Gold miners of the 1800's dedicated their lives to digging,
brushing, and panning through mountains of needless earth
and rock to hopefully discover a gold nugget, even the size
of a thumbnail. It is this commitment that obsesses Transition,
the best fucking band around. David and Chris started a band
about 7 years ago and, like many bands, the roster was constantly
changing. Having known Gabe since 4th grade, David placed
him about 5 years ago. Finally, Jack joined over a year later
to complete the magic chemistry known as Transition.
Hailing from Noe Valley, a harsh part of the city, they represent
San Francisco. The name Extinction, ugh, I mean Transition
allows them to always change and progress. Progression has
always been their focus. Not interested in major labels, they
sent a four song, four-track demo and a half-page xerox with
four sentences and an address to Indy labels. The wise and
discriminating SST Records signed them before even seeing
them live. "Before, everyone wanted to change us", says Jack.
"So far, the industry has been great! We're amateurs and it's
good. SST has been great, backing us up, and giving us artistic
freedom."
Like the gold miner is to mining, Transitions' only focus
is music. "We're extremely picky about songwriting. It takes
a long time to write and everybody contributes," professes
David. "Instead of being theoretical, we strike the instruments
in a way that makes a sound we like." And Transition has all
likable sounds. "Every part of the music has to be perfect,"
adds Gabriel. "It's nothing I can describe, we just all four
know in our heads when it's right." This slow, precise approach
to songwriting is fueled by growth and inspiration and life.
The music is definitive and precise, but so raw, dynamic,
very soulful, and damn rockin'! Transition is in the talented
leagues of Jane's Addiction, S.N.F.U., Tool, and NOFX. But
by no means sound like any of them, they are original! Imagine
that! Remember that word, original, back when bands were dedicated
to music, not music business?!? Listen to Transistion and
you will remember. "Every song is about some kind of struggle
and getting through it or not getting through it," says the
realistic lyricist. "Aggression, anger, organization, suffering
with a glint of positivity represent what we see through our
eyes. The songs don't tell a story and aren't specific, they're
many things twisted in each song." The poetry David expresses
is like a mind stimulating labarynth. But, it's the melodies
that will kick all your asses and get you dripping with ecstacy.
The future holds bright things for this do-it-yourselfer band,
more than they know. They plan on simply writing and playing.
They have a tour in August and September through the U.S.
and Canada supporting Greg Ginn, even though their secret
fantasy is to play with Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, NoMeansNo,
and The Damned. So, catch Transition before you have to see
them from an 11,000 person coliseum with shitty sound through
binoculors with some ex-metalhead trying to sell you doses
while you're munching on a $4 corndog and a $6 Budweiser fighting
with your partner about who is driving home and spending $30
on a t-shirt, O.K?!? And I highly suggest buying their brilliant
debut album, "Spine". And it comes on traditional black vinyl,
always a plus.
Shouts Out: Ashley Jenkin, Steve Smith, Shawn Perkinson, Chris
Oxford(the bands Graphic Artist), and to the #1 Groupie. Peace.
