LIT: TRAGIC STORY Of The Band Behind 'MY OWN WORST ENEMY'
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.พ. 2025
- The history of the band Lit who is best known for the song 'My Own Worst Enemy'
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Few songs really capture the late 90’s like the Lit’s track My Own Worst Enemy. It was a long winding road for Lit to achieve success and through their 30 plus year career, they’d change their musical styles, deal with tragedy and their hit song pretty much became a self fulfilling prophecy. But whatever happened to the band Lit. That’s what were going to explore in today’s video.
The band’s origins begin with frontman AJ Popoff and his brother Jeremy who is 2 years older They would hail from Fullerton, in Orange County.
AJ went out to his 64 cadillac got his notepad and wrote that lyric he had. The next piece of the song was that memorable guitar riff which jeremy came up with. The band started to play along and AJ wasn’t sure what to sing, but then he remembered that lyric he jotted down at the gas bar Based on interviews the members gave it was written pretty quickly between 30 min to an hour.
The studio version that ended up on Lit’s subsequent release is pretty close to the demo. AJ would recall to SPin Back in those days, when we were writing a song, we would put filler words in there just to have something to sing, something to chew on while we were making it. Then when we would get closer, we’d go back to those, and then we’d just go in and fine-tune the words before we would demo them up or record or whatever, but that one just took off from under us. We demoed it up the way it was because people were freaking out…[If we’d written it now] we would’ve totally gone back and fixed a bunch of those words…and thank God we didn’t. The song is autobgioraphical, admitting to screwing up, but at the same time not saying you want do it again. The band was into partying, but they were more into playing poker and drinking almost every weekend, not doing beer bongs or playing beer pong.
The band would premiere the song live at the troubadour in late 1998 and audiences and even their fellow bands loved it. Fellow orange county band Zebrahead who was already signed was at that show and one the members told the band that the song was a hit. The band by this point were attracting bigger and bigger crowds and label reps were showing up at a lot of shows around Orange County. Lit would finally sign with RCA Records after reps heard their demo and saw them perform my own worst enemy live.
The band would head to NRG recording studio in north hollywood - with producer Don Gilmore who worked with Linkin Park and Eve 6. The song’s were about 90-95% finished by this point. RCA would issue A Place in the Sun on February 23, 1999. The title was reference to Frank Sinatra’s old stomping ground in vegas The Sands hotel. The band’s sound would see comparisons to Third Eye Blind, early elvis costello and social distortion.
The band’s manager would admit on the band’s podcast that payola was pretty common at this time - labels paying radio stations to play their artists music. She believed in my own worst enemy so much she forbade RCA from using payola to get the song on radio stations as it would hurt the legitimacy of the band. -. She asked RCA to call certain radio stations and tell them they would get the lead single my own worst enemy early. The song was sent to a station in St. Louis who was the first station to play the song. By January of 99 a month before the album’s release KROQ started playing the song and the label and the band were surprised at the response. My Own Worst Enemy was being played almost every 2 hours on KROQ and the audience was eating it up.
By April, My Own worst enemy topped the alternative airplay charts where it stayed for 11 consecutive weeks. Couple this with heavy play on mtv and the song was inescapable. It soon became one of the most popular songs of the summer in 1999. The success of the song resulted in a place in the sun going gold by June of 1999 and platinum in October. It would eventually go on to sell nearly 1.5 million copies.
Lit had two more successful singles on the record including miserable and zip-lock with them peaking at at number 3 and nu
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Jeremy’s son here. Just wanted to say great video man. You really did your research and know so many small details about the band/family’s past!
I don't know if you're into hip hop/rap, but listen to GZA's song "Labels" from the Liquid Swords album. It could explain the nefarious attitudes of the big name record executives.
We love when LIT visits the Pittsburgh area.( Jergels)
My photo with your Dad post show hangs on my concert wall.
Saw lit with 311 at the Santa Barbara bowl about 15 years ago. Excellent show
@@kenjones9326more of a 4th Chamber guy myself
Thanks!
