Plain White T's

  • Chicago, IL
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  • Rock
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  • 1997
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About Plain White T's


Hailing from the suburbs of Chicago, the punk-pop outfit Plain White T's began taking shape in 1997, a full ten years before the acoustic ballad "Hey There Delilah" made them Grammy-nominated stars. Lead singer Tom Higgenson was originally fascinated with the drums, having served as the percussionist for various rock bands during high school. One such band was Harvey's Daughter, whose lineup also featured bass player Ken Fletcher. Although the group disbanded, the two remained friends and quickly launched a different band, with Higgenson taking over lead duties as songwriter and singer. Drummer Dave Tirio also joined the new lineup, bringing Plain White T's to fruition during the fall of 1997.

Performances in various Chicago clubs earned the band a small but devout following. In the summer of 1999, Higgenson was nearly killed in a car accident; the crash resulted in a ruptured kidney and lacerated lung. However, the event also left him with a newfound dedication to songwriting, and the band began making quick progress as a result, self-releasing Come on Over in 2001 and signing with Fearless Records for the release of Stop in 2002. Although plagued by lineup shifts during the supporting tour, Plain White T's still found time to record All That We Needed, which hit shelves in early 2005. By that point, the band's roster had solidified with a lineup comprised of vocalist Higgenson, guitarists Tirio and Tim Lopez, drummer De'Mar Hamilton, and bassist Mike Retondo. The band then participated in the 2005 Take Action tour alongside groups like Sugarcult and Head Automatica before joining up with Motion City Soundtrack for tour dates in 2006. The enhanced EP Hey There Delilah was released that May, containing versions of the titular ballad (originally issued on All That We Needed), along with four new songs and music videos.

The band's work ethic and promising songcraft earned Plain White T's a new contract with Hollywood Records, and Every Second Counts, their hook-laden debut for the label, appeared in September 2006. The band returned to the road soon after, but fortunes improved as "Hey There Delilah" gathered steam on radio stations across the U.S. By the following summer, the song had topped the charts in ten different countries and helped jump-start sales of Every Second Counts (which, incidentally, only featured "Hey There Delilah" in enhanced versions of the record). Plain White T's received two Grammy nominations for the song, and the band returned in 2008 with Big Bad World -- a return-to-form effort featuring the band's usual mix of spunky energy and pop/rock craft.

In 2010, Plain White T's released the song "The Rhythm of Love," featuring lead vocals from guitarist Tim Lopez. Built upon a laid-back acoustic sound, it was the first single from the band's sixth studio album, The Wonders of the Younger, which was released that December. ~ Jason MacNeil & Andrew Leahey, Rovi

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Music

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  • Should've Gone To Bed
    plain-white-ts
    Video
    Should've Gone To Bed
  • Should've Gone to Bed (Lyric)
    plain-white-ts
    Video
    Should've Gone to Bed (Lyric)
  • Plain White T's Perform 'Should've Gone To Bed'
    plain-white-ts
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    Plain White T's Perform 'Should've Gone To Bed'
  • Should've Gone to Bed (Audio)
    plain-white-ts
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    Should've Gone to Bed (Audio)
  • Pet Sematary (Frankenweenie)
    plain-white-ts
    Video
    Pet Sematary (Frankenweenie)
  • Boomerang
    plain-white-ts
    Video
    Boomerang
  • Making A Memory
    plain-white-ts
    Video
    Making A Memory
  • Figure It Out
    plain-white-ts
    Video
    Figure It Out
  • 1, 2, 3, 4
    plain-white-ts
    Video
    1, 2, 3, 4
  • Rhythm of Love
    plain-white-ts
    Video
    Rhythm of Love

Interviews & Exclusives

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  • Tim Lopez On Getting Crap From The Plain White T's
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    Tim Lopez On Getting Crap From The Plain White T's
  • Plain White T's On Their Start And More
    plain-white-ts
    playlist
    Plain White T's On Their Start And More
  • Plain White T's On 'Hey There Delilah" And Their Time In Germany
    plain-white-ts
    playlist
    Plain White T's On 'Hey There Delilah" And Their Time In Germany
  • Buzzworthy Blog Exclusive: Plain White T's Tour Diary, Part 3
    plain-white-ts
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    Buzzworthy Blog Exclusive: Plain White T's Tour Diary, Part 3
  • VH1 News - Plain White T's Behind the Scenes of "Boomerang"
    plain-white-ts
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    VH1 News - Plain White T's Behind the Scenes of "Boomerang"
  • VH1 News: Plain White T's Get Nostalgic on Upcoming Disc 'Wonders of the Younger'
    plain-white-ts
    video
    VH1 News: Plain White T's Get Nostalgic on Upcoming Disc 'Wonders of the Younger'
  • Plain White T's On The Best Concerts They've Ever Seen.
    plain-white-ts
    video
    Plain White T's On The Best Concerts They've Ever Seen.
  • 5 Questions: Plain White T's
    plain-white-ts
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    5 Questions: Plain White T's
  • Plain White T's On The Best TV Show Ever.
    plain-white-ts
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    Plain White T's On The Best TV Show Ever.
  • Plain White T's On The Perfect Vacation.
    plain-white-ts
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    Plain White T's On The Perfect Vacation.

