The American rock band Train rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s with hits like “Meet Virginia” and “Drops of Jupiter.” At their peak, they won three Grammy awards and had a string of chart-topping singles. However, like many bands, their popularity has waxed and waned over the decades. So what is Train up to now in 2023? Are they still making new music and touring for fans?
Quick Answers
Yes, the band Train is still actively playing and performing as of 2023. Though they may not be as ubiquitous on pop radio today, Train continues to tour around the world and make new music after over 25 years together.
Band History and Members
Train formed in San Francisco in 1993 when lead singer Pat Monahan relocated from Pennsylvania. Guitarist Jimmy Stafford and drummer Scott Underwood completed the initial three-piece lineup. They released their debut self-titled album independently in 1996 before signing to a major label. Monahan remains the only original member still performing in Train.
Their breakthrough came with the 1998 album Train, which featured the hits “Meet Virginia” and “I Am”. However, it was their 2001 album Drops of Jupiter that catapulted Train to stardom. The title track won two Grammy awards and became one of their signature songs. Between 1999 and 2009, the band landed over 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Partial List of Train Members Over the Years
- Pat Monahan – lead vocals, percussion (1993-present)
- Jimmy Stafford – lead guitar, backing vocals (1993-present)
- Scott Underwood – drums, percussion (1993-present)
- Charlie Colin – bass, backing vocals (1997-2003)
- Brandon Bush – keyboards, piano (2003-2012)
- Johnny Colt – bass guitar (2012-2016)
- Hector Maldonado – bass, vocals (2017-2019)
- Sakai Smith – keyboards (2017-present)
- Jerry Becker – guitar, keyboards (2017-present)
- Matt Musty – drums (2017-present)
- Nikita Houston – backing vocals (2017-present)
- Luis Maldonado – bass (2019-present)
Train’s Music Catalogue and Accolades
Over their three-decade career, Train has released 10 studio albums, including a Christmas album in 2019. Their music explores adult pop, pop rock, and soft rock themes. They have sold over 10 million albums worldwide.
Some highlights of Train’s awards and achievements:
- 3 Grammy awards won
- Over 20 songs placed on various Billboard charts
- 8 top 10 hits on the Adult Contemporary chart
- Nominated for 6 American Music Awards
- Received the Billboard Roadwork Award for touring in 2005
Though no longer charting hits as frequently in recent years, Train continues to have an enduring catalogue of radio-friendly hits that still garner airplay today like “Hey, Soul Sister” and “Drive By”.
Train Studio Album Discography
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1996 | Train |
| 1998 | Train |
| 2001 | Drops of Jupiter |
| 2003 | My Private Nation |
| 2006 | For Me, It’s You |
| 2009 | Save Me, San Francisco |
| 2012 | California 37 |
| 2014 | Bulletproof Picasso |
| 2017 | A Girl, a Bottle, a Boat |
| 2019 | Christmas in Tahoe |
Train’s Tours and Performances
Despite fluctuations in their mainstream popularity, Train has continued to be a powerful touring force over the decades. They still perform at large venues, state fairs, casinos, and festivals around the U.S. and internationally.
Some recent and upcoming Train tour highlights:
- Soul Summer 2022 co-headlining tour with Jewel
- Save Me, San Francisco Wine Co. & Song Tour in 2021
- 2020 summer tour with vertical horizon and Will Anderson – cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
- Sail Across the Sun cruise performances (2016-2020)
- 2021-2023 residency at Encore Theater in Las Vegas
- Scheduled performance at Carolina Country Music Fest in June 2023
Pat Monahan also continues to collaborate with other artists. He featured on country singer Kenny Chesney’s 2022 album Here and Now.
Highest-Grossing Train Tours
| Tour | Year | Gross |
|---|---|---|
| Drops of Jupiter Tour | 2001-02 | $35.1 million |
| My Private Nation Tour | 2003-04 | $33.8 million |
| For Me, It’s You Tour | 2006-07 | $27.8 million |
| Save Me San Francisco Tour | 2010-11 | $22.4 million |
| Mermaids of Alcatraz Tour | 2016 | $11.3 million |
Recent and Upcoming Train Albums
Though they may never match their early 2000s success, Train continues to put out new music for their devoted fanbase.
Their most recent studio album was 2017’s A Girl, A Bottle, A Boat. It reached No. 10 on the Billboard 200 album chart and featured the Adult Contemporary hit “Play That Song.” The album’s title references Train’s signature mix of women, wine, and romance themed lyrics.
In May 2022, Train released a new single called “Cleopatra.” Frontman Pat Monahan said it would be the lead single from an upcoming album. However, no album release date has been announced yet. Fans are eagerly awaiting more new music from Train.
In recent interviews, Monahan has said Train also has an acoustic album in the works that will showcase stripped-down versions of the band’s past hits.
Train’s Future
It’s now been over 25 years since Train formed and began their journey from struggling San Francisco bar band to international pop/rock stardom. As they’ve settled into elder statesmen status, they seem focused on touring and making the music they enjoy.
“We’re in a spot where we don’t have anything to prove anymore,” Pat Monahan told Billboard in 2022. “We just want to have fun.”
Barring any major band shakeups or left turns, fans can likely expect more of the same easygoing adult contemporary rock they’ve come to love from Train in the future – on album and especially on the road. Though they may be out of the pop spotlight, clearly this Train is still rolling after all these years.
Conclusion
In summary, despite going through ups and downs in mainstream success, the band Train remains active and touring over 25 years after bursting onto the music scene. They continue releasing new music every few years, including an upcoming album hinted for 2023. While no longer dominating the charts, songs like “Hey Soul Sister” and “Drops of Jupiter” ensure enduring popularity. Lead singer Pat Monahan still anchors the group, now joined by a rotating cast of musicians. Train rolls on with no signs of slowing down their touring schedule or making new material for their dedicated fanbase. Though they may never again reach their early 2000s heights, Train keeps chugging along as elder statesmen of adult contemporary rock.