MTV World Stage “Live in Malaysia” is set to bring lil’ hell-raisers The All-American Rejects down for an evening of fiery rock riffs. Just for kicks though, let’s see what goes on behind studio walls as AAR gears up for their one of their singles.

The All-American Rejects front man, Tyson Ritter, sings the verse to “Mona Lisa” for the 29th time. “All right, nice pass,” comments the voice behind the glass. “Some good stuff in there.” Producer Eric Valentine sits behind the console in his Barefoot Studios control room and imparts his bohemian brilliance. Welcome to the womb of creation where minds meld, riffs congeal, voices carry, lives alter and a modern rock multi-platinum success story swings for the fences.

Beyond a band, AAR is four friends who discovered one another 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 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 AAR closer together. It has something to do with personality and good breeding. “I was enrolled at the University of Central Oklahoma, was gonna be a physical therapist,” muses Chris. “’Til I got this call from Ty. Immediately deep sixed school and joined the band. I love playing drums and wish I could do this all the time. More I get to play, happier I am, less apt to get in trouble. I felt like I hit the lottery when I was making 50 bucks a show and not having to work for a living. Success is relative. When we got our first gold record, I started thinking ‘yeah, I guess this could pan out for awhile.’

And judging from the musical gems on AAR’s third offering, the band might just be in the running for another gold record. 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 AAR’s passionate base will wholeheartedly and enthusiastically embrace.

“In the end,” says Ty, “we’re just a band, close friends, who care deeply about what we do.” And long as they keep doing what they do, AAR fans are going to be rocking hard for a long time to come.

For more information on The All-American Rejects:
www.allamericanrejects.com