Hit the Lights

Hit the Lights
Hit the Lights performing at the Glasgow Carling Academy, December 2006
Background information
Origin	Lima, Ohio, USA
Genres	Pop punk
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Universal Republic Records Triple Crown Records Silent Movie Records
Associated acts	Paramore, New Found Glory, Against The Odds, Glasseater, Murdock, Cartel[1]
Members	Nick Thompson Omar Zehery David "Dave" Bermosk Nate Van Dame Kevin Mahoney
Past members	Colin Ross Ryan Radebaugh

Hit the Lights is a pop punk band from Lima, Ohio, currently signed to Razor & Tie.^[1]

History [edit]

Formation and Until We Get Caught EP (2003-2005) [edit]

Hit the Lights formed in 2003. During the band's documentary "Vultures Don't Eat Vans," the band dispelled rumors that their name was taken from a Metallica song. Band members Colin Ross and Omar Zehery first played in a local band The Goodbye Session. Nick Thompson originally was in a group called The Summer Departure and Nate Van Dame had worked for Hawthorne Heights as a drum tech. The band released their first EP, Leaving Town Tonight, in 2004. In March 2005, Hit the Lights recorded and released the EP Until We Get Caught on Silent Movie Records. The band signed to Triple Crown Records which reissued Until We Get Caught in November 2005.^[2]

This Is A Stick Up... Don't Make It A Murder (2006-2007) [edit]

Hit the Lights headlined the Let It Ride Tour in 2007 which featured support from Just Surrender, All Time Low, Valencia, Forgive Durden, The Secret Handshake, and Love Arcade.^[3] Lead singer Colin Ross stated that he could no longer be a part of the band because his heart just was not in it. The other members said they noticed that Ross did not seem to be as into performing and being part of the band the better part of the last year. They were slated to embark on a headlining tour in the United Kingdom in October 2007, but had to cancel due to not being able to find a permanent lead vocalist after Colin Ross left in June 2007.^[4] Colin performed his last show with the band on September 15, 2007, at The Axis in Lima, Ohio.^[5] After that show, the remaining four members went into recording and recorded a cover, "The Warrior", with Nick Thompson on lead vocals.

Skip School Start Fights and Coast To Coast EP (2008-2009) [edit]

The band posted a new demo entitled "Stay Out", on January 31, 2008. Notably, their first single without former lead vocalist Colin Ross. On February 19, 2008, they announced that guitarist/backing vocalist Nick Thompson was taking over the lead vocalist role for the band. On July 8, 2008, Hit the Lights released their second full length titled Skip School, Start Fights. The band shot a music video for the song "Stay Out" in the San Francisco Bay Area on May 27, 2008. The band shot a music video for single "Drop The Girl" on October 6, 2008 in Van Nuys, California. The video includes Glee star Heather Morris in a small role. On June 23, 2009 Hit the lights released Coast to Coast which featured 2 new songs, 2 cover songs, and two acoustic tracks. The band embarked on the 2009 Warped Tour. At Cincinnati stop of the Warped Tour, former vocalist Colin Ross joined Hit the Lights on stage for the song "Bodybag". Hit The Lights embarked on a headlining tour in late 2009, called the Manotour, with opening acts There For Tomorrow, Fireworks, Sparks The Rescue, This Time Next Year, Vinnie Caruana, and Oh No Not Stereo.

Signing with Universal Republic and Invicta EP (2010-2011) [edit]

In April 2010 Hit The Lights toured Australia with New Found Glory and Fireworks. Hit the Lights had fulfilled their contract obligations with Triple Crown Records and began looking for a new label. After a bidding war in March 2010, they announced that they had signed with Universal Republic Records, in partnership with Vagrant Records.^[6] Hit the Lights worked to write their major label debut, but became increasingly frustrated from the lack of feedback and the desire from the label for them to write Top 40 Radio hits. During this time, Universal Republic experienced significant restructuring and in May 2011 Hit the Lights asked for release from their contract, which was granted. On June 1, 2011 Hit the Lights entered the studio to begin recording their new record.^[7] Guitarist Omar has said that they have collaborated with Ryan Key from Yellowcard, Tim Pagnotta from Sugarcult, and Kenny Vasoli from The Starting Line. In September 2011, the band signed with Razor & Tie Records.^[8]

On November 1, 2011, Hit The Lights released the 3-track Invicta EP which featured three new songs that would appear on their third full length album.

Invicta (2012-Present) [edit]

On January 31, 2012, Hit The Lights released their third studio album, titled Invicta. The band announced that former vocalist, Colin Ross, would be reuniting with the band for their East Coast Tour, in December.

Band members [edit]

Current members [edit]

• Nick Thompson – lead vocals (2008–present), guitars, backing vocals (2003–2007)
• Omar Zehery – guitars (2003–present)
• Kevin Mahoney – guitars, backing vocals (2008–present)
• David Bermosk – bass, backing vocals (2003–present)
• Nate Van Damme – drums, percussion (2005–present)

Former members [edit]

• Colin Ross – lead vocals (2003–2007; December 2012)
• Ryan Radebaugh – drums, percussion (2003–2005)

Discography [edit]

Studio albums [edit]

EPs [edit]

• Leaving Town Tonight (2004)
• Until We Get Caught (2005)
• Coast to Coast (2009)
• Invicta EP (2011)

Splits [edit]

• From Ohio with Love (2004)

References [edit]

1. ^ ^{a b} http://soundsthatmatter.com/2010/10/18/hit-the-lights/
2. ^ [1]
3. ^ [2]
4. ^ [3]
5. ^ [4]
6. ^ [5]
7. ^ PropertyOfZack
8. ^ [6]
9. ^ "Hit the Lights - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2012. 

External links [edit]

• Hit the Lights' profile at MySpace
• Hit the Lights' profile at PureVolume
• Hit the Lights' profile at YouTube