- Tyson Ritter, Born: April 24, 1984
- Nick Wheeler, Born: March 20, 1982
- Mike Kennerty, Born: July 20, 1980
- Chris Gaylor, Born: April 11, 1979
For The All- American Rejects, the road to When the World Comes Down, their third long form musical offering, has been anything but a straight line. Beyond a band, AAR is four friends who discovered one other and scored the American dream. Tyson and Nick founded the group and released the EP, Same Girl, New Songs in the summer of 2001. Mike and Chris joined in 2002 and the new quartet hit stores with their self-titled long play debut, The All-American Rejects on October 15th, scoring commercial success with the single, “Swing Swing.” They toured tirelessly and in July 2005, presented their fans with Move Along, a breakout effort featuring three smash hits, “Dirty Little Secret,” “It Ends Tonight,” and the LP’s inspiring anthemic title track. From down home southern boys to multi-platinum stars, AAR broke through the pabulum of mainstream pop with a cache of great songs and an authentic connection to their adoring audience. While success can often damage the psyche, it just brought the Rejects closer together. It has something to do with personality and good breeding. Songs like “Believe,” a breathtaking homage to a fallen friend that examines why we’re here and where we might go once we cross over, the ambitious “Another Heart Calls,” AAR’s first duet taken to resonant new heights by the hypnotic vocals of a pair of Alabama sisters called, The Pierces, the soaring, roaring, antagonizing, “Hope It Gives You Hell,” (written on a road trip to Vancouver), the bouncy, effervescent “Falling Apart,” and the infectious, monster hooked, “Damn Girl,” illustrate seasoned composition, vintage production and a fierce, experimental spirit that contemporary fans beyond the Rejects’ passionate base will wholeheartedly and enthusiastically embrace. “I want this record to be more than just good for us, I want it to be good for them, our fans,” insists Ty. “In the end, we’re just a band, close friends, who care deeply about what we do. When the b--- ventually dies, love survives. I’m no rock star or hometown hero. I’m just a nobody. And like the song says, you’re nobody ’til somebody loves you.”