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 two with Tim and be sure to check out the video:

VOX: How did you begin your journey as an artist/musician, Tim?
Tim Landers: Well, I started playing guitar for the first time when I was in third grade, but I wasn’t really getting anywhere with it so I gave up. A few months later, I started messing around and trying to write cool riffs and stuff in my room and never stopped. Throughout my life, I’ve always played in bands because I love nothing other than making music. Transit has been a band for about six years now and I couldn’t be happier playing my songs for a living.

VOX: I was talking with Torre about how 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?
Tim Landers: Honestly, I don’t really know. It just kind of happens. Sometimes I’ll write a cool riff in my room or something and try to piece it together in a song, and sometimes it will just come out naturally at practice. I just try to write guitar parts that are interesting and memorable. Whether it takes seconds or hours to come up with a cool part, I always try to keep it sounding different and rad.

VOX: Are there any recent studio sessions or live performances that stick out in your mind? Any stories from Warped?
Tim Landers: We’ve been working on a new record for the past few months in a studio in Danvers, MA. I’ve been playing a lot of guitar and messing around with weird tunings and it’s really bringing about a new sound and chapter to our band. I’m super stoked on the record, can’t wait to finish it up. That’s pretty much the only thing that stands out in my mind right now.

VOX: So let’s talk about gear…what drew you to the Virage?
Tim Landers: I knew the Virage was the guitar for me a soon as I saw it. It has my two favorite things about guitars - it’s a semi-hollow body and it has a lot of pickup variations in it. So obviously, it rules and sounds killer.

VOX: What are your favorite features? What separates it from other guitars you’ve played?
Tim Landers: As I mentioned before, the pickups and body type are what drew me to the Virage immediately. It really just feels like no other guitar I’ve ever played. The fret board just feels perfect. The guitar just straight up sings, especially with the AC30.

VOX: Any favorite pickup settings for you?
Tim Landers: I keep it straight in the middle with the two soapbar-style voicings. It just sounds dead on.

VOX: And you mentioned AC30 amps…How did you get into them?
Tim Landers: In all honesty, I went to see Jimmy Eat World two years ago and their live sound blew me away. I saw that they were playing AC30s so I checked a few out. Needless to say, I’m hooked.

VOX: Is there anything you’d like us to mention?
Tim Landers: Be on the lookout for our new album in the next few months- it’s coming out on Rise Records. In the meantime, check out our 7” called Promise Nothing. We’ll be doing an East Coast tour with Bayside in July, too.

VOX: Is there a general quote about the Virage or VOX in general you’d like to leave us with?
Tim Landers: I’m not going to be fully content with any other guitar rig again.

Watch video here!