The Office: A Chicago Band Brings Their Catchy Melodies to the Nation

If your like me, your always looking for the next big band - the one your friends haven't caught onto yet and you can plug them into first. You have to catch them when they are still young and scruffy, before any appearances on The View or Carson Daly, and way before they are being dowloaded by your older married brother or sister. So for those of you feeling musically competitive and looking for a hot new sound, let me introduce you to a new band. Ladies and Gentleman, be the first on your block to have the tunes of the future. I give you, the Office.

Originally beginning life as a conceptual art piece, the Office quickly became one of the most sought after bands in Chicago. The darling of all of the local newspapers and the airwaves, their quirky and catchy indie sound is an infectious mix of pop and boy-girl melodies. Nor does it hurt that front man Scott Masson is openly bi, drummer Erika Corniel is a lesbian and they've been DJing and running some of the hottest mixed parties in Illinois. (Who says that everything hip has to come out of New York?) With a wacky diverse sexual line-up, the Office has been able to capture angst, heartbreak, hope and happiness from all over the human perspective. Can't connect with a straight boy crying about a bad girlfriend, no problem. No matter who you are, or where you've been, you'll find something meaningful and thought provoking in the Office's tunes.

Thanks to spot as the "Single of the Week" on iTunes, they began to get some much deserved national attention. Kids all over the country began to turn on to the Office's sounds, and kept tuning in. But listening to the Office on your iPod is only half as much fun as catching them live. The Office has become memorable not only for their ultra-hooky music, but also for their ultra-dapper onstage image. Always dressed to impress, crowds found the Office's suit'n tie look to be as unique and flattering as their sound. "Our attire has nothing to do with our band name," explained front man Scott Masson. "We hold the belief that if you're getting up in front of people to spout off a bunch of information, then you should look your best in the process. Anybody who think it's a 'shtick' has obviously never been to a serious job interview before. Every show we play is a job interview."

Good advice, apparently, because The Office certainly keeps getting hired. After selling out all of their local shows, jamming at the hip South by Southwest Music Festival in Texas and playing at 2006's Lollapalooza, global domination has become the next obvious step for this smart ensemble. Signing with upstart Scratchie Records, the band released "A Night at The Ritz" in late September, which includes several reincarnations of their older songs, all remastered for your (possibly) virgin ears. In addition, brand new songs "The Ritz" and "Paralyzed Prince" will make their debut. To support their album, the Office is rolling throw several cities across the country. When they breeze through your 'burgh, make a trip out to see them. You don't have to dress up as fancy as they do, but it doesn't hurt.