artists » Torre Cioffi of Transit

Transit is a young band based out of Stoneham, Massachusetts, and they produce a combination of post-hardcore and pop-punk with adolescent spirit and mature guitar grit. They’ve been progressively evolving since 2006, developing an audience of followers that appreciate Transit’s melodic grace and live insanity.

Influential punk site AbsolutePunk.net had this to say about them: “Good luck keeping Transit’s passionate and infectious tunes a secret. Once you hear the first chords of opener ‘Dear Anyone,’ you’ll immediately go out and tell all your friends about the best pop-punk album of 2010.” Their latest album, Promise Nothing, was released April 16, 2011 and was also well-received. They have recently wrapped up spots on the popular Bamboozle tour and head out with Bayside for remaining summer tour dates. VOX was able speak with Tim and Torre of Transit about their admiration for VOX Virage guitars and AC30 Amps. Here’s part one with Torre and be sure to check out the video:

VOX: Let’s start from the top…how did you begin your journey as an artist/musician?

Torre Cioffi: Everyone in my family plays music and it was just in my blood. It was something I’ve always been interested in and it makes me who I am today. I’ve been playing since I was 11, so it’s been 12+ years now since I’ve got my first guitar and the rest just goes on from there.

VOX: You guys create some very infectious tunes with great hooks…but work in some pretty intricate and unique guitar parts. How does that writing process usually happen for you?

Torre Cioffi: Tim or I will come up with a guitar part and bring it to practice and we all just put our ideas together. Or Joe B (Joe Boynton, our singer) will come up with a vocal melody and we will put a guitar riff to it and we will base the song around the melody. We make sure that the guitar riffs and the melodies don’t fight each other as well, and sometimes if it doesn’t work, you just need to take the simple route.

VOX: Are there any recent studio sessions or live performances that stick out in your mind? Any stories from Warped Tour?

Torre Cioffi: Bamboozle is definitely a performance that sticks out to me and I believe that was the first or second show that we used the VOX guitars live. It was the best show I’ve ever been a part of, to date. Also, we’ve been in a studio in Danvers, MA, writing for our new record, and the songs are amazing. This studio just gives us a vibe and we’ve been writing the best songs Transit will release to date, in our opinions.

VOX: So let’s talk about gear…what drew you to the Virage?

Torre Cioffi: The Virage took me by surprise. As soon as I saw what the guitar looked like, I just loved it. The vintage sunburst just stuck out so much and just caught my attention. I also love the semi-hollow body and the (Three-90™) pickups in it. I needed to have it when I saw it.

VOX: What are your favorite features? What separates it from other guitars you’ve played?

Torre Cioffi: My favorite features about the guitar are the way it feels and the way it sounds. It’s so easy to play and just plays so smooth. It also is light, so it’s a blast to play live. The sound that this guitar and the pickups produce is mind blowing, especially playing it though my VOX AC30 2×12.

VOX: Any favorite pickup settings for you?

Torre Cioffi: I use all of the pickup settings and they all sound amazing. It depends on the part I am playing to decide which setting I am going to use.

VOX: And you play AC30 amps…How did you get into them?

Torre Cioffi: I was so sick of lugging around a cab and a head and it just takes a toll on you so I wanted something easier and I tried out the VOX AC30 and it ruled so hard. I don’t want to use any other amp ever again.

VOX: Is there anything you’d like us to mention?

Torre Cioffi: Just keep an eye out for our new full length that will be released on Rise Records in the next few months.

VOX: Is there a general quote about the Virage or VOX in general you’d like to leave us with?

Torre Cioffi: I feel like I will never be fully satisfied with a guitar again until I get another VOX.

Watch video here!

For more information on Transit, check out www.myspace.com/transit and www.facebook.com/transitmakesmusic

Photo Credit: Michael Glockner