Lit

Biography

Lit is an American rock band formed in Orange County, California in 1988. The lineup consists of brothers A. Jay Popoff (lead vocals) and Jeremy Popoff (guitar, backing vocals), Kevin Baldes (bass, backing vocals), and Taylor Carroll (drums). The band is best known for their 1999 platinum album A Place in the Sun, which featured the hit single "My Own Worst Enemy."

History

Early Years and Tripping the Light Fantastic

The band was initially formed in 1988 under the name Razzle, playing metal-influenced music. They later changed their name to Stain in 1994, before settling on Lit in 1995. In 1997, they released their debut album, Tripping the Light Fantastic, on the Malicious Vinyl record label. This album helped them gain a local following and college radio play.

Mainstream Success with A Place in the Sun and Atomic

Lit's breakthrough came with their 1999 album A Place in the Sun, released on RCA Records. The album went platinum and spawned three hit singles: "My Own Worst Enemy," "Zip-Lock," and "Miserable." "My Own Worst Enemy" topped the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart and won a Billboard Music Award for Modern Rock Song of the Year. The band toured extensively in support of the album, playing at Woodstock '99 and the Vans Warped Tour. Their follow-up album, Atomic, was released in 2001 and featured the hit single "Lipstick and Bruises."

Later Albums and Hiatus

The band released a self-titled album in 2004. In 2008, original drummer Allen Shellenberger was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and passed away in 2009 at the age of 39. The band went on a brief hiatus, returning in 2012 with the album The View from the Bottom, which was dedicated to Shellenberger.

Shift in Sound and Recent Activity

The band's sixth album, These Are the Days (2017), saw them exploring a more country-influenced sound. However, they returned to their rock roots with their seventh studio album, Tastes Like Gold, released in 2022. Lit continues to tour and release new music, with their most recent single "Breakaway" released in 2024.

Band Members

Current Members

• A. Jay Popoff – lead vocals
• Jeremy Popoff – guitar, backing vocals
• Kevin Baldes – bass
• Taylor Carroll – drums

Former Members

• Allen Shellenberger – drums
• Nathan Walker - drums
• Ryan Gillmor - guitar, keyboards

Discography

Studio Albums

• Tripping the Light Fantastic (1997)
• A Place in the Sun (1999)
• Atomic (2001)
• Lit (2004)
• The View from the Bottom (2012)
• These Are the Days (2017)
• Tastes Like Gold (2022)