Let me just say this. LIT is still alive and well. Just saw them in concert last year. They put on a great show! They work their tails off and produce some excellent music. The biggest tragedy was when Schellenberger their drummer passed away. Ajay's vocals are still incredible, Jeremy's guitar skills are incredible, and Kevin rocks that bass like no other. If any band deserves a chance back to the top, LIT does. Like I said, these guys work so hard and I enjoy everything they put out these days.
We need to bring guitar rock back in every way we can. Turn our kids onto it and keep the bands still going! And influence the generation to carry it on.
Just saw them last November too, they played our county fair. Was an awesome show and a great opportunity to introduce my 13 yr old into the rock scene
I get it, good vocals, guitars, bass & drums, but it's writing great songs what is the downfall of many bands. You can master your instrument but songwriting is in a different league.
When My Own Worst Enemy comes on, you know you're gonna be singing every word.
Nope
@@Dr.SamLoomis okay, 🎶but please tell me why🎶
@@jwr2904 It's generic and too heavily autotuned.
Radio stations still play "My Own Worst Enemy" decades after the song got played the first time.
Thank you, mrtruestories. I always wondered what happened to Lit.
You’re welcome!
It's RNRtruestories
What happened to the meat puppets
@@JaredHancock-sw6ou They're still going
I am here after hearing this track on the way home on the radio!
Damn, you don't hear about bands with a bond like that. To have the drummer live with them, take him to his appointments, and being there when he died. I had good memories of Lit, but now they've got my respect bigtime. I saw them open for Silverchair back in the day and they were great live! The guitarist had a neon pink fuzzy amp, badass!
Thanks for the history lesson! The summer of 1999 was when I discovered rock music. I damned near lost my mind when I first heard "My Own Worst Enemy" on the radio. The riff, the words, and that relentless kickass energy were unlike anything I'd heard and it changed my life.
As a performer 25 years later, I can report that that song still makes crowds go bananas!
You’re welcome!
I never got into Lit enough to purchase albums, but whenever that riff for My Own Worst Enemy would come on, I'd start headbanging. What a great simple riff and song that never got old!
Not really a headbanging riff...maybe a light but not overly aggressive toe tap
I saw LIT at a free show in Carrollton TX in 2022. It was a fun show. Of course, everybody went nuts hearing "My Own Worst Enemy".
Great video! Me and my daughter Haley just spent the entire day in East Nashville at the recording studio with Taylor Carroll, LIT’s current drummer. Taylor is a terrific drummer and an even better person. Taylor Co-wrote and is producing Haley’s track. The entire LIT Band is Top Shelf.
This guys channel deserves a lot more subscribers millions upon millions even because his information behind all these bands, singers, and their songs is amazing and in depth.
Lit is awesome! When 'My Own Worst Enemy" came out and they were touring with Silverchair was the first time I seen them and I got to meet them and they were all really nice guys. The next time they came to town they put my friend and I on the guest list. I always wondered what happened to them! Great video!
So pleased I got to see Lit live in London doing their 25th anniversary tour of A Place In The Sun. Such a special and nostalgic album for me - it’s my go-to Summer album; it’s got such sunny, good vibe feels for me.
I’ve always followed them since I picked up that album over 20 years ago now, and while I’ve liked a lot of their material ever since, it wasn’t until the album Tastes Like Gold that I truly fell in love with them all over again - Wow! What a return to form.
I’m always happy to hear new music by Lit. For me, they’re a hidden gem. Although that could be a U.K. thing. I hope they keep churning out absolute bangers - such an underrated band
Saw the band in April 2021 in Lake Havasu. I actually felt bad for the band. They were playing a private party we were at...playing mid-day on a barge to about 100 middle age people that weren't particularly interested. The band sounded good but looked burned out. That being said...My Own Worst Enemy is an absolute classic that will live on forever.
I was there that day too. That’s what made me click this video when it popped up on my feed. I agree with your assessment of that day.
I’m sure they were compensated pretty well for private party.
I kinda miss living in Havasu saw lots of good bands when I lived there...
This entire video just gave me powerful nostalgia ..
It’s gotta be crushing to have one monster hit and never reach that level again.
But sometimes it not always about the money wow we can tell you grew up rich
Love them,their got so many hits!
