Transit was an American rock band from Stoneham, Massachusetts. From their formation in 2006 to their split in 2016, they released five albums, four EPs, and a split EP with Man Overboard. Although they largely took influence from emo acts such as Saves the Day, Death Cab for Cutie, American Football, Fairweather, Lifetime, and Hot Water Music their sound transformed from a fusion of pop punk and contemporary emo from their early releases into an indie rock sound by their final release, Joyride.

Transit
OriginStoneham, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres
Years active2006–2016
Labels
Past members
  • Ella Amber Meadows
  • Torre Cioffi
  • P.J. Jefferson
  • Daniel Frazier
  • Joseph Lacy
  • Tim Landers

Biography

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In January 2007, Transit made a demo, two songs of which appeared on their Myspace profile.[1] A few months later, "Shift On" and "Waterways in NE" were posted online prior to the release of Let It Out.[2] "Rule of Nines" was posted online in December 2007, followed by "For the World" in January 2008.[3][4] In July 2008, it was announced that the band would release a new EP, titled Stay Home, later in the year.[5] On October 16, it was announced that the band had signed to independent label Run for Cover Records.[6] Three days later, "Stay Home" was posted on the group's Myspace profile.[7] At the end of the month, a music video was released for "Stay Home".[8] In November, Run for Cover Records released a sampler which included "Nameless", a track from Stay Home, which was scheduled for release in January 2009.[9] "Stay the Same" was posted on the band's Myspace on March 30, 2009; Stay Home was eventually released on April 14.[10] In June and July 2009, they went on an East Coast tour, leading into an East Coast and Midwestern tour with Balance and Composure and Man Overboard.[11][12] In December 2009 and January 2010, they went on a US tour with Make Do and Mend.[13] Between May and July 2010, they went on a US tour with A Loss for Words, Kid Liberty, Fallen from the Sky, This Time Next Year and Such Gold.[14] From mid-August to early October 2010, the band supported the Swellers on their tour of the US.[15]

In 2011, Listen & Forgive reached No. 9 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and No. 40 on the Independent Albums chart. After performing on the Ernie Ball Stage during Warped Tour 2012, they released Young New England, which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and No. 40 on the Independent Albums chart.[16] Their follow-up record, Joyride, was released on October 21, 2014. On February 29, 2016, the band announced their breakup via Twitter. From April 19 to April 26, the band played a final "goodbye" tour, with their final show at The Sinclair in Boston, MA.

Former member Tim Landers died on February 2, 2019.[17] In June 2023, lead singer Ella Amber Meadows (formerly known as Joe Boynton) came out as a trans woman via Instagram.[18]

Members

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Final lineup

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  • Ella Amber Meadows – lead vocals (2006–2016)
  • Torre Cioffi – guitar, vocals (2011–2016)
  • P.J. Jefferson – bass, vocals (2006–2016)
  • Daniel Frazier – drums (2006–2016)

Former

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  • Joseph Lacy – guitar, vocals (2006–2011)
  • Tim Landers – guitar, vocals (2006–2014, died 2019)

Touring members

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  • Kevin Tse – guitar (2009)
  • Brandon Wark – guitar (2014–2016)

Discography

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Albums

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  • Let It Out (Barrett, 2007)
  • Stay Home - EP (Run For Cover, 14 April 2009 (CD & Digital); Barrett, 22 May 2010 (12" vinyl))
  • Something Left Behind (Mightier Than the Sword , 22 February 2011)
  • Futures & Sutures (Rise, 2 December 2013)

Splits

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  • Promise Nothing - 7" (Rise, April 25, 2011)
  • For Future Reference - 7" (Rise, October 4, 2011)
  • Skipping Stone - 7" (Rise, July 2012)
  • Joyride Acoustic - 7" (Rise, October, 2014)

Singles

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  • "Nothing Lasts Forever" (Rise, 11 February 2013)

Music videos

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  • "Rule of Nines" (2008)
  • "Stay Home" (2009)
  • "Long Lost Friends" (2011)
  • "Cutting Corners" (2011)
  • "Asleep at the Wheel" (2012)
  • "I Think I Know You" (2012)
  • "Skipping Stone" (alternate version) (2012)
  • "Nothing Lasts Forever" (2013)
  • "Weathered Souls" (2013)
  • "Young New England" (2013)
  • "So Long, So Long" (Futures & Sutures sessions) (2014)
  • "Rest to Get Better" (2014)
  • "The Only One" (2015)

References

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  1. ^ Paul, Aubin (January 25, 2007). "Bradley McMillan, Arsenal, Transit". Punknews.org. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  2. ^ August, Justin (April 9, 2007). "The Holy Mess, Thieves and Villains, Transit". Punknews.org. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  3. ^ Moran, Chris (December 17, 2007). "The Short Fused, The Guts, Alligators, Transit". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  4. ^ August, Justin (January 4, 2008). "Transit, Dirty Tactics, Cat Party". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  5. ^ "Transit announces new EP". Alternative Press. July 4, 2008. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  6. ^ "Run For Cover signs Title Fight and Transit". Alternative Press. October 16, 2008. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  7. ^ "Transit's "Stay Home" posted". Alternative Press. October 19, 2008. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  8. ^ Paul, Aubin (October 31, 2008). "Transit: 'Stay Home'". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  9. ^ "Run For Cover posts free winter sampler: new Nightmare Of You, This Is Hell, Fireworks songs". Alternative Press. November 5, 2008. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  10. ^ "Transit post "Stays The Same"". Alternative Press. March 30, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  11. ^ Paul, Aubin (June 30, 2009). "Transit". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  12. ^ Raub, Jesse (June 13, 2009). "Transit / Balance & Composure / Man Overboard". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  13. ^ Paul, Aubin (November 25, 2009). "Transit / Make Do and Mend". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  14. ^ Yancey, Bryne (April 7, 2010). "Transit / A Loss For Words". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  15. ^ Shotwell, James (June 29, 2010). "The Swellers confirm tour with Fireworks and reveal dates". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  16. ^ a b Charts. Allmusic
  17. ^ "Cold Collective, Transit guitarist/vocalist Tim Landers dies". Alternative Press. 3 February 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  18. ^ Ella Amber Meadows [@ellameadows138] (2023-06-04). "Hello everyone, I am a transgender woman. I am the happiest I have ever been, and I feel very grounded about these changes. My friends and family are all supportive of me..." Retrieved 2024-04-29 – via Instagram.