Train (band)
The band Train formed in Chicago in 1997. They are best known for their hit single “Hey, Soul Sister.” Their debut album included songs such as “Calling All Angels,” “Drops Of Jupiter”, and “Drive By”. In 2001, they won Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards. Train began recording their second album in 2002, but it wasn’t until 2005 that the group released their second full-length record titled “A Girl, A Bottle And A Gun.” The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and went platinum within six months. The lead single from the album was “Say Something.” The song reached number seven on the Hot 100. After releasing three albums, Train disbanded in 2007.
In 2008, the members reunited and recorded a cover version of the Beatles’ “I Want To Hold Your Hand.” This became a major success, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100. The band toured extensively throughout 2009 and 2010, including performances at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and Bonnaroo Music Festival. In late 2010, Train announced that they had begun writing material for their third studio album.
History
Train formed in 1994 in Los Angeles, California, United States. Their debut album, self-titled Train, was released on February 21, 1995. The group signed with Atlantic Records, releasing their second studio album, Drops Of Jupiter, in 1996. In 1997, the band released their third album, Hold On Tight, followed by an EP titled A Girl, A Bottle, And A Gun.
The band’s fourth album, 2000’s Save Me, San Francisco included the hit single “Hey, Soul Sister”. The song reached number one on both the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and Mainstream Rock Tracks charts, and won the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance. The album yielded three additional singles: “Calling All Angels”, “Drops of Jupiter” and “Drive By”.
In 2001, the band released their fifth album, Songs From Before. This marked the return of founding member and drummer, Jack Irons, following his departure in 1998. The album produced four singles: “Save Me, San Francisco”, “Calling All Angels”, “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” and “Can’t Cry Anymore”.
After recording demos for their sixth album in 2002, the band broke up due to creative differences. They reunited briefly in 2006 for a performance at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival.
On April 27, 2008, Train announced via their MySpace blog that they would reunite and begin working on material for a seventh album. The band officially reconvened in 2009, with vocalist/guitarist Pat Monahan joining the band again, and began touring worldwide in 2010.
Their eighth album, Hello World, was released on September 14, 2011. The album debuted at #9 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart, selling about 36,000 copies in its first week. The album’s first single, “Play That Song”, peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Train released their ninth studio album, Californication, on October 16, 2013. The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 119,000 copies in its opening week. The album’s first two singles, “Holdin’ On To Nothing” and “You Can Call Me Al”, respectively peaked at #22 and #31 on the Billboard Hot 100.
1998–2000: Train
Train’s eponymous debut album was initially released on Aware Records, a joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment. The label was founded by former Epic president Rob Cavallo and Columbia Records chairman Tommy Mottola. In 1999, Columbia acquired a 51% stake in Aware, giving it full ownership of the imprint. By 2000, Columbia had sold its stake in Aware to Sony.
In 1998, Train signed a record deal with Columbia Records and began recording a self-titled debut album. While working on the project, the group performed songs from the album live in clubs around New York City. After seeing the group perform, Columbia executives asked the band to change the name of the album, which was originally titled “The Big Picture.” The band agreed, and the album was renamed Train.
The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling over 300,000 copies in its first week. Two singles were released from the album; “Calling All Angels,” which reached the Top 20 on the Hot 100, and “Drops of Jupiter”, which peaked at number one on the Adult Contemporary chart.
After releasing three albums under the moniker, the group changed its name to “Train” in 2001. The group disbanded in 2002.
2001–2002: Drops of Jupiter
Train’s sophomore release, Drops of Jupiter, was produced by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne. Released on March 27, 2001 via Mercury Records, the album debuted at number one on the charts and eventually went platinum, selling over 2 million copies worldwide.
The album spawned four singles including “Drops of Jupiter”, “Hey, Soul Sister”, “Calling All Angels” and “Show Me How You Move”. The album reached number six on the Billboard 200, becoming the band’s highest-charting effort. In Canada, the album debuted at #1 on the Canadian Albums Chart, while “Drops of Jupiter” topped the Adult Top 40 chart.
During the Drops of Jupiter tour in support of the album, the band released a Live DVD of a sold- out show at The Warfield in San Francisco. Titled Midnight Moon, the DVD features songs from both Train albums, along with several tracks from their debut album.