AJ so humble❤
A Place In The Sun and Atomic both have some bangers on there. For some reason they were always knows as Alternative but they were always pop/punk to me.
Also my DARE officer in middle schooled actually played My Own Worst Enemy for us with the lyrics up on a projector so we could see the negative effects of alcohol lol
Oh man I remember Dare! They sell T shirts at hot topic I think
Atomic is great all the way through
Great albums full of hits
LOL..
D.A.R.E. using the song that way sounds hilarious.
DARE was.......wait for it.......Lit
I saw Lit on my 20th birthday 5/1/2002. Jeremy played the star spangled banner in between songs since 9/11 was still pretty fresh in everyone’s minds. It was a fun show. Good energy from the band.
Happy birthday. That’s mine too. I turned 14 that year.
This band always makes me happy, it was an anthem for my troubled teens and pure nostalgia now in my 40's, the album "The view from the bottom" is their best work imo.
My own worst enemy is a signature pop punk/alternative rock classic
Sure is. I tend to not like that genre but I rock out to that song every time I hear in.
"A Place in the Sun" is still great from start to finish. I was a junior in HS and loved driving around blasting it so listening to it now takes me back!
You name-dropped Butch Walker in this video…the world needs a Marvelous 3/Butch Walker True Story. Make it happen!
Hell yeah.
The Marvelous 3 story is easy. They signed a shitty deal with a greedy record label, made 3 albums and they were awesome. Couldn't get out of the record deal and decided to split ways rather than give the label another dime.
@@ChristopherAkers1982Well that and the whole SouthGang through the Floyds era before they became M3. And Butch’s crazy career afterwards. All under appreciated.
UFO with SPECIAL GUEST IRON MAIDEN what a time to be alive :)
Yes!
UFO is great but a weird name for a band ..
I’m currently reading Pete Way’s book. Former bassist for UFO
That was the time for metal music 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
@@mcraft2240He has a book???
I remember when "My Own Worst Enemy" came out. I have always been fascinated by the guitar riff in that song. Objectively speaking, it is not a pretty riff. It is very abrasive, but at the same time, it is irresistibly catchy. It just gets stuck in your head. It is a really simple, but unique riff.
Thanks for the video!! I recall you said it was coming. Great stuff. Be well.
You bet! I always listen to suggestions and topics people request, just sometimes takes some time to publish the videos
Im 39 and Lit is still once of my favorite bands. I listen weekly.
Lit brings back one of the best memories of my life with my best mate and 2 girls in our local metal club The Palace on Aberdeen. What makes music so powerful
If you have a chance to see Lit live, do it. Fantastic live band. 🤘😎🤘
'Over my Head' from the Titan A.E. Soundtrack was another great from Lit.
I saw these guys at Hurricanes in Mission Beach back in the late 90's. This was a small venue before they hit mainstream and I remember the guitarist having these glowing eyes. They were one of my favorite bands back then.
A place in the sun is one of my biggest guilty pleasures.. if there’s such a thing as a guilty pleasure 😅 it’s a perfect pop rock record. Always gets spun when the summer arrives ❤️ Great video. I’ve never really thought about reading up about the band. Been listening since 1999ish and found this very interesting. Have a beautiful day folks ❤
I live in Laguna Niguel south Orange County California and yeah the guys are awesome. Never got the notoriety they deserved.
Must be nice
This is a great video
I saw Lit in like 2018 open for Everclear and like most people only knew a couple of their singles. Despite that they were able to keep the crowd interested and played a great show. I was so impressed.
On this note, I just want to say: Your videos are LIT
Thanks!
Great band! All their albums are good too!!!
They are also the lead bumper music for the Clay and Buck show. It is so awesome to hear that guitar solo every morning at 9:06 when the show starts. I love it!
I love the album overall that song came from... just a great slice of late 90's summery alternative/pop punk
Thank you for sharing this story! ✌🏼😊
When I was living in Vegas I had the privilege of meeting these guys after a show they did in late 2003 at Mandalay Bay by the bar in the casino across from House Of Blues. During the show I caught Allen's drumsticks and had them on me. I saw them at the bar after the show, showed them, and they bought me a drink. Literally the most nice, non egotistical guys ever. I still to this day have those drumsticks stored in my attic.
