Hit the Lights (band)
Encyclopedia
Hit the Lights is a pop punk
/power pop
band from Lima
, Ohio
, signed to Razor & Tie Records.
according to their Warped Tour interview, not the previously believed Metallica
song on the album Kill 'Em All
. Band members Colin Ross and Omar Zehery performed first as Headliner, then The Goodbye Session with then-drummer Reymundo Ortiz Jr. Nick Thompson was in a group called The Summer Departure. Nate Van Dame had worked for Hawthorne Heights
as a drum tech. They quickly found a devoted following with their energetic live performances.
and the 2005 and 2006 Vans Warped Tours. They were named SPIN
Band of the Day on April 11, 2006. They also toured with Paramore
, Cute Is What We Aim For, and This Providence
in the summer of 2006. After the Paramore tour, they started on tour with New Found Glory
, Cartel
, and The Early November
. They toured in the UK
during December 2006. The band ventured on its first headlining tour in March and April 2007, with supporting acts Valencia
, All Time Low
, Just Surrender
, Forgive Durden
, and Love Arcade
. In late 2008, they supported major acts Motion City Soundtrack
and Chiodos
, then went to the UK, co-headlining with Bayside. After the headlining tour, the band took the summer off to write and record for their second album (Skip School, Start Fights), which was recorded with Rob Freeman
at the Pilot Studios in Boonton
, New Jersey
. Hit the Lights was one of five featured bands in the 2009 Alternative Press Tour.
in October 2007, but had to cancel due to not being able to find a permanent lead vocalist after Colin Ross left in June 2007. Ross stated that he could no longer be a part of the band because his heart just was not in it. The other members said they noticed that Ross did not seem to be as into performing and being part of the band the better part of the last year.
They played their last show with Colin on September 15, 2007, at The Axis in Lima, Ohio.
After that show, the remaining four members went into recording and recorded a cover, "The Warrior", with Nick Thompson on lead vocals.
They posted a new demo entitled "Stay Out", on January 31, 2008. Notably, their first single without former lead vocalist Colin Ross. On February 19, 2008, they announced that guitarist/backing vocalist Nick Thompson was taking over the lead vocalist role for the band.
. The band shot a music video for the song "Stay Out" in the San Francisco Bay Area
on May 27, 2008.
The same day, they added the new song, "Drop The Girl", to their MySpace
profile. The band shot a new music video for single "Drop The Girl" on October 6, 2008 in Van Nuys, California
. The video includes Glee
star Heather Morris in a small role. By coincidence, "Glee" is set in Lima, Ohio.
They supported Cobra Starship
on the SassyBack Tour in 2008, along with Forever the Sickest Kids
and Sing It Loud
.
The band recently completed a tour of the United Kingdom
with Oh No Not Stereo
, supporting Bayside
.
On Friday December 5, 2008 after a week of clues, Hit the Lights was the second confirmed band on the 2009 AP Tour.
Hit the Lights played on the entire Warped Tour 2009
. At Cincinnati's Warped Tour, former vocalist Colin Ross joined Hit the Lights on stage for one of their older songs "Bodybag".
Hit The Lights embarked on the "Manatour" in late 2009 along with There For Tomorrow, Fireworks, Sparks The Rescue, This Time Next Year, Vinnie Caruana, and Oh No Not Stereo.
Hit The Lights will tour Australia nationally during April 2010 in support of New Found Glory
. Joining New Found Glory
and Hit The Lights were pop-punk band Fireworks
.
Hit The Lights toured with HelloGoodBye. Their last show was performed at Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA. The event was held on May 7, 2010.
The band's new record is slated for late 2010 or early 2011. Updates show they have been writing and demoing with Kenny Vasoli of The Starting Line
, Justin Richards of Brighten; A Rocket to the Moon, Ryan Key of Yellowcard
, Jeff Schneeweis of Number One Gun
, and Steve Klein and Cyrus Bolooki of New Found Glory
. They plan to enter the studio in July 2010 with Mike Green (Set Your Goals
, The Matches
, Over It
).'
