The Audition

A punk-pop/emo hybrid, The Audition formed in 2003, working with a revolving cast of early members to record a demo and begin playing shows around Chicago. In September 2005 the Audition signed with Victory Records releasing their debut album, <a href="spotify:album:63y7SlRNB55XQQf9NkC0nf" data-name="Controversy Loves Company">Controversy Loves Company</a>. By that point, the band&#39;s lineup included singer Danny Stevens, guitarists Seth Johnson &amp; Tim Klepek, bassist Joe Lussa and drummer Ryan O&#39;Connor. The band hit the road for the next two years playing shows alongside artists such as <a href="spotify:artist:0RqtSIYZmd4fiBKVFqyIqD" data-name="Thirty Seconds To Mars">Thirty Seconds To Mars</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4ghjRm4M2vChDfTUycx0Ce" data-name="New Found Glory">New Found Glory</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2cyaobEho8uxhqLxwG7j6i" data-name="Head Automatica">Head Automatica</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:42aeGx2I3uXINpGqC8L0LD" data-name="Jack's Mannequin">Jack's Mannequin</a>.

A sophomore effort, <a href="spotify:album:6POoZnVEetK6ha2zSp1ws1" data-name="Champion">Champion</a>, appeared in 2008 and cracked the Billboard 200 at number 157. <a href="spotify:album:00PSvUy1DSQCnMfe1mDLUZ" data-name="Self-Titled Album">Self-Titled Album</a> marked the band&#39;s third full-length release in 2009, the same year member Joe Lussa left the lineup. Klepek handled bass duties in his absence and the 4-piece lineup made its debut in 2010 with the album, Great Danger. The band left Victory Records in July of 2010 and toured in Australia that fall with <a href="spotify:artist:1kNQXvepPjaPgUfeDAF2h6" data-name="You Me At Six">You Me At Six</a>.

In 2011 original bass player, Joe Lussa, had rejoined the band and original guitarist Seth Johnson had left, to be replaced by Jimmy Lopez. In 2012, the band released the 6-song, <a href="spotify:album:6LWtyIAvdFuaLWKElkLJ9j" data-name="Chapter II">Chapter II</a> independently. After the release they toured with Every Avenue and <a href="spotify:artist:1BSXtdFlVDUOS6g1T3tmME" data-name="We Are The In Crowd">We Are The In Crowd</a> and then with <a href="spotify:album:1qJOmC60ez9RNWPg4ELMBW" data-name="Eve 6">Eve 6</a>. In May 2018, the group reformed with Johnson back on guitar, Jon Sullivan of Jack&#39;s Mannequin on bass and Kevin Sanders of <a href="spotify:artist:6wQMF27xWhSyJFnO9L5mQk" data-name="Cartel">Cartel</a> on drums to perform at Slam Dunk Festival and Riot Fest.