2003–2004: My Private Nation
In 2003, Rob Hotchkis left the band citing creative disagreements. He had been contributing to every track on the band’s third studio album,and he felt like his ideas weren’t getting across. He wanted to pursue a solo career, and the rest of the band agreed.
Hotchkiss started pursuing a successful solo career, releasing his debut album,in 2004. His second album,was released in 2006.
Charlie Colin was forced to leave due to substance abuse problems. He joined the band in 2001, replacing Mike Falzarano, who left in 2002. He was replaced by Steve Mason, but he was fired in 2008.
Pat Monahan began working with the band while still attending college. He joined the group full-time in 2009.
The band’s third album,released in June 2003 with “My Private Nation”, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, selling over 300,000 copies in its first week.
2005–2006: For Me, It’s You
Train recorded their fourth studio album, titled, in 2005–2006. The band had been working on the record since 2003, but it wasn’t until 2005–2006 that they felt like the material was ready to release. In addition to writing songs for the album, the group had begun work on a film project called, which follows a young man named Jimmy who discovers he has superpowers after being hit by lightning. The band hoped to use the movie as a vehicle to promote the album. However, the idea never came to fruition.
The band went into the studio with producer John Shanks, who had worked with them on their previous albums. They recorded the album at Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood, California. The sessions took place over a period of three months. Afterward, the band spent another month mixing the album.
The album was given a limited release, with a total run of 50,000 copies. The band promoted the album with a tour during the summer of 2006.
In 2007, lead singer Pat Monahan told MTV News that the album was “a lot darker” than their previous records. He added that he believed the album was the best one the band had ever done.
The album debuted at number six on Billboard 200 chart, selling about 41,000 copies in its first week. It eventually peaked at number four on the charts, selling about 83,000 copies in the United States.
On January 24, 2008, Train announced that they would begin recording their fifth studio album, titled, later in the year. On April 23, 2009, the band stated that the album was finished, and would be released sometime in 2010. A few days later, the band revealed that the album would be titled, and would be released on August 25, 2010.
2006–2008: Hiatus
The band announced on December 31, 2006, that it had taken a break from recording and touring due to personal reasons. They resumed recording and touring in 2008.
In January 2009, guitarist John O’Connell left the band to pursue his own musical career. He was replaced by former InMe member Joe Trohman.
On February 19, 2010, the band posted a video on YouTube announcing that they were taking a “hiatus”, explaining that they wanted to spend some quality time with friends and loved ones.
2009–2011: Save Me, San Francisco
Train’s debut album, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, was released in September 2008. In January 2010, the band announced that they had signed a deal with Island Records and began work on their sophomore effort. They planned to release a follow up album in late 2012. However, the band took five years to complete their second studio album, because of numerous setbacks and personal issues.
In early 2011, Train began working on their third studio album. The band recruited producer John Fields to help them write and produce songs for the album. They recorded several demos in Los Angeles in April 2011, including “Save Me, San Francisco”, which became the lead single from the album. The song debuted on May 12, 2011, during an appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
On July 7, 2011, Train performed “Save Me, San Fran” live on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. In October 2011, the band revealed that they had begun recording material for their next album. The following month, it was reported that the album was being pushed back to summer 2012 due to production delays.
The band’s management confirmed that the album would be released in 2013, and that the band would tour North America throughout the fall of 2012. On November 14, 2011, Train announced that they had completed mixing the album, and that it would be titled Get Home Safely. The album was released on February 26, 2013.
During an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, frontman Pat Monahan stated that he wrote the lyrics for “Save Me, San Franciscowhen his wife died unexpectedly in 2007. He told the publication that he wanted to make sure that the song reflected what he felt about her death. When asked whether he was still grieving over the loss of his wife, he responded that he was “still processing it”.
After the album’s release, Train toured extensively across North America in support of the album. During one show in New York City, bassist/vocalist Shawn Smith suffered a heart attack onstage and collapsed. After receiving medical attention backstage, Smith returned to the stage and finished the show.
Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump joined Train on stage during their performance of “Save Me, San Fransisco” at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, held on February 10, 2013.