, Tim Pagnotta from Sugarcult
, and Kenny Vasoli from The Starting Line
, and possibly others.
On September 13, 2011, Hit the Lights announced the band signed to Razor & Tie Records.
On September 19 2011, the band announced a tour with The Dangerous Summer, Divided By Friday, and The Story So Far.
On October 21 2011, Hit The Lights announced that they would be releasing a new 3 track EP, Invicta on November 1 2011.
Pop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
/power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
band from Lima
Lima, Ohio
Lima is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northwestern Ohio along Interstate 75 approximately north of Dayton and south-southwest of Toledo....
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, signed to Razor & Tie Records.
Early years
Hit the Lights formed in 2003, taking their name from an 80's skate flick called Gleaming the CubeGleaming the Cube
Gleaming the Cube is an American movie released in 1989. It featured Christian Slater as Brian Kelly, a 16-year-old skateboarder investigating the death of his adopted Vietnamese brother.The Skating Technical Advisor for the film was original Z-Boy, Stacy Peralta...
according to their Warped Tour interview, not the previously believed Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
song on the album Kill 'Em All
Kill 'Em All
Kill 'Em All is the debut studio album by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released on July 25, 1983. Since its release, it has been certified 3x platinum by the RIAA, having sold over 3 million copies in the United States alone.-Music:...
. Band members Colin Ross and Omar Zehery performed first as Headliner, then The Goodbye Session with then-drummer Reymundo Ortiz Jr. Nick Thompson was in a group called The Summer Departure. Nate Van Dame had worked for Hawthorne Heights
Hawthorne Heights
Hawthorne Heights is an American rock band from Dayton, Ohio, formed in 2001. Their line-up currently consists of lead-singer and rhythm guitarist JT Woodruff, lead-guitarist and vocalist Micah Carli, bassist and backing vocalist Matt Ridenour, and drummer Eron Bucciarelli...
as a drum tech. They quickly found a devoted following with their energetic live performances.
Commercial success
They have taken part in numerous national tours, including the spring 2006 Sub City Take Action tour with Matchbook RomanceMatchbook Romance
Matchbook Romance was an American rock band from Poughkeepsie, New York and was formed in 1997.were signed to Epitaph Records. They released two full length albums and one EP...
and the 2005 and 2006 Vans Warped Tours. They were named SPIN
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
Band of the Day on April 11, 2006. They also toured with Paramore
Paramore
Paramore is an American rock band from Franklin, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band consists of lead vocalist Hayley Williams, bassist Jeremy Davis, and guitarist Taylor York...
, Cute Is What We Aim For, and This Providence
This Providence
This Providence is a four-piece Alternative Rock band from Seattle, Washington. The band consists of Dan Young , David Blaise , Gavin Phillips , and Andy Horst .-Formation and early history:...
in the summer of 2006. After the Paramore tour, they started on tour with New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
, Cartel
Cartel (band)
Cartel is a American pop rock band from Conyers, Georgia that formed in 2003. The band is best known for their single "Honestly", featured on their 2005 debut album Chroma, and for their 2007 appearance on MTV's Band in a Bubble....
, and The Early November
The Early November
The Early November is an American rock band from Hammonton, New Jersey. The group formed in 1999 and signed with Drive-Thru Records in 2002. , they have released two EPs , as well as two full-length albums...
. They toured in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
during December 2006. The band ventured on its first headlining tour in March and April 2007, with supporting acts Valencia
Valencia (band)
Valencia is an alternative rock/punk band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are currently on hiatus.-History:Valencia met by playing local shows together around the tri-state area in separate bands. George Ciukurescu and JD Perry grew up together; attending elementary school, high school, and...
, All Time Low
All Time Low
All Time Low is an American pop punk band from Baltimore, Maryland, formed in 2003.The band consists of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Alexander Gaskarth, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Jack Barakat, bassist and backing vocalist Zachary Merrick, and drummer Rian Dawson...
