Lit
Which is better? Release a great debut album then spend the rest of your career trying to match it or consistently improve with each set until you hit the mark? While groups rarely get to choose Orange County’s Lit had it both ways.
Debut album “Tripping The Light Fantastic” was an impressive start but hardly earth shaking. Sophomore effort “A Place In The Sun” honed the group’s sound and brought commercial success.
“Atomic” arriving in ‘01 stood as Lit’s premier effort. Strong songs augmented by textured arrangements and omni-present hooks capped by angst vocals. Too bad it didn’t match the commercial appeal of “A Place In The Sun.”
Back in ‘90, the Popoff brothers, vocalist A. Jay and guitarist Jeremy, got together with bassist Kevin Baldes and drummer Allen Shellenberger. Being the top group in Fullerton, CA, may not seem like much but it was enough to get them a record deal. The Popoff brothers composed all the songs for the group’s debut effort.
‘99 saw the follow-up, “A Place In The Sun,” featuring “My Own Worst Enemy,” “Zip-Lock” and “Miserable,” went platinum. “My Own Worst Enemy” went double platinum. That led to a spot MTV’s Spring Break in Cancun. They had arrived!
A Place In The Sun,
My Worst Enemy
Miserable
“Atomic,” out in ‘01, featured “Something To Someone,” which displayed a Punk/Pop vibe with a searing guitar riff, hard charging drums and mournful yet catchy vocals. The set also held “The Last Time Again” and the thrashing “Lipstick And Bruises.”
Something To Someone
Lipstick And Bruises
The album only reached #36 on the Billboard 200 (respectable, but not good enough) and was the band’s last album for RCA – effectively ending Lit’s mainstream success.
There was more bad news – and much more serious. Shellenberger was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in ’08 and underwent radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Dozens of musicians donated hand-signed memorabilia and other items to a charity auction to benefit the ailing drummer. Artists who contributed collectibles included Nickelback, Linkin Park, Staind, Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Offspring, Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, and Billy Idol, among others.
The self-titled fourth album dropped in ’04. Sadly, it was the band’s final effort with all four original members. Shellenberger passed away in ’09.
Issued on the band’s Nitrus Records imprint and DRT Entertainment, “Lit” peaked at #113 on the Billboard 200 but landed at #6 on the Independent Albums chart.
Eight years passed before “The View From The Bottom” appeared. The album was dedicated to Shellenberger’s memory with the song “Here’s To Us” being a tribute to him. It was the first album with the rhythm guitarist Ryan Gillmor and the only one with Nathan Walker on drums.
There was another lengthy gap between albums. This time though there was only a five year wait for “These Are the Days.” The ’17 release was a musical departure blending their traditional Alt. Rock with Country Rock. It proved to be the last album with Gillmor who departed following the recording sessions.
“Tastes Like Gold,” dropping in ’22, saw the band returning to Alt. Rock full-time.
Lit teamed with the band Bowling for Soup in early ’24 for the “Lovin’ The Sun Tour” in Florida.
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