Plain White T's

Plain White T's are an American pop-rock band formed in Lombard, Illinois, in 1997. The original members were high school friends Tom Higgenson (vocals, guitar), Ken Fletcher (bass), and Dave Tirio (drums). They started by playing in local Chicago clubs and basements, building a following. Early on, Steve Mast joined as a fourth member, playing lead guitar and providing backing vocals.

Career Breakthrough

The band's early years were marked by relentless touring and independent releases, including "Come on Over" (2000) and "Stop" (2002). A significant lineup change occurred after the release of "Stop," with Tim Lopez (lead guitar), Mike Retondo (bass), and De'Mar Hamilton (drums) joining, and Dave Tirio switching to rhythm guitar. Their 2005 album, "All That We Needed," released on Fearless Records, featured the original version of their future hit song, "Hey There Delilah."

The band's major breakthrough came with their album "Every Second Counts" in 2006, released after signing with Hollywood Records. A re-released version of "Hey There Delilah" with a string arrangement became a massive international hit in 2007, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. This success earned the band two Grammy nominations for Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 2008.

Subsequent Success and Musical Style

Following the success of "Hey There Delilah," Plain White T's continued to release popular music. Their 2008 album, "Big Bad World," featured the hit singles "1, 2, 3, 4" and "Natural Disaster." The song "Rhythm of Love" from their 2010 album "Wonders of the Younger" also became a certified platinum hit. The band's sound is generally characterized as pop-rock and pop-punk, with a strong emphasis on melodic hooks and heartfelt lyrics.

Recent Years

The band has continued to tour and release new music. They released the album "American Nights" in 2015 and "Parallel Universe" in 2018. In October 2020, founding member Dave Tirio departed from the band, leaving Tom Higgenson as the sole original member. Their latest self-titled studio album, "Plain White T's," was released on November 17, 2023.

Discography

Studio Albums

- Come On Over (2000)
- Stop (2002)
- All That We Needed (2005)
- Every Second Counts (2006)
- Big Bad World (2008)
- Wonders of the Younger (2010)
- American Nights (2015)
- Parallel Universe (2018)
- Plain White T's (2023)