When Train performed their hit "Drops of Jupiter" in front of a critical Grammy audience in 2002 , they trumped U2's "Elevation" and "Walk On," Coldplay's "Yellow," and Aerosmith's "Jaded" - taking home the award for Best Rock Song. The only way I expected anyone would see this talent perform in the future was through binoculars in a huge stadium.

Not the case this rainy night in Portland, as the band seems to prefer the more intimate settings of the smaller venues like the Crystal Ballroom despite their popularity. Train came on stage eager to perform to the crowded house with every bit as much energy, passion and musical dexterity as I had seen years ago when they sold out San Francisco's Fillmore. "I haven't been in this kinda mood in three years!" shouted Train frontman, Pat Monahan.

Train is currently on tour supporting their new album, For Me, It's You which showcases a revamped and revitalized lineup: founding core members Pat Monahan, Jimmy Stafford (guitars) and Scott Underwood (drums) have been joined by bassist Johnny Colt (nicknamed "Jimmy Jammer," originally from the Black Crowes), and Atlanta keyboardist Brandon Bush (John Mayer, Shawn Mullins). Johnny and Brandon have both been on-board since Train's 2003 My Private Nation tour.

Monahan has brought a lot of his personal experience--including the pain of divorce, parenthood, and falling into a love that's both real and mature--to the table on For Me, It's You. The 37 year-old charismatic lead singer is literally wearing his heart on his sleeve this tour with a white torn shirt that reads "House of Pain." While his style has been traditionally laid back, Monahan looked every bit the rocker that night with his black spiked hair and striped long sleeves peeking through the shirt emblazoned with this personal moniker.

The band led the crowd through nearly two hours of Train favorites, new material, classic jams and Led Zeppelin covers. Yes - Led Zeppelin. A breath-taking rendition of Going to California silenced the entire room. It is reported that Monahan at one time was a member of a band that played Led Zeppelin covers exclusively. They performed those Zeppelin songs as if they were their own and that suited the mostly male, 40-something audience perfectly.

Train dove into the set playing their anthemic hit, "Meet Virginia" early on, then weaved new material in between their radio-friendly audience favorites "She's On Fire," "Calling All Angels" and "Free."


During "Free", drummer Scott Underwood let fly an inspired and seemingly endless drum solo which gave the band time to slip away for a wardrobe change. Monahan stepped up to the kit and the two had a drum-off before ending the song with the audience chanting "They call me free-eee-eee-eeeeh, but I call me a fool."

During the show, Monahan shared fond memories of touring Portland those early years in a rundown 1987 Dodge Ram minivan and little red trailer. As they closed with the first Aerosmith single ever released, Dream On, I couldn't help but wonder if the guys in that minivan ever dreamed they would achieve the kind of success they have now. That someday, they would have hundreds of thousands of adoring fans, industry accolades, prestigious awards - most importantly, a more comfortable mode of travel!