines, "Let's just assume that we can resuscitate this life, I want you to know that part of us dies, and most of you will die," suggest a more fatalistic interpretation. The singer seems resigned to the fact that he is going to die, but he wants to make sure that he is heard and remembered.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey operator, he speaks in a serious tone
The singer is addressing the operator with a sense of urgency and gravity.
I know you can hear me, I know you can heal me
The singer believes that the operator has the power to help them in some way and is pleading for their assistance.
We control the night
The singer asserts their dominance over the night and everything that happens during that time period.
We control the afterlife, baby
The artist believes that they have some sort of control or power over what happens after death.
Let's just assume that we can resuscitate this life
The artist acknowledges that their situation may seem futile, but suggests that they should still try to believe that their life can be saved.
I want you to know that part of us dies
The singer is expressing a sense of loss or resignation that they will not come out of this situation unscathed.
And most of you will die
The singer is suggesting that their situation is not unique and that many people will not survive whatever it is they are facing.
Two rescue breaths and a shot that will penetrate your heart
The artist is describing medical procedures that they hope will save their life.
Should get you to come back to us, right
The artist is questioning whether the medical procedures they are undergoing will be effective in bringing them back to life.
Oh, won't you come back now
The artist is pleading to be brought back to life after undergoing medical procedures.
Contributed by Sarah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@paintballaboi
I watch CK2 almost every night and before every tourney. This song gets me fired up. Brandon Mayo is a killer, I just wish he still played : (
@ionxe6
I have watched this movie 12 TIMES!!! No lie! Great song also Free Topless Party for Tyler humphreys' segment!!!!
@chargermikec
Cant get enough of CK2 and this pimp song!.....
@user-jz6pn8ez5c
“If I die it’s because I’m on fire”. L-L-L- 2:40 love this. Food for the Ears 👂🩸
@jerk36
Awe ck2, love that video. Great song in it's own right.
@shuttleXslims
just great!
@epicassassin7413
BRANDON MAYO'S SONG OMGGGGSSSS
@bostonblizzards
notice the smiley face at the end of the question (its a joke) im getting this for christmas not to mention i have their headbands
@Hoosk
@kurtyy26 lol its so true what you said, however, it relates in so many ways to paintball too. not sure if you play or not, but if you do you'd understand (speedballers especially)
@DanielLuna15
@DanielPakh dude i think u should go on ebay and find an ion for a good deal and u could get one for like 75 bucks or get a wgp mg-7 pro its rlly durable and shoots 20 bps and has a great trigger and is only 75 bucks!