They are a dance-rock-pop-punk band from Chicago, IL. Like their contemporaries in bands like Fall Out Boy, Alkaline Trio, and Spitalfield, theAUDITION sings songs full of melody and catchy choruses that evoke dancing and singing along from even the most jaded of listeners. Their Victory Records debut album, Controversy Loves Company, is full of infectious songs that are upbeat and heartfelt. This is the band and the album that will finally reinvent the phrase "pop-punk." theAUDITION is here to take the scene to the next level. Believe the hype!

theAUDITION was formed in 2003 in the suburbs of Chicago by Ryan O'Connor (drums) and Joe Lussa (bass) who both shared a common love for music and the desire to tour. The band went through the usual baby band lineup changes, then added Seth Johnson on guitar and started playing local shows alongside bands like June and The Academy Is…with fans being immediately excited by theAUDITION. With a new demo in hand and half a year's worth of local touring accomplished, theAUDITION was discovered by like-minded local label Victory Records and immediately signed a record deal. A month after signing, theAUDITION lost their original singer and was on the search for a replacement. The band found a soulmate in Danny Stevens, who came straight out of motor city: Detroit, Michigan. Ryan spoke of Danny's inception in the band, saying, "I made some calls to a few people I knew and the one person I really connected with was Danny. We both shared the same passion for music and after writing 'You've Made Us Conscious,' we knew that he was meant to be in theAUDITION."

In the spring of 2005, theAUDITION recorded their Victory debut, Controversy Loves Company, at Nada Studios in New Windsor, NY in just over a month. theAUDITION chose to work with producer John Naclerio due to his great reputation and his past work with bands like My Chemical Romance, Senses Fail, and Brand New. Ryan said of the recording experience: "Recording Controversy was one of the best experiences of my life. John Naclerio is a great guy and is amazing at what he does. Being the first time in a real studio, everyone was a little nervous about what to expect but John made everyone comfortable and that helped us all with making the record we wanted to make." Controversy Loves Company is full of hook-laden pop songs about real life situations that people can relate to: be it lost love, the frustrations of growing up, or being away from home. And whether Controversy Loves Company is musical therapy or background music to a party, fans can walk away with a sense of honesty and truth after listening.

After their recording debut was completed, theAUDITION added Timmy Klepek as an additional guitar player and all the puzzle pieces were finally together. "We've been through a lot in a short amount of time and I really believe that's why it makes us so tight as a group. We believe in each other and all share the same dream," said Ryan. theAUDITION headed out on the New Faces From Different Places tour his past summer with labelmates The Hurt Process, The Junior Varsity and Aiden and their national buzz started, with the local Chicago scene stewing in anticipation for theAUDITION's record release.