Dot Dot Dot succeeding on its own terms

Dot Dot Dot, a synth-pop band with roots in the suburbs, could be the ultimate 21st century rock 'n' roll story.

The band first generated buzz after making the finals of a reality show called "The Next Great American Band" in 2007. Then the group started releasing original songs online and touring relentlessly all over the Midwest and beyond. Finally, Dot Dot Dot landed a deal with Party City, which is using the song "Party Goes On" in its television ads.

The result? Dot Dot Dot's first EP, called "1," is getting college and satellite radio play, and has charted on the College Music Journal Top 200. All this without a record label, agents or any of the other traditional trappings of the music business.

"Right now, we're doing what a label would do," said the group's bassist, Wood Dale native and Fenton High School graduate Little Lisa. "No one's taking care of us, so we have to do it. We're releasing the music the way we want."

And having a great time doing it, Lisa says. The band's hectic touring schedule can be overwhelming at times, but the fun they all have on stage helps make up for it, she said. The band will play at John Barleycorn in Schaumburg on Saturday.

"It's such a party when we all get together and play," Lisa said. "And audiences really seem to have a great time at our shows. That's what it's all about."

Little Lisa, a self-described music junkie who devours everything from 1950s pop to today's indie rock, had been playing in a cover band three years ago when Libertyville native Adam Blair recruited her to join him in a new band that would do original material.

And so, Dot Dot Dot was born. The band started to develop its sound, which is like the soundtrack to all the cool and/or romantic parts of 1980s John Hughes movies - lots of synthesizer, lots of irresistible dance beats, lots of soulful vocals from Blair, the group's main songwriter.

The group decided to send a tape of their songs to the producers of "The Next Great American Band," an "American Idol"-style reality show on Fox. The producers flipped, Lisa says.

"That whole experience was amazing," she said. "It was like spending time at the most awesome band camp."

Despite the boost in national attention the show brought Dot Dot Dot, it didn't change the band in any fundamental way, Lisa said.

"We came home from that experience and it was like, OK, back to work," she said. "It was incredible for us, but it doesn't define us."

The group continued to play live wherever it could, and put out "1," a five-song album, the first of three EPs the group plans to release. The next is due in late spring or early summer.

"We decided to release music as we go, so that fans can get it right away," Lisa said. "It also helps keep us out there. It would be a much longer time without any new music from us if we waited to put out a full-length record."

So what should fans expect from Saturday's show in Schaumburg?

"Get ready to forget about everything that's bugging you," Lisa said. "Get ready to have fun and dance and party. That's what we want, and that's what we try to deliver."

Dot Dot Dot

When: 10 p.m. Friday, March 12

Where: John Barleycorn, 1100 American Lane, Schaumburg

Tickets: $10, available at the door