The All-American Rejects

Almost psychotic in his intense delivery Tyson, the lead for The All American Rejects begins his set acapella. He rolls on the ground writhing with his own seeming insanity before springing to his feet as the rest of the band begins playing. Waiting until the crowd is involved he begins stopping at almost random places in the song and allowing the audience to finish his phrases.
Tyson struts across the stage seemingly boneless and possessed by the music. He never misses a beat and seems to project an almost insane persona. Wide eyes he blows kisses to the crowd and grins like a Cheshire cat reveling in the screams of his fans. For his next song he is less animated but his eyes express so much more emotion. He stares into the audience and though he appears unseeing his eyes bore into my chest.
Mike and Chris have similar stares and their faces are screwed up with effort. It seems as if they are pushing the music from their very being rather than playing instruments. It is hard to tell where the musician begins and the instrument ends but in the moment I don't care for such details. Even when less animated Chris gestures almost frantically with his arms punctuating riffs, notes, and phrases and seemingly offering them to the audience. The experience is intense, emotional, and outside of the bounds of sanity. Limits mean nothing to this band and they are willing to rock you into oblivion with their passion.

Continuing to ride the diminishing wave of 90's garage rock, Oklahoma group The All-American Rejects have been carving a career in this genre for over fifteen years. A successful one at that, the band has enjoyed commerciality in both the States and the UK and their angst pop/rock has an apparent almost universal appeal when viewing the broad range of patrons attending their tours.

There is an egotistical sashay to the way in which Tyson Ritter leads his musicians onto stage as they are showered in deafening cheers and applause. Determined to give the crowds what they have come for, they begin with a thumping 'Dirty Little Secret' which gets the whole room clapping overhead during its recognisable chorus. The pace does not drop throughout the night whether it be due to singalong modern classics, interactive instrumentals or impassioned stage speeches and interaction from Ritter. The band knows that garage is a genre fast disappearing from the mainstream charts yet stand firm to their beliefs and play the music both them and their fans adore. With tracks such as 'Move Along' and 'Gives You Hell' the appeal is only growing.

I drove 251 miles to see the Rejects, and it was worth every mile, every minute. I have loved AAR for so long...since the beginning, and this was a dream come true for me!