, Just Surrender
Just Surrender
Just Surrender was a rock band from Dover Plains, New York, formerly known as A Second Chance. Just Surrender was formed by three high school friends Jason Maffucci, Andrew Meunier, and Steve Miller. Vocalist/guitarist Dan Simons, formerly of "The Record Collection," joined the original three...
, Forgive Durden
Forgive Durden
Forgive Durden is an indie rock band from Seattle, Washington, who got their name from the novel Fight Club. They are signed to Fueled By Ramen...
, and Love Arcade
Love Arcade
Love Arcade was an American alternative/powerpop band founded by Christian Berishaj. Their debut album, Love Arcade was released in 2006.-History:...
. In late 2008, they supported major acts Motion City Soundtrack
Motion City Soundtrack
Motion City Soundtrack is an American rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota, formed in 1997. The band consists of founding members Justin Pierre and Joshua Cain , along with keyboardist and moog synthesist Jesse Johnson, bassist and backing vocalist Matthew Taylor, and drummer, percussionist and...
and Chiodos
Chiodos
Chiodos is an American post hardcore band from Davison, Michigan. Formed in 2001, the group was originally known as "The Chiodos Bros," the band's name was a tribute to filmmakers Stephen, Charles, and Edward Chiodo, responsible for the film Killer Klowns from Outer Space. Chiodos released their...
, then went to the UK, co-headlining with Bayside. After the headlining tour, the band took the summer off to write and record for their second album (Skip School, Start Fights), which was recorded with Rob Freeman
Rob Freeman
Robert Andrew Freeman is the former guitarist, backing vocalist and primary songwriter for the pop punk/post-hardcore group Hidden in Plain View...
at the Pilot Studios in Boonton
Boonton, New Jersey
Boonton is a town in Morris County, New Jersey that was chartered in 1867. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 8,347. The town was originally called "Boone-Towne" in 1761 in honor of the Colonial Governor Thomas Boone....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. Hit the Lights was one of five featured bands in the 2009 Alternative Press Tour.
2007-2008
They were slated to embark on a headlining tour in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in October 2007, but had to cancel due to not being able to find a permanent lead vocalist after Colin Ross left in June 2007. Ross stated that he could no longer be a part of the band because his heart just was not in it. The other members said they noticed that Ross did not seem to be as into performing and being part of the band the better part of the last year.
They played their last show with Colin on September 15, 2007, at The Axis in Lima, Ohio.
After that show, the remaining four members went into recording and recorded a cover, "The Warrior", with Nick Thompson on lead vocals.
They posted a new demo entitled "Stay Out", on January 31, 2008. Notably, their first single without former lead vocalist Colin Ross. On February 19, 2008, they announced that guitarist/backing vocalist Nick Thompson was taking over the lead vocalist role for the band.
Skip School Start Fights
Hit The Lights latest record was released on July 8, 2008, titled Skip School, Start FightsSkip School, Start Fights
Skip School, Start Fights is the second full-length studio album from the American pop punk band Hit the Lights, released on July 8, 2008. It was mixed by Zach Odom and Kenneth Mount . This is the first release with their new vocalist, Nick Thompson, who previously played guitar and provide backing...
. The band shot a music video for the song "Stay Out" in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
on May 27, 2008.
The same day, they added the new song, "Drop The Girl", to their MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
profile. The band shot a new music video for single "Drop The Girl" on October 6, 2008 in Van Nuys, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The video includes Glee
Glee (TV series)
Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and on GlobalTV in Canada. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues...
star Heather Morris in a small role. By coincidence, "Glee" is set in Lima, Ohio.
