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Train
A no-nonsense mainstream rock outfit from San Francisco, Train have approached success in the music industry like the little engine that could, slowly climbing the mountain that at first seemed unattainable. Following a year and a half of practically nonstop work, their self-titled debut album finally reached the Billboard Top 100, which has no doubt turned the band mantra from "We think we can" to "We know we can."
What started as two guys with strong voices and one guitar became San Francisco's Train by 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 fledgling 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 prestigious venue, The Fillmore. Their completed debut album was released the following year. Drops of Jupiter followed three years later.
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Artist Biography - Train
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 The Band started out with only two members. By 1994 they became San Francisco's Train. They Started out by performing in coffee houses and other local club establishments. Later on they decided to make a full band and recruited Stafford and Charlie Colin. Scott Underwood was Charlie Colin's friend who came along. By 1997 they went on tour and opened concerts for groups such as the Barenaked Ladies, and Counting Crows. Their song "Ordinary" is featured in the Spider-Man 2 movie.
Signed to Aware/ Columbia Records, Train released their debut album--mixed (with the exception of one track) by Counting Crows guitarist David Bryson--on Feb. 24, 1998, to little notice. But a grueling tour schedule and a little help from TV gradually raised public awareness. The album's first single, "Free," was featured on the popular series Party Of Five, while its follow-up, "Meet Virginia," was slated for inclusion on Dawson's Creek. In addition to that, the video for "Meet Virginia," starring supermodel/ actress Rebecca Gayheart, got prominent play on VH1, and the band itself made a successful appearance on NBC's Late Night With Conan O'Brien.
The results of all this prime exposure were unsurprising: radio play and sales soared. As of Aug. 15, 1999, Train was shifting more than 10,000 units per week; by October, it had vaulted above No. 100 on the Billboard album charts; by November, it had been certified gold. But for Train themselves, probably the most gratifying sign of their success was the fact that they sold out their hometown's most prestigious venue, the Fillmore Auditorium.
The real breakthrough, however, came with the single "Drops Of Jupiter" from the album of the same name in March 2001. Significant airplay of the single helped Drops Of Jupiter debut at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. The single, which Monahan wrote late in the album's recording process, reached No. 5 in the U.S. and also became a hit in the U.K. Perhaps sensing the tune's commercial potential, the singer-songwriter played it for Columbia Records head Don Ienner before presenting it to the band. The song also scored Grammy nominations for record of the year and song of the year, as well as best rock song and best rock performance by a duo or group with vocal. The band took home the award in the latter category, besting such high-profile competition as U2, Coldplay, and Aerosmith.
In 2002 Train once again hired producer Brendan O'Brien and headed into the studio to cut its follow-up to Jupiter. Initially set for a fall 2002 release, Train's third album, My Private Nation, was unveiled in June 2003.
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For more information , enjoy the official homepage of Train
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