Chicago has spawned yet another pop phenomenon in The White Tie Affair.  Together only since 2006, TWTA have had quite the road to stardom.  Already having signed with Epic records, having their video for the insanely catchy single "Allow Me To Introduce Myself.. Mr. Right" debuted on No Good TV and even landing an opening slot for Sean Kingston, the band seems to be on the path to overwhelming success.  Sadly, with such a quick rise to the top comes a backlash of hater comments, message boards filled with music think-they-know-it-all's opinions and fielding questions about their quick journey.  TWTA try not to pay attention to the hating, because honestly, bad press is better than no press at all, right?  "Yeah, check out this terrible band," says lead singer Chris Wallace, "We'll be that band."

TWTA are quite the opposite of "terrible."  Their blend of sugary pop-rock mixed with danceable synthetic beats has had them compared to bands like Fall Out Boy to even HelloGoodbye.  Hell, the band's recent debut entitled Walk This Way, nods could even be made to Michael Jackson.  Before he became creepy of course.

Simply put, if TWTA don't become superstars, there's no justice in today's musical world.

Popular Underground Magazine (PUM): In watching your videos / video blogs, it looks like you like to have your fun. That's obviously heard thematically in your music, so that said, what is the driving force behind The White Tie Affair?

 

The White Tie Affair (TWTA): We have always said that we want to cheer up everyone's bad days and be the sound track to your good ones. That is kinda the mission statement of TWTA. We have all gone through some really rough shit in our lives and writing music helped us get through most of it. We want kids to be able to put our album on or come to show and forget their problems for a while.

 

PUM: What are your ultimate goals for the band?

 

TWTA: To keep you dancing for the next 15 years. To help out new bands that aren't being accepted by a scene, but are still talented.

 

PUM: Tell me a little bit about the recording process of Walk This Way. Was it difficult to bring all of the music components together?

 

TWTA: We spent a lot of time perfecting our demos. Sean built a studio in his garage and we would lock ourselves in there for days at a time. The Wired all Wrong guys helped us to fine tune everything in a more professional sounding way and the result was Walk This Way.

 

PUM: How instrumental has Chicago been to what you've achieved thus far?

 

TWTA: Very. The city and its surrounding area has inspired us. As well as the scene and the bands we would go see growing up.

 

PUM: I read in a prior interview that you guys played with Sean Kingston. What was that like?

 

TWTA: It was fun. It was at a McDonalds live event in Chicago and I guess they canceled Twista's performance because of his lyrics or something so we got in there real last minute. It went over really well. There are some fun videos of it on YouTube.

 

PUM: I've seen in message boards people already knocking your band because of getting signed so quickly, recording fast and taking on some large tours. What do you say to people who make those comments?

 

TWTA: Talk your shit. We love it. It motivates us. We work hard every day and we know we are earning our stripes.

 

PUM: 2008 looks like it's going to be a pretty busy year with touring and promoting the record. Is there anything else on the horizon for TWTA?

 

TWTA: We are never going home. We also want to find some young bands to work with. We also aim to defeat We The Kings in a beach volley ball game.

 

By: Adam K. Zakroczymski III - Senior Editor / Founder

Check out our review of Walk This Way HERE!