They supported Cobra Starship
Cobra Starship
Cobra Starship is an American synthpop band created by former Midtown bassist and lead vocalist Gabe Saporta in 2003 in New York City, New York...
on the SassyBack Tour in 2008, along with Forever the Sickest Kids
Forever the Sickest Kids
Forever the Sickest Kids is an American pop punk band from Dallas, Texas, who have yet to be signed to a new label after the closure of Universal Motown Records. In issue 228 of Alternative Press, the group was named the number one underground band in the "22 Best Underground Bands". Their first...
and Sing It Loud
Sing it Loud
-History:Sing it Loud grew out of a friendship between cousins vocalist Pat Brown and guitarist Kieren Smith, who founded the group together and added members whom they met locally in the Minneapolis music scene. Brown officially brought the group together after his previous band called it quits....
.
The band recently completed a tour of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
with Oh No Not Stereo
Oh No Not Stereo
-Formation/001:Oh No Not Stereo was formed by Skyler Nielsen and Mykul Lee in Hollywood, California in June 2003. The two met at a music store in Hollywood within months of moving to LA. Immediately they collaborated musically and began writing together, developing their concept of a live-duo that...
, supporting Bayside
Bayside (band)
Bayside is an American punk rock band from Queens which formed in the winter of 2000. The band has released five full length albums since signing to Victory Records...
.
On Friday December 5, 2008 after a week of clues, Hit the Lights was the second confirmed band on the 2009 AP Tour.
Hit the Lights played on the entire Warped Tour 2009
Warped Tour 2009
Warped Tour 2009 was the 15th installment of the annual Summer Warped Tour festival. Vans Shoes was again the tour's primary sponsor. Tour founder/organizer Kevin Lyman announced that this year's tour would feature only one main stage with bands playing 40 minutes each instead of two main stages...
. At Cincinnati's Warped Tour, former vocalist Colin Ross joined Hit the Lights on stage for one of their older songs "Bodybag".
Hit The Lights embarked on the "Manatour" in late 2009 along with There For Tomorrow, Fireworks, Sparks The Rescue, This Time Next Year, Vinnie Caruana, and Oh No Not Stereo.
Hit The Lights will tour Australia nationally during April 2010 in support of New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
. Joining New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
and Hit The Lights were pop-punk band Fireworks
Fireworks (punk band)
Fireworks is an American pop-punk band from Metro Detroit, Michigan. currently signed to Triple Crown Records. Their most recent album, Gospel, was released on May 24, 2011.-History:...
.
Hit The Lights toured with HelloGoodBye. Their last show was performed at Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA. The event was held on May 7, 2010.
Coast to Coast and onwards
In late 2009 Hit The Lights released an EP titled "Coast to Coast". Nick said "We just wanted to keep the fans happy for now, we are working on a new album and will be released in 2010". The Album "Coast to Coast" had hit songs such as "Pulse", "Coast to Coast", and a remix on old classics such as "Tell Me Where You Are".The band's new record is slated for late 2010 or early 2011. Updates show they have been writing and demoing with Kenny Vasoli of The Starting Line
The Starting Line
The Starting Line is an American pop punk band based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that formed in 1999.- Formation and history :In 1999, the band that would become The Starting Line was initiated in Churchville, Pennsylvania via an e-mail from guitarist Matt Watts to vocalist/bassist Kenny Vasoli...
, Justin Richards of Brighten; A Rocket to the Moon, Ryan Key of Yellowcard
Yellowcard
Yellowcard is an American pop punk/alternative rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997, and based in Los Angeles, California since 2000. Their music features the use of a violin, unusual for the genre...
, Jeff Schneeweis of Number One Gun
Number One Gun
Number One Gun is a Christian rock band from Chico, California, that was most recently signed to Tooth & Nail Records. They self-released their debut EP Forever in 2002, before releasing their follow-up albums Celebrate Mistakes on Floodgate Records and Promises for the Imperfect on Tooth & Nail...
, and Steve Klein and Cyrus Bolooki of New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
. They plan to enter the studio in July 2010 with Mike Green (Set Your Goals
Set Your Goals (band)
Set Your Goals is an American Pop-Punk band from Walnut Creek, CA , formed in 2004. Their musical style typically employs a combination of pop punk and melodic hardcore...
