Just as the nineties dissolved into the 21st century, Lit charged up rock ‘n’ roll with uncompromising punk energy and a power-pop punch. However, the Orange County-born band left an imprint on popular culture that only fissured wider over the years like a California fault line. Who could forget the immortal lyric, “Can we forget about the things I said when I was drunk?”, or the time Pamela Anderson devoured the band whole in the “Miserable” music video.
The group outlasted the next two decades as well. They stood out as the rare act whose presence could be felt loud and clear at Woodstock ’99. Twenty years after its initial release, the Billboard Music Award-winning “My Own Worst Enemy” not only went double-platinum, but Post Malone also covered it on Instagram Live as did Kelly Clarkson and Jimmy Fallon on his late-night show. Further speaking to their enduring influence, they’ve inspired think pieces by everyone from American Songwriter to Kerrang!, while Consequence of Sound named them one of the “100 Best Pop Punk Bands.” Not to mention, their music blared through American Reunion, Central Intelligence, Parks and Recreation, Rock Band, and beyond as they also impressively averaged over 2.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify. The guys have amassed a catalog highlighted by fan favorites such as the platinum A Place in the Sun [1999], Atomic [2001], and Lit [2004].
In 2021, the quartet—brothers Ajay [vocals] and Jeremy Popoff [guitar], Kevin Baldes [bass], and Taylor Carroll [drums] continue to do what they do best on their seventh full-length album (releasing in 2022) and debut for Round Hill Records.
“When we started firing up to write the new Lit material, we wanted to try and get our heads in that space we had landed in during the late 90s and early 2000s. We not only got back to our old school roots but also found a good marriage between the classic sound of 1999 with a modern production vibe. “Yeah Yeah Yeah” is our first release for this batch of new, yet classic, Lit!” smiles Ajay
Throughout 2020, Lit set the stage for their next chapter. By the time the Global Pandemic hit, the Popoff brothers had both traded Sunny Southern California for Music City, even hitching rides on Jamey Johnson’s tour bus to Nashville. They hit the studio with co-writers and co-producers Carlo Colasacco and Eric Paquette, re-energizing and reinvigorating their sound.
“Those two had a big role in relighting the Lit torch,” says Kevin. “Our drummer Taylor is a monster too, and a big part of the energy of this record. ”
“They’re all younger dudes that grew up big Lit fans,” Jeremy goes on. “So, as we inspired them along the way, they inspired us with their modern and fresh approach to making music. We stripped it back down to the basics, and they gave us new school energy actually inspired by what we’re known for. We focused on what Lit means to people, what it means to us, and embraced who we are. Even though we’re older and wiser now, we still love the same things we’ve always loved. Right out of the gate, we said, ‘We’re not talking about viruses, politics, or any of that shit’. We still want to have a great time, party, and make music that sounds better, loud.”
As such, they rekindle this spirit with a fresh flame with their lead-off single, “Yeah Yeah Yeah.” The song is a throwback to their earlier sound and the perfect jump-off point to this new chapter for the band. Once again, they couple snappy riffs with quotable and clever lyrics just as infectious and incisive as every hard-hitting hook. On a salvo of new material, the guys still pack an undeniable wallop.
With more music and touring on the horizon, Lit launched into another decade with the same heart.
“We’re just relentless,” Kevin leaves off. “It took us ten years to get from being little kids in the garage to our first major deal. We never gave up. We don’t do it for money. We don’t do it for fame. We just love being in a rock ‘n’ roll band, writing songs, and bringing them to life on stage.”
“We’ve taken everyone on a hell of a ride,” concludes Ajay. “Our fans have allowed us to follow whatever path we’ve chosen. Now, we really want them to feel like we delivered on this batch of songs.”
“When you’re listening to Lit, I hope you get to escape from the world for a little bit,” Jeremy states. “We hope you feel like, ‘Damn. In the middle of the shit storm that was 2020 and 2021, these guys managed to dial it back to a more innocent time”.