Photos

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  • Members of the band Plain White T's accept the Road Woodie award onstage at the 2006 mtvU Woodie Awards at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City.
    Plain White T's
    Members of the band Plain White T's accept the Road Woodie award onstage at the 2006 mtvU Woodie Awards at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City.
    Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
  • Members of the band Plain White T's on the red carpet at the 2006 mtvU Woodie Awards in New York City.
    Plain White T's
    Members of the band Plain White T's on the red carpet at the 2006 mtvU Woodie Awards in New York City.
    Jamie McCarthy/WireImage
  • Members of the band Plain White T's on the red carpet at the 2006 mtvU Woodie Awards in New York City.
    Plain White T's
    Members of the band Plain White T's on the red carpet at the 2006 mtvU Woodie Awards in New York City.
    Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
  • Plain White T's on VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown
    Plain White T's
    Plain White T's on VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown
    Frank Roldan/VH1
  • Plain White T's on VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown
    Plain White T's
    Plain White T's on VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown
    Frank Roldan/VH1
  • The Plain White Ts stop by to sit down with Sue and talk about their tour.
    Plain White T's
    The Plain White Ts stop by to sit down with Sue and talk about their tour.
    MTV
  • Tom Higgenson, De'Mar Hamilton, Tim Lopez, Dave Tirio and Mike Retondo of Plain White T's on the red carpet at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards in Hollywood. <MTVNLINK type=&quot;url&quot; id=&quot;http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1593811&quot;>Watch 2008 MTV VMA red carpet interviews.</MTVNLINK>
    Plain White T's
    Tom Higgenson, De'Mar Hamilton, Tim Lopez, Dave Tirio and Mike Retondo of Plain White T's on the red carpet at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards in Hollywood. Watch 2008 MTV VMA red carpet interviews.
    Wire Image
  • The Plain White T's Tom Higgenson with a fan
    Plain White T's
    The Plain White T's Tom Higgenson with a fan
    Verizon Wireless users for MTV News
  • The Plain White T's Dave Tirio with fans
    Plain White T's
    The Plain White T's Dave Tirio with fans
    Verizon Wireless users for MTV News
  • Plain White T's

