CITY FOCUS:Over It likes it over here

After growing up near the water in Virginia, when it came time to relocate to the West Coast, Nick Bailey just knew he had to get a place along the beach.

Eventually, Bailey and his band, Over It, got their home near the ocean in Huntington Beach.

But now, the Virgin recording artists are so busy the avid surfer from Virginia Beach doesn’t have time to hit the waves. Still, when he does get a chance, he’ll get to the water — even if he has to go solo. “I just love getting in the ocean. I’ll go no matter what,” the guitarist said, adding that his favorite spot is at 20th Street and Pacific Coast Highway. Over It, which has recently released their new album “Step Outside Yourself,” is primarily a pop punk band that has just made the jump to a major label. “We’re the smallest band that you’ve never heard of,” said frontman Peter Munters, laughing.

Over It started as a quintet of best friends — including Seth Watts on bass and vocals, and drummer James Ulrich — who have worked together on their music since high school. Guitarist Ryan Ogren is a recent acquisition.

Munters has known Bailey and Ulrich since carpooling in their preschool days.

Their move to the West Coast has paid off, they say. “We thought it was more convenient and a place to center our work and play,” Munters said of the band’s relocation to Huntington Beach.

Although punk rock remains their first love, the band members want to broaden their music horizons.

“We get excited about anything with a good melody, a good beat, a good message. That means anything from classical music to heavy metal to country,” Bailey said.

Josh Stern, a longtime friend of Over It who met them on their first tour, believes the band will meet their goal.

“I feel like the band, as far as what they’ve done in the past, won’t hold a candle to what’s coming out from them in future,” Stern said.

Over It has made its mistakes over the years, but Munters believes they have provided the best education.

“There’s nothing like learning from bad decisions, being in a lot of places and experiences, and do our thing through thick and thin,” Munters said.

Munters, who writes the lyrics for the band, likes to read Nietzsche and other philosophers and writes about them in his songs. “We should all strive to attain the seriousness of children,” he said, quoting Nietzsche.

Despite the dark influence of a philosopher like Nietzsche, the band also takes times to enjoy the simple pleasures.

At the end of a long day or night, the band members like “nothing better than a sunset on the boardwalk,” Munters said.

“Maybe you can catch us there on one of the evenings,” he said, adding Over It hopes one day to perform at the pier for Huntington Beach.

For more information, visit overitonline.com or at myspace.com/overit.