become a contributor
Backstage with The All-American Rejects
Ever heard of a little band called The All-American Rejects? Okay, so maybe they’re more like a HUGE band with a worldwide following of fans. Nick, Tyson, Mike and Chris are four pieces of the puzzle that make up AAR. They released their latest album, When the World Comes Down, in December 2008 and have been touring ever since.
The Rejects, who just wrapped up their whirlwind tour, totally know how to work a crowd. And GL’s editorial assistant, Megan, got to go backstage and hang out with guitarist Nick and the rest of AAR crew at a recent stop in Maryland. Pretty cool, right?!
An always upbeat Nick greeted us with a smile and, um, a moustache? Turns out the band is growing mustaches to raise awareness for prostate cancer. But enough blabbing on how awesome and down-to-earth the guys really are. We sat down with Nick and had him dish on everything from holiday plans and fave girl bands to the future of AAR…
Do the lyrics go first, or does the melody usually go first?
With us it’s always melody and sometimes lyrics come with the melody. Sometimes a melody flows a lot better with certain words, and I think that sometimes inspires songs. They’re always about a real-life experience.
What are some good bands you like with girls in them?
I was a No Doubt fan growing up. I just got to see them recently on their reunion tour. It was awesome! I [also] like when chicks play bass. I was a big Smashing Pumpkins fan. They had a female bass player.
GL: What inspires you to write lyrics?
Nick: Tyson’s the lyric guy. I might have aided him in a “the” here and there, maybe it was “an” when it should have been “a” or vice versa. No, I’m messin’ with you.Do the lyrics go first, or does the melody usually go first?
With us it’s always melody and sometimes lyrics come with the melody. Sometimes a melody flows a lot better with certain words, and I think that sometimes inspires songs. They’re always about a real-life experience.
What are some good bands you like with girls in them?
I was a No Doubt fan growing up. I just got to see them recently on their reunion tour. It was awesome! I [also] like when chicks play bass. I was a big Smashing Pumpkins fan. They had a female bass player.
Christmas is almost here. Are you heading home for the holidays?
It works out every couple of years, when we’re doing a headlining tour, that we route it through Oklahoma. We usually play Oklahoma right before Thanksgiving and then Texas after Thanksgiving. Mike’s got a bunch of family in Texas, and all of us have family in Oklahoma, so it’s perfect. We can always do the family thing on Thanksgiving.
What’s your favorite holiday dish?
I’m a sucker for sweet potato casserole, and green bean casserole. Anything in a casserole dish I really enjoy.
What are some of AAR’s goals for the near future?
For more into on The All-American Rejects, head to allamericanrejects.com.
Are you an All-American Rejects fan? Which is your fave song? Blog about it, babes.
It works out every couple of years, when we’re doing a headlining tour, that we route it through Oklahoma. We usually play Oklahoma right before Thanksgiving and then Texas after Thanksgiving. Mike’s got a bunch of family in Texas, and all of us have family in Oklahoma, so it’s perfect. We can always do the family thing on Thanksgiving.
What’s your favorite holiday dish?
I’m a sucker for sweet potato casserole, and green bean casserole. Anything in a casserole dish I really enjoy.
What are some of AAR’s goals for the near future?
We’re kind of at the point where we’ve been very fortunate. Each album has sold more than the last--well I guess Move Along has sold the most, but this album has sold the most singles. It has gotten us a number one song in several countries on several continents. We went to Malaysia twice this year. Who goes to Malaysia twice in one year? So it’s kind of time to reassess our goals because, I mean, the ones that you always [had before], I’m in a band I hope I get a record deal, plan a record, [get an] MTV video award, [they’re all] done.
After we wrote this record, we just pressed pause on life. [We went] away for a year and a half while we toured, and then plopped back down in real life when it was all over. I think we just have figure out where we are and who we are and where we want to go.
For more into on The All-American Rejects, head to allamericanrejects.com.
Are you an All-American Rejects fan? Which is your fave song? Blog about it, babes.
POSTED IN concert, music, celebrity interviews
POLL
This is NOT a drill: <em>Tortured Poets Department</em> is out! The first track you fell in love with was...
LOVE THIS
Do *you* have what it takes
to be a model?
.png)
Take our quiz to see if you're ready to strut your stuff. Then, enter our contest with Barbizon Model to make those dreams come true!
FREE STUFF
HUMOR, HEARTACHE, AND COMING-OF-AGE CHAOS
Fourteen-year-old Dolores is decidedly *not* thriving, with her ever-changing friendships, family drama and chronic medical condition. She devises a plan to make the most of the school year, but can she pull it off? Enter to win here!