News

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  • Plain White T's
    NECA Releasing 'The Simpsons' Guest Stars Action Figures? Here's Our Wish-List
    MTV Geek
    June 18, 2013
    Woo-Hoo! NECA has just announced a collaboration with 20th Century Fox to put out a limited set of figures celebrating classic guest stars on Fox's...
    Read More
  • Plain White T's
    Beyonce And Jay-Z Show Us How To Be An Adorable Coordinating Couple At 40/40 Anniversary Party
    MTV Style
    June 18, 2013
    Beyonce and Jay-Z at the 40/40 Club 10 Year Anniversary party in New York on June 17. Photo: Getty Images All together now: awwwww! Beyonce and ...
    Read More
  • Plain White T's
    James LaRosa On Hit The Floor Episode Four's Full-Blown Watergasm
    VH1 Blog
    June 18, 2013
    This week's episode of Hit The Floor Ahsha learned how to be sexy ( in front of a camera ) and we learned a little bit more about our friend De...
    Read More
  • Plain White T's
    Chris Claremont's 'Marada The She-Wolf' Gets A Deluxe Collection
    MTV Geek
    June 18, 2013
    Marada The She-Wolf fans, your day has come! The classic series by Chris Claremont and John Bolton is getting collected under one, tentacle heavy ro...
    Read More
  • Plain White T's
    'The Amazing Spider-Man 2': Is Felicity Jones Playing Black Cat?
    Splash Page
    June 18, 2013
    by Brett White " The Amazing Spider-Man 2 " may already have a packed cast, with Mary Jane Watson, Electro, the Rhino, Norman and Harry Osborn all p...
    Read More
  • Plain White T's
    The Civil Wars’ New Video Signals an Uneasy Truce
    CMT Edge
    June 18, 2013
    John Paul White and Joy Williams of the Civil Wars abruptly stopped touring last November, so it’s been a while since fans have heard from them. “Th...
    Read More
  • Plain White T's
    Miss USA Income Inequality Snafu: Three Answers She Could Have Given
    MTV Act
    June 18, 2013
    We all have cringe-worthy moments, but most of ours don’t play out on live television for millions of people to see. In the question and answer portio...
    Read More
  • Plain White T's
    Justice League Save The Day In New Target Spot
    Splash Page
    June 18, 2013
    by Brett White Fans eagerly awaiting a " Justice League " adaptation will be pleased to know that they don't have to wait anymore! That is, if your ...
    Read More
  • Plain White T's
    J. Cole Goes Through Hell And Back On 'Born Sinner' Album
    MTV News
    June 18, 2013
    Promising that 'it's way darker this time,' Cole uses his sophomore album to tell a personal story of sin and redemption.
    Read More
  • Plain White T's
    J. Cole Goes Through Hell And Back On 'Born Sinner' Album
    MTV News
    June 18, 2013
    Promising that 'it's way darker this time,' Cole uses his sophomore album to tell a personal story of sin and redemption.
    Read More
  • Plain White T's
    Plain White T's Plot 'Big, Bad' New Album
    www.billboard.com
    "All-inclusive" is how Plain White T's singer Tom Higgenson describes the band's new studio album, "Big Bad World," due Sept. 23 via Hollywood Records...
    Read More
  • Plain White T's
    Plain White T's try to conquer 'Big Bad World'
    music.yahoo.com
    band he met a decade ago that had ... potential, but needed practice. Payne has hosted a local music show on Chicago's alternative radio station Q101 ...
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  • Plain White T's
    Plain White T's Reveal 'Big, Bad' Track List
    www.billboard.com
    and is kind of in a way a songwriting celebration from the '50s and '60s."The Chicago-based band also will give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the r...
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  • Plain White T's
    Plain White T's Morph Into 'Ultimate Band'
    www.billboard.com
    Plain White T's is teaming with Disney Interactive Studios' (DIS) "Ultimate Band" game for the Nintendo Wii and DS platforms. The group is featured on...
    Read More
  • Plain White T's
    Plain White T's Take Three Part Harmony On The Road
    www.billboard.com
    songs joined ... skill. That's the idea, at least. Hopefully people will get it." Three Part Harmony is Plain White T's most extensive headlining run ...
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  • Plain White T's
    Plain White T's Aim For the Small Screen | Billboard.com
    www.billboard.com
    Plain White T's frontman Tom Higgenson has gotten a lot of mileage out of a crush. While most people resort to stalking on Facebook to pursue the one ...
    Read More
  • Plain White T's
    Free2Rock Announces Limited Edition T-Shirt Run Featuring Plain White T's
    Paste
    program. Free2Rock features collaborations between bands and Not for Sale to produce limited edition t-shirts. All of the proceeds from the t-shirts g...
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Tour Dates

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  • Jun 22 Saturday
    Chicago, IL, US Lincoln Park Zoo
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 28 Friday
    Denver, CO, US The Tavern Downtown
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 16 Tuesday
    Minneapolis, MN, US Varsity Theater
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 17 Wednesday
    Des Moines, IA, US Wooly's
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 18 Thursday
    Omaha, NE, US The Waiting Room Lounge
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 20 Saturday
    Milwaukee, WI, US Unknown venue
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 22 Monday
    St Louis, MO, US Firebird
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 23 Tuesday
    Indianapolis, IN, US Deluxe at the Amber Room, Old National Centre
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 24 Wednesday
    Cincinnati, OH, US 20th Century Theatre
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 26 Friday
    Atlantic City, NJ, US The Social at Revel Beach
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 28 Sunday
    Boston, MA, US Paradise Rock Club
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 29 Monday
    Washington, DC, US 9:30 Club
    Buy Ticket
  • Jul 31 Wednesday
    Atlanta, GA, US Atlanta Room, Smith's Olde Bar
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 1 Thursday
    New Orleans, LA, US House of Blues
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 5 Monday
    Colorado Springs, CO, US Black Sheep
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 6 Tuesday
    Denver, CO, US Summit Music Hall
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 12 Monday
    Solana Beach, CA, US Belly Up Tavern
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 13 Tuesday
    Solana Beach, CA, US Belly Up Tavern
    Buy Ticket
  • Sep 23 Monday
    Yakima, WA, US Unknown venue
    Buy Ticket

Discography

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  • Wonders of the Younger (2010)
    Plain White T's
    Wonders of the Younger (2010)
  • Live at Shepherds Bush Empire January 30th, 2008 (2009)
    Plain White T's
    Live at Shepherds Bush Empire January 30th, 2008 (2009)
    Hollywood Records (UK)
  • Big Bad World (2008)
    Plain White T's
    Big Bad World (2008)
    Hollywood
  • Every Second Counts (2006)
    Plain White T's
    Every Second Counts (2006)
    Hollywood
  • All That We Needed (2005)
    Plain White T's
    All That We Needed (2005)
    Fearless Records
  • Stop (2002)
    Plain White T's
    Stop (2002)
    Imusic
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