Exploding from a basement in Lima, Ohio, Hit The Lights has been an electrifying spark in pop-punk since 2003. Known for delivering a kinetic blend of high-energy punk rock with emo-tinged arrangements and hardcore-inspired breakdowns, the band gained traction with their debut EP, followed by their first full-length, This Is A Stickup…Don’t Make It A Murder, released on Triple Crown Records in 2006. Through their infectious sound and relentless touring with influential acts like New Found Glory, Paramore, All Time Low, and Simple Plan, they have earned themselves a loyal fan base that remains devoted to this day.
With the departure of original vocalist Colin Ross in 2007, the band’s evolution took a pivotal turn when guitarist Nick Thompson seamlessly stepped in as lead singer, reinvigorating their tonality with a pair of albums. In 2015, they landed at Pure Noise Records and released Summer Bones, a record that fused their nostalgic roots with a grittier feeling edge and an unyielding drive for reinvention.
The band faced tragedy in 2022 with the untimely loss of guitarist Kyle Maite – a shock that left scars but also brought their shared history into sharp, unrelenting focus. Through grief and gratitude, they’ve emerged stronger, channeling life’s chaos into new music that pulses with urgency and purpose. To the members, Hit The Lights is more than a band; it is a testament to the unbreakable bond that only the love of shared melody and spirit can provide.
