There will always be the bands that just make you feel good. The bands that tap into something nostalgic, dredging up memories of belting at the top of your lungs in your room while your stepmom tells you to turn it down from outside your locked door. (If you were like me, that was when you turned the dial and drowned her out, continuing your dance party for one.)
For me, those bands will always be the emo/punk bands that got me through high school and sent me off to college with a determined beat to my step as I made my way around campus.
One of the bands I remember noshing on frequently was Hit the Lights. I was stoked when they announced a new full-length would be released early this year. Now, the “Countdown to Invicta” is at a mere four days, and I couldn’t be more excited to set the needle on the record, free my hair from its perpetual ponytail, and dance around my room like I used to. Hell, I’m sure my roommate will gladly tell me to stop singing at the top of my lungs once I’ve got all these lyrics on lock in my ol’ mind. I’ve got a better sound system then I did in my teens, so I’m also certain drowning her out will be no problem.
Anyway, back to the band. Hit the Lights hails from Lima, OH. They’ve been steadily touring since 2003, playing on such notable tours as Bamboozle, Warped, and a sold-out headlining tour. They’ve played alongside a variety of bands such as Hellogoodbye, Paramore, and New Found Glory to name a few, and they were on the Billboard Top 100 with their last album, Skip School, Start Fights.
All these accomplishments aside, there are two reasons I truly think Hit the Lights are remarkable. The first is the fact that this band refuses to conform to a monotonous idea of what they should sound like. They aren’t about to give in to anyone else’s idea of who or what they should be, and I think that’s a great message for kids out there. It’s alright to be who you are and be confident in that person. In fact, that’s how it should be.
The second reason is that faced with the hardship of losing a member of the band when original frontman Colin Ross left, they regrouped and built something stronger instead of just dissolving. Guitarist Nick Thompson stepped forward to fill the vacancy, proving to be a powerful and engaging frontman. The rest of the band is Omar Zehery on guitar, Kevin Mahoney on guitar, David Bermosk on bass, and Nate Van Damme on drums.
It’s that sort of phoenix story that appeals to me, and it is fitting that their new album is titled Invicta, which literally means “rise above.” It’s been a long wait for their new album, and I’m sure fellow Hit The Lights fans cannot wait for the album to be released next Tuesday, January 31st.
I’m excited to tell you that we’ll be giving away an autographed copy of their new album, Invicta, here at The Vinyl District. To enter to win, let us know which song about overcoming change motivates you.
Michael Jackson’s “Man In The Mirror” is a good example, but give us your own!
The winner will be notified next Friday, February 3rd, and must have a mailing address in North America.
