Transit was an American rock band that formed in Stoneham, Massachusetts in 2006. Over their decade-long career, they released five full-length albums and several EPs that blended elements of emo, alternative rock, pop punk, power pop, indie rock and post-hardcore. The band’s lineup consisted of vocalist Joe Boynton, guitarists Torre Cioffi and Tim Landers, bassist P.J. Jefferson, and drummer Daniel Frazier.
Early Years and Musical Style of Transit
In their early years, Transit took influence from notable emo acts like Saves the Day, Death Cab for Cutie, American Football, and Hot Water Music. Their sound in this period fused pop punk energy with emotive, melodic songwriting. A 2007 demo and early songs posted online, like “Shift On” and “Waterways in NE”, showcased this style.
The Band signed with Run for Cover Records in 2008 and released the Stay Home EP in 2009. A music video for the EP’s title track helped raise their profile. Extensive touring, including stints with bands like Balance and Composure, Man Overboard, and The Swellers, further grew Transit’s fanbase in this period.
Transit’s Albums: From This Will Not Define Us to Joyride
Transit’s debut full-length, This Will Not Define Us, arrived in 2008 on Barrett Records. 2010’s Keep This to Yourself, their first for Run for Cover, represented an evolution in their sound toward a more expansive and ambitious brand of emotional alternative rock.
The band had a commercial breakthrough with 2011’s Listen & Forgive on Rise Records. With a slightly poppier and more accessible sound, the album reached #9 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart and #40 on the Independent Albums tally. Alternative Press praised Listen & Forgive, stating that Transit “have polished their sound without losing sight of the weathered emotion that made them so appealing in the first place.”
2013’s Young New England saw the group maturing further and embracing more of an indie rock vibe. The album matched the chart peaks of its predecessor. For their final album, 2014’s Joyride, the band completed the transition into an indie rock band, largely moving beyond their emo and pop punk roots. Joyride showcased their most diverse and adventurous songwriting.
The End of Transit’s Run
In early 2016, Transit announced they were breaking up after a decade together. They played a short farewell tour in the Northeast US that April, culminating in a final hometown show in Boston. Sadly, guitarist/vocalist Tim Landers passed away in 2019 at age 28.
During their time together, the band released music that evolved from scrappy emo and pop punk to more sophisticated alternative and indie rock. At their best, the band combined relatable, heart-on-sleeve lyrics with soaring melodies, earnest vocals, and driving instrumentation. Transit’s five albums stand as an impressive and influential body of work in the emo and alternative rock spheres.