Had some interaction with the boys in LA. All great guys. Al was a good man. Love them forever.❤😊
Lit was one of the bands that was always in our cd players, whether their first album, or mix burned CD’s we made. Great memories of driving around my Mitsubishi Eclipse and winding up the turbo, blasting down the road with My Own Worst Enemy on the speakers!! Miss those days
Loved their first Album
Fullerton CA Represent!!!
PIECES OF VINYL 😂😂😂
You’re a real one, my man
I saw lit open for silverchair at the warehouse in Toronto. I was right in the front. Those memories never left my head. It was epic for me at that time. I still find myself listening to there tunes. Lol
My 12 year old sings it out loud when I play it in the car here in italy. The band lives on
What happened to the drummer Big Al was tragic but I wouldn't say the story of the band is tragic. They are legends
Godspeed brother 🖤
Saw em in 99 at warped tour phoenix sounded amazing live
I LOVE that song SO MUCH. I own their entire discography now.
Several requests for this band so throw your requests here. also who had the foresight to call the band Lit?
My list:
Tantric
Hot Action Cop
Cold
Tool
Mountain
Thin Lizzy
Creed
CAKE
Methods of mayhem, that Tommy Lee project!
Hey... Since in this video, you spoke of one of my all time favorite bands...
Zebrahead
The great MFZB
That'd be AMAZING
No song symbolizes Southern California life better than this one. The guitar intro brings me straight to driving down the 405 in OC headed to Trestles or Newport or Ensenada for spring break. "I DIDN'T MEAN TO CALL YOU FAT!"
I knew Alan and went to high school with him. He was a nice guy.
I remember seeing them in Hollywood when they were still called Razzle. Saw them again as Lit and knew they were destined for success.
Lit's most recent album is a banger! Lots of great hooks on it
A Place in the Sun was the first CD I had as a kid (it was technically Warped Tour 96, but that CD broke in my pocket on the way home from my friends house) My good friend at the time gave it to me for free and the album takes me right back to 99 - Early 2000s
Cool band! 🤘😎
Saw them live in Daytona at a NASCAR race. Stellar show, this song live was Amazing.
Great video. Had no idea of the onion that was Lit.
Miserable is an underrated single from that album, but I’ve called My Own Worst Enemy” as my personal theme song from the very first time I heard it. Good stuff!!!
I just saw them live the other month! They're still getting around and they sound great. Tastes Like Gold is a really solid album, too! 🤘
I play guitar off and on and I learned "My Worst Enemy" and played it embarrassingly at my 55th birthday. I'll go in my game room where I have my rig set up, down some beers, turn on the amp, sling on the guitar and jam this song! Oh, by the way! Mr. Jeremy Popoff, you had the best little club in Fullerton,Ca. called the Slide Bar, every Saturday me and the wifey would go and see bands there it was Great! Please, Please reopen it!!!
Times like this is my favorite lit song
Lit is such a great band! Seen them a bunch of times, especially in the early 00's. Remember shows back in the day with openers like Handsome Devil & The Riddlin Kids, good times! I love A Place in the Sun but always felt Atomic was their best release, also enjoyed their most recent release (Tastes Like Gold). Would be cool to see the guys back on Warped Tour for the 30th anniversary this year in Orlando. RIP Allen.
I was at the 1999 warped tour in Houston the summer that song was out. They were playing and not many people were watching them. but when they started that my own worst enemy riff everyone ran over to the stage.
My brother lives in Houston, we go down every year or so to visit
Just missed meeting them at the airport in South Dakota. Playing Riverboat Days tonight in Yankton…might call for a roadtrip!!!
I remember when that song first came out on the radio. Summer 98-99. Good times!
I played my lot cd start to finish on loop over and over for like a year in my ten years... you know when you play a vs so much that when you hear a song from it on the radio you wait for the next song in order to come on...
