All American Rejects Biography

The All-American Rejects, often abbreviated as AAR, is an American rock band formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 1999 by high school students Tyson Ritter and Nick Wheeler. Shortly after their formation, they were joined by guitarist Mike Kennerty and drummer Chris Gaylor. The band released their self-titled demo and a follow-up demo, "Same Girl, New Songs", which generated interest from record labels. By 2001, they signed their first major label deal and released their self-titled debut album in 2002.

The band's first major release, "The All-American Rejects", was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and featured hit singles such as "Swing, Swing," which reached the top of the charts. Their second album, "Move Along", released in 2005, continued this trend of success, yielding popular tracks like "Dirty Little Secret," "Move Along," and "It Ends Tonight," all of which charted in the top fifteen of the Billboard Hot 100. "Move Along" was later certified triple platinum by the RIAA in 2024.

In 2008, "When the World Comes Down" was released and achieved platinum certification as well. Its lead single, "Gives You Hell," became the band’s most successful song, reaching number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a 9× multi-platinum certification in 2024. The band's fourth studio album, "Kids in the Street", released in 2012, debuted at number 18 on the US Billboard 200.

Throughout their career, the All-American Rejects have also integrated their music into film and television, with notable appearances in movies such as "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" and "The House Bunny". They were also pioneers in music history, performing at the MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia, the first event of its kind in Asia.

With over 12 million albums sold worldwide, the All-American Rejects have maintained a significant presence in the music scene. After a period of studio work in 2016 and 2017, the band signed with Epitaph Records and released new singles, including "There's a Place" in 2015 and "Send Her to Heaven" in 2019.

Despite ongoing touring and new releases, the band's future recording plans remain uncertain. In 2020, Tyson Ritter expressed that it was unlikely they would produce another album, suggesting that other projects have taken precedence. They have since released a collection of fan favorites titled "Rejects Faves" and contributed to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund with their single "Me Vs. The World."

The All-American Rejects remain active, having participated in the When We Were Young Festival in 2022 and planning to return for the 2024 event, although they backed out in October 2023 due to management changes. In August 2024, they teased a new song, a cover of "Flagpole Sitta” by Harvey Danger, set for release in September.