, The Matches
The Matches
The Matches are a United States-based band formed in 1997 in Oakland, California. It currently is composed of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Shawn Harris, lead guitarist and backup vocalist Jonathan Devoto, bassist and backup vocalist Dylan Rowe, and drummer Matt Whalen...
, Over It
Over It (band)
Over It is a rock band from Orange County, California. Originally from Alexandria, Virginia, the band formed in 1998 to play pop punk, and has since developed a more mainstream rock sound with punk roots. They were most recently signed to Virgin Records, but are currently unsigned.The band,...
).'
Invicta and Upcoming Third Studio Album
It was confirmed that Hit The Lights entered the studio on June 1 to begin recording their new record. Guitarist Omar has said that they have collaborated with Ryan Key from YellowcardYellowcard
Yellowcard is an American pop punk/alternative rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1997, and based in Los Angeles, California since 2000. Their music features the use of a violin, unusual for the genre...
, Tim Pagnotta from Sugarcult
Sugarcult
Sugarcult is an American rock band from Santa Barbara, California formed in 1998. The band currently consists of Tim Pagnotta , Airin Older , Marko DeSantis , and Kenny Livingston .-Formation :Tim Pagnotta met ex-drummer Ben Davis during a cigarette break at school...
, and Kenny Vasoli from The Starting Line
The Starting Line
The Starting Line is an American pop punk band based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that formed in 1999.- Formation and history :In 1999, the band that would become The Starting Line was initiated in Churchville, Pennsylvania via an e-mail from guitarist Matt Watts to vocalist/bassist Kenny Vasoli...
, and possibly others.
On September 13, 2011, Hit the Lights announced the band signed to Razor & Tie Records.
On September 19 2011, the band announced a tour with The Dangerous Summer, Divided By Friday, and The Story So Far.
On October 21 2011, Hit The Lights announced that they would be releasing a new 3 track EP, Invicta on November 1 2011.
Current members
- Nick Thompson – lead vocals (2008–present) guitars, backing vocals (2003–2007)
- Omar Zehery – guitars (2003–present)
- Kevin Mahoney – guitars, backing vocals (2008–present)
- David Bermosk – bass, backing vocals (2003–present)
- Nate Van Damme – drums, percussion (2005–present)
Former members
- Colin Ross – lead vocals (2003–2007)
- Ryan Radebaugh – drums, percussion (2003–2005)
Studio albums
- This Is a Stick Up... Don't Make It a MurderThis Is a Stick Up... Don't Make It a MurderThis Is a Stick Up... Don't Make It a Murder is the first full-length album from Hit the Lights, released on April 11, 2006 on Triple Crown Records. Three of the tracks that were featured on their previous EP Until We Get Caught were redone for this album...
(2006) - Skip School, Start FightsSkip School, Start FightsSkip School, Start Fights is the second full-length studio album from the American pop punk band Hit the Lights, released on July 8, 2008. It was mixed by Zach Odom and Kenneth Mount . This is the first release with their new vocalist, Nick Thompson, who previously played guitar and provide backing...
(2008) U.S. #97 - Invicta (2012)
EPs
- Leaving Town Tonight (2004)
- Until We Get CaughtUntil We Get CaughtUntil We Get Caught is an EP from Lima, Ohio pop punk band Hit the Lights, released on March 15, 2005 on Silent Movie Records and rereleased on November 22, 2005 through Triple Crown Records....
(2005) - Coast to Coast - EP (2009)
- Invicta (2011)
External links
- Hit the Lights' profile at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Hit the Lights' profile at PureVolumePureVolumePureVolume was the first independently run website of its type, allowing for the upload and stream of music files. It was created in 2003 by Jennifer Welch , in conjunction with the Unborn Media team; Brett Woitunski, Nate Hudson, and Mitchell Pavao; all from the University of...
- Hit the Lights' profile at YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....