When the All-American Rejects took the stage at the When We Were Young Festival in October 2022, they had low expectations. It had been ten years since their last album, Kids in the Street, and the band hadn’t performed for their core fanbase in years. But to their surprise, 30,000 fans showed up, reigniting their passion for music.
The Oklahoma-based band—Ritter (lead vocals/bass), Wheeler (lead guitar/backing vocals), Kennerty (rhythm guitar/backing vocals), and Gaylor (drums)—rose to fame in the early 2000s with catchy pop-rock hits. However, after years of touring and recording, they burned out and questioned their purpose outside the band. “We all went our separate ways,” Ritter recalls. “I wasn’t doing well.”
Now, in 2023, the band embarked on their first headlining tour in a decade, fueled by the success of their performance at the festival. Their new single, Sandbox, released in April, represents a shift in their sound—addressing broader societal themes rather than just personal heartbreak. “We’re proud that this song has a message,” says Ritter.
The music video for Sandbox, directed by Joseph Kahn, adds another layer of creativity, with a violent puppet battle. It marks the band’s first release as an independent act, free from the constraints of a major label.
“We haven’t had this much creative freedom since our first album,” says Wheeler. The band left Interscope Records after realizing it no longer felt like home. “We negotiated our way out,” Ritter explains.
Years of touring had taken a toll, and tensions flared during a 2016 tour with Blink-182, leading to a rift between Ritter and Wheeler. But after reconnecting on their recent tours, the band is now in a better place. “The timing had to align for this to work again,” says Wheeler.
Now in their 40s, the band members have moved on to other ventures but found their way back to making music together. “I can’t wait to play again,” Ritter says, signaling that their revival is built on renewed passion and a shared love for the music they create.
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