British band White Lies may take its cues from some of the most influential music of the '80s, but it's no hair band. With influences including Joy Division, Talking Heads and Tears for Fears, White Lies takes the best of the '80s and leaves the rest.

Formed in October 2007 from the ashes of pop-punk act Fear of Flying, White Lies got its start with a first gig at the humble Hoxton's Square Bar and Kitchen ... a first gig that just happened to be stacked with influential A&R executives. After this inaugural performance, record labels came calling and the newly-named group rocketed to the forefront of the U.K.'s musical consciousness: from BBC Radio (who named them one of their artists to watch in their Sound of 2009 feature) to festivals and media this side of the pond (the band is scheduled to perform at this summer's Coachella festival and have been featured on MTV), everyone seems to want a piece of White Lies.

Their sound is unique yet impossible to describe without mentioning the influence of the popular music of the '80s. The group's first release, "To Lose My Life," debuted earlier this year and showcases heavy throwbacks to new wave and '80s alternative rock. From the single-worthy "Death" to fan favorite "EST" (which was featured earlier this year on The CW's hit TV series "Gossip Girl"), "To Lose My Life" sounds like it could be the soundtrack to a Brat Pack movie - "Sixteen Candles", anyone?

Ever since their lighter name and darker sound, White Lies have been gathering momentum. With a first album that skyrocketed to No. 1 on the U.K. charts and recognition from some of the most influential media outlets both at home and abroad (BBC and NME in the U.K. and ... "Gossip Girl" ... in the U.S.), listeners can look forward to great things from Britain's newest '80s act.