A home-based band from Stillwater, Okalahoma, The All American Rejects are fast becoming a well known name in the pop-punk and slightly looser based emo world. Comprised of 18 year old Tyson Ritter, 21 year old Nick Wheeler, 23 year old Mike Kennerty and 24 year old Chris Gaylor, they burst out into the world with the hit Swing, Swing. Hitting the charts at number 25, their album debuted in October of 2003, with their single, Swing, Swing as number 3.

Nick and Tyson both grew up in Stillwater, often passing each other in the halls but never noticing the other. Music was the biggest lure for Tyson, whos dad would let him stay up late watching rock videos and jumping around to AC/DC. Meanwhile, Nick was getting into Def Leppord, Bon Jovi and Posion, through his older sisters music collection. He moved through punk and eventually into grunge. Both played the guitar and Nick soon added drums and piano.

Each played in bands in junior high and into high school but their paths didnt cross until one night when Nicks band was doing a gig at a party which Tyson was at. It only took a moment for him to decide that he had to join the band, even if it meant lying just a little.

We didnt have a bass player at the time, Nick recalls, and when Tyson realized that, he was like, Hey, I play bass! Except, hed never played bass in his life.

I went right out, got a bass and learned how to play, says Tyson. I stayed inside the whole winter break until I could come out and join the band.

Over the next few years, as Tyson and Nick began to write songs and form the melodies, the members of Nicks orginial band eventually went their separate ways. During their high school years, they composed the songs Dont Leave Me, and One More Sad Song. Tyson says, That when the when he and Nick were the only ones left, thats when the best stuff began to happen.

They locked onto a songwriting method that has worked for them ever since they started out as only two. Tyson composes the melodies, then Nick adds in the guitar riffs. The subjects of the songs generally come from real life: It all comes from my ex-girlfriends, Tyson states. All my songs are about simple relationship bullshit. Youve pretty much every fucked up thing that can happen.

The two began cutting demos in high school, so they had plenty to chose from when they went to the studio to lay down the All American Rejects with producer Tim OHeir. They eventually joined up with Mike Kennerty, who plays guitar and also sings back-up and Chris Gaylor, the drummer for the band.

Its clear that the once home-based band of AAR is headed for greatness. With emotion filled lyrics sung by Tyson and backed up by Nick and Mike, combined with haunting guitar and bass riffs and the head-banging drums of Chris, they arent disappearing anytime soon.