Great vid! Love to see Mitch Allen true story
Of sr-71? Already did that band
In Atlanta i saw marvelous 3 and butch solo too many times to count. Always a great show. The world needs marvelous 3 now. Ive always loved lit. Ive seen two shows back in the day and they were great.
Butch is amazing. I saw him at Hollywood forever and at slidebar (the popoff bros bar) before it closed down. Always puts on a great show. Agreed on the M3 sentiment too. The newest record was is awesome
My Own Worst Enemy is one of my favorite songs to perform at karaoke.
Saw them last year in Virginia Beach
Their song Zip-Lock always brings me back to the early 2000s
After their drummer passed away they just never sounded the same to me. People think replacing drummers is no biggie, but it changes everything. Drummers are the foundation that everything is built on. I'm still sad about the news of his passing but glad they guys are still out there rocking, he would want his friends/bandmates to keep trucking on.
I loved lit. It’s sad about their drummer but really great they all stuck together until the very end of his life
Ziplock bag is such a great song and their cover of The cures pictures of you. Great band.
I saw them last year in concert they were really good! They opened for everclear.
Atomic was a pretty good follow-up album to A Place in the Sun. I still remember getting Atomic around the time it came out, and it was only around $10.00.
Their manager claimed initially label stickered it $24.99
We are seeing them at the Nascar Coke 400 next week and I am excited for it to be part of the experience
Quick story if anyone is interested. I already knew of Lit as a kid from their mainstream popularity after My Own Worst Emeny". One day at a church sale, I came across a CD called Five Smokin' Tracks from LIT (it was an EP from 1996). Bought it and brought it to my high school freshman music teacher. We were working on making our own music. I chose Fireman by Lit to be my track so my teacher looped the instrumentals for me to add to. Memory that won't leave.
These are the days is such a great album.
Was gonna say…”wait they were LIT AND Staind?!” Lmao
I’ll never forget seeing them open to Eve 6, if I recall correctly. House of blues on sunset. Must’ve been 1999. Lit came out on stage naked during Eve 6s show.
Best rock song ever! Right up there with the Beatles
Sharing with my band. We cover this one.
The last bit about MOWE being played at hockey arenas......I knew it felt like it was more than just a coincidence.
You gotta mention the slidebar the band opened in Fullerton. Closed down a few years ago but great place in DT Fullerton.
RIP Kelly Thomas
In the 2000 Fringe Festival, we did a spoof of them. Not because they're not good, because they were.
They’re song here’s to the night was my grad song
Best summer of my life when this song was out.
I remember seeing Pantera/ Skid Row at Irvine Meadows in 91 I think. They gave me a flyer for a Razzle show.
Miserable is one of my favorite songs ever!!!!
I love this band. Their newest release is a great record.
Best song of summer 1999 …along with RHCP Scar Tissue. Peak American empire
I gotta add Steal My Sunshine (despite being Canadian)
And Pearl Jam “Last Kiss”
Lit is still going strong..playing HFStival in September 2024 at Nationals Park!!
My own worst enemy is undoubtedly a classic, but I absolutely love the song The Last Time Again from the American Pie 2 soundtrack. Such a great song.
About 20 yeara ago maybe, Lit came to NJ and played. After, they ended uo going back to the Avenel Fire Dept. with strippers and partying there after the show. The band and strippers took pictures wearing the gear, the dept got in ALOT of trouble over it!
I always thought their follow up single, "Miserable" was a lot better than "My Own Worst Enemy." Anyone else agree or am I alone with this one? 🤔
I was Orange Country born and raised but I don’t live there now. I remember Jeremy had a bar that was super popular in Fullerton. Had many good times there. I heard it closed during the pandemic.
I love the baba booey reference. 🎸 🤘🏼
Over My Head is still an absolute banger
Yes! Love that song!
Great backing vocal from Steven Tyler on that track
It was a mandatory rule back in the day among my friends that when My Own Worst Enemy came on, we had to jump up and go nuts
Golly, I remember when it came out. I think I gave KROQ most of their listens lol 😅 time flies. ❤
LIT discovered one of the greatest songs of all time is what they did. They are a brave American explorer of rock music, and in this house LIT are heroes- end of story!
MADONE'!!!
😖
Cringe..