Train biography
Train is an American pop band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1994. The band currently comprises a core trio of Patrick Monahan (vocals), Jimmy Stafford (guitar, vocals) and Scott Underwood (drums, percussion).
Train, with a line-up that included original members Rob Hotchkiss and Charlie Colin, as well as Monahan, Stafford and Underwood, achieved mainstream success with their debut album, Train, which was released in 1998 with the hit "Meet Virginia". Their second album, Drops of Jupiter (2001), brought the band massive popularity. The lead single from the album, "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)", was an international hit and won two Grammy Awards in 2002. The album was certified double platinum in the United States and Canada and remains the band's best-selling album to date.
Their third studio album, My Private Nation, released in 2003, continued the band's success, and was certified platinum in the United States with the hit "Calling All Angels". Following the departures of Hotchkiss and Colin, the band released their fourth album, For Me, It's You in 2006, with Johnny Colt on bass and Brandon Bush on keys. Despite a generally positive reception from critics, the album was commercially unsuccessful. Train then went on a three-year hiatus.
Returning in late 2009 with the album Save Me, San Francisco, from which album three singles- the RIAA 5x Platinum certified international hit "Hey, Soul Sister", "If It's Love" and "Marry Me"- reached high positions on the Billboard Hot 100 at number three, 34, and 34 respectively. The album itself has been certified Gold by both the RIAA and ARIA and is currently closing in on Platinum status having sold 954,000 units. Since 2008, Hector Maldonado (bass, guitar, vocals, percussion) and Jerry Becker (keyboards, guitar) have been touring and recording with the group around the world. Cello player Ana Lenchantin joined the band for a few months during the last leg of the Save Me, San Francisco tour from June through October 2011.
History
Formation and early years
Following the dissolution of his Led Zeppelin cover band, singer Patrick Monahan left his hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania in late 1993. He resettled in California and crossed paths with Rob Hotchkiss, who performed in coffee houses and local clubs. The two shared lead vocals, with Hotchkiss on guitar and harmonica, and Monahan playing percussion, including a modified conga attached to a kick-drum pedal. Hotchkiss had been the lead singer for LA based Apostles. After deciding to form a full band, the duo recruited Jimmy Stafford on guitar, Charlie Colin on bass, and Scott Underwood on drums, thus solidifying Train's lineup in 1994. Train attempted to get signed under Columbia Records in 1996, but were rejected. Subsequently, the band decided to release its first self-titled CD independently. By 1997, they were touring nationally, opening concerts for bands such as Barenaked Ladies, Hootie & the Blowfish, Cracker and Counting Crows.
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