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
Radar
The Transit War Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If I can ever see you again.
On the radar we can tell the future but you'll never know
If I can ever see you again.
Our worlds are black and white to you
You see our lives as gray and blue.
But I know nights can change if I say different.
The rain is coming down
So why don't we go?
The sky is screaming out
So why don't we go?
On the radar you can see the pattern that will never show
If I can ever see you again.
On the radar we can live forever but we'll never know
If I can ever see you again.
Everywhere
Everywhere we go is where we know
The Transit War's song "Radar" is a track that speaks earnestly about a longing to be with someone that might not actually come to fruition. The lyrics suggest a sense of frustration as the singer and the target of their affection might not be able to meet again despite the technology available to them. The phrase "on the radar," which is repeated throughout the song, implies that they could detect each other's wavelength, but that knowledge does nothing to make the circumstances easier. The second verse offers some insight into the singer's state of mind, with their perception of the world being vastly different from what their love interest sees. The singer offers a glimmer of hope, recognizing that things can change, but that in reality, they might never see the person again.
The song is delivered in a distinctly upbeat manner that belies the despondency of the lyrics. The chorus repeats this sense of urgency, with the sky and rain themselves seeming to encourage the two parties to come together. However, the ambiguity of the situation prevents a resolution, with the use of the phrase "we'll never know" encapsulating the sense of uncertainty that pervades the entire track. The song's title, "Radar," adds an interesting layer of depth since the metaphor suggests that the two parties might be close to each other but are still beyond any practical reach.
Line by Line Meaning
On the radar we can see the colors but you'll never know
We can use technology to detect things, but it won't reveal whether we can meet again or not.
If I can ever see you again.
The ability to see each other again is uncertain.
On the radar we can tell the future but you'll never know
The future can give us a clue, but we still don't know if we can see each other again or not.
Our worlds are black and white to you
You have a limited understanding of our lives.
You see our lives as gray and blue.
You simplify our lives into only a few colors.
But I know nights can change if I say different.
I can change the way things are if I express myself differently.
But I could never see you again.
Still, it remains uncertain whether we can ever meet again.
The rain is coming down
It's raining.
So why don't we go?
Let's leave and do something.
The sky is screaming out
The sky is making a loud noise (thunder).
So why don't we go?
Let's leave and do something, despite the weather.
On the radar you can see the pattern that will never show
The pattern is visible, but it still doesn't reveal whether we can ever meet again.
On the radar we can live forever but we'll never know
Technology can make us immortal, but we still don't know if we can ever see each other again or not.
If I can ever see you again.
The possibility of meeting again is still uncertain.
Everywhere
In every place.
Everywhere we go is where we know
We only feel comfortable where we have been before.
Contributed by Chase W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.