The All American Rejects formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 2001. While working as a bouncer at a gig for Nick Wheelers band, Tyson Ritter happened to notice that his band lacked a bass player. Ritter told Wheeler after the gig that he could play and asked if he could join his band. Problem was Ritter didn’t know how to play and had to learn the instrument in a hurry as Wheeler had told him he could join. Ritter and Wheeler went on to start their own band and the next year the addition of Mike Kennety (guitar), Chris Gaylor (Drums) and Nathan Brindley (Keyboards) completed the group and this lineup still is current today.
Recording their first album in 2001 “The All American Rejects” the band had minor success when single “Swing Swing” peaked at No.60 on the Billboard Hot 100. Somewhat buoyed by limited success and a growing fanbase the band embarked on recording their second album “Move Along” and this bought the them much more recognition and success with three singles performing well on the charts, “It Ends Tonight” and “Dirty Little Secret” hit the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 while “Move Along” peaked at No.15.
The release of their next album catapulted them on the world stage as well as increasing their fan base at home with the first single “Gives You Hell” peaking at Number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Number 2 on Pop 100 charts, as well as in the top twenty of the UK Singles chart and number three on the Australian ARIA Singles chart.
The All American Rejects have progressively climbed up the charts and gained many fans during the past eight years with their catchy, punk fuelled anthems and fun filled live performances. If the climb continues they look set to go down in the annuals of the American Punk Movement as one of the major players.
