You’ve heard it before and you’ll surely hear it again – there’s a jam/improvisational act out of the quirky northern city of Burlington, Vermont beginning to make some noise. So how does a band separate its sound within a scene over saturated amongst bands playing “in the moment” delicacies? Take the elder trio Transit for instance.
Rob Voland (guitar), Donald “Dee” Davis (bass), and Brian Hanf (drums) aren’t privy to the music of popular culture and the burgeoning jam music scene, nor do they care - opting to remain true to an era that illuminates with part psychedelic/organic rock and another of garage rock’s raw noir. Transit’s sound is a crunchy testament to a time of simplicity, attaining the essence of improvisational originality, while capturing the moment’s true conscience - both the sunny and dark. It is this electric telepathy between the trio on stage that enables Transit to deliver this gritty passage of raw emotion that reflects in their cozy, coffeehouse stage settings.
Voland is just as comfortable plugging into his 60’s Ampeg Reverb – rocket with homemade plywood and glue speakers, powered by a $5.00 Bogen Tube P.A. amp, as he would some splashy Guitar Center rig. Accompanied by his delicate voice, his atmospheric tone teases a jam marathon, but often ends abruptly, yet convincingly – enough said. Alongside, Davis, no stranger to playing with his eyes closed while forming his own modest, yet fervent bass lines. Meanwhile Hanf's subtle rhythm and honest kit prove less is sometimes more.
From the anguished guitar tremblings of “Neon Sabbath,” to dissonant mellow rumblings, Transit provided the heady Monkey House crowd a comfortable backdrop for 9-ball and dark Vermont stouts. Familiar and content, though never over-stretching their boundaries, the band is focused on setting the mood. Just how their low-key sound will prevail in larger venues – time can only tell.
Keeping the business end of things on the backburner might be the best or worst thing to happen for Transit. Then again, some of the best things in music are those sounds left for self-discovery.
“It’s a mystery and we leave it as a mystery. Let the music go through you,” Davis says. “Let go of the ego and open up to the possibilities.”
To read more visit transitsounds.com.
