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."Train kept on
Rolling" at KFOG Kaboom
........ rain don't derail themselves by sticking
solely to greasy jams and high-wire guitar acrobatics. The San Francisco-based
five-piece keep their slice-of-life sound simple and lean, never overdoing what
doesn't need to be overdone. Frontman Patrick Monahan has a voice that
was made for this material. Bearing an uncanny vocal resemblance to Blues
Traveler's John Popper, he slip-slides from one drunken heartbreak to another,
but always gets up, brushes the dirt off his jeans, and keeps on
living.
......San Francisco's started
the band Train in 1994. It was in late 1993 that Patrick Monahan left Erie,
Pennsylvania and met up with the Los Angeles band, the Apostles. Lead
singer/guitarist Rob Hotchkiss and fellow guitarist Jim Stafford had basically
disbanded by this time, but the chance meeting with Patrick Monahan proved
fortuitous as Hotchkiss extended an invitation to the crooning Monahan to
become a two-man band. After making exhaustive appearances in low-key coffee
houses, they decided to form a full band and enlisted former Apostles' members
Stafford and bassist Charlie Colin. Colin brought along his good friend,
drummer Scott Underwood and Train was on its way. Train settled in San
Francisco to develop their sound in a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere.
...... In an unlikely scenario,
executives from Columbia Records expressed an interest and, in a somewhat
cooperative strategy, farmed the fledling band out to the minors -- in this
instance, Aware Records -- where they could grow naturally and unhurriedly. In
1997, they went on tour, opening for the likes of Blues Traveler, Barenaked
Ladies and Counting Crows. Train knew they had arrived when they sold out a
performance at San Francisco's Fillmore on Nov 3rd.
...... Train is a great new
band that definitely has a possibility of becoming big. With the couple
radio-friendly songs they put out, it's easy to see. Songs like "Meet Virginia" and "I Am" are very catchy, and the melody sticks to
your head. "I Am" is a powerful
country-rock ballad about a man filled with self-doubt preparing to close a
chapter of his life. ...........No song in modern
rock can equal the baggage this song carries with it. "If You Leave" is that cynical rock love song
that makes people cringe or think. "Homesick" is another country rock
ballad about coming home, a nice pretty harmless tune. Then "Free" comes, a rock song about loneliness and
freedom. All in all, Train did the impossible, make a good rock record. Train
is steeped in soaring melodies and drenched with quirky lyrics.
By Randy Cohen
........This is the Official Rock Publication Web Site
All photos and written material courtesy of Rock Publication
.Copyright © 2007
E-mail at
Rockpub@aol.com
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Train Members Are !
Patrick Monahan: Vocals, Percussion Jimmy Stafford:
Guitar, Vocals Rob Hotchkiss: Guitar, Vocals Scott Underwood: Drums Charlie
Colin: Bass
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