2000 - Stillwater, Oklahoma.
- Tyson Ritter - Vocals, Bass
- Nick Wheeler - Guitars, Keyboards, Programming, Vocals
- Mike Kennerty - Guitar
- Chris Gaylor - Drums
In an interview with Aversion.com: "We're just doing what we know. If people think it's awesome, then sweet."
Tyson Ritter and Nick Wheeler, the core of All-American Rejects, both had dreams of performing music at an early age. Ritter started playing music when he was 12 and Wheeler had a guitar at age 7. The pair decided to put together a band when they were both in high school. In the summer of 2001, when Ritter was 17 and Wheeler 18, All-American Rejects released the EP Same Girl, New Songs . They set out on tour playing shows across the Midwest.
Tyson Ritter's favorite band as a child was AC/DC. He liked to jump on the table in his pajamas and pretend he was Bon Scott.
By the end of All-American Rejects' touring in support of Same Girl, New Songs, they had a record contract with the independent label Doghouse Records. After working with producer Tim O'Heir, the album All-American Rejects was released in October, 2002. On the strength of the top 10 modern rock single "Swing, Swing" and the appeal of the band's looks for teen girls, the album eventually reached the top 25 of the album chart in 2003.
All-American Rejects' next album Move Along appeared on Interscope Records in 2005. Critics complained that it sold out to a mainstream pop audience, but the album opened on the charts at #6. The first single "Dirty Little Secret" hit the top 10 of the pop singles chart. The music video for the song featured content from the web project PostSecret. The album's second single "Move Along" has become another major radio hit.
