All-American Rejects

While Stillwater, Oklahoma may not initially conjure thoughts of rock ‘n’ roll, the group All-American Rejects will change your mind about rocking inspiration in smalltown America. Bassist/vocalist Tyson Ritter and guitarist/pianist/programmer Nick Wheeler began their obsession with music while in junior high. The pair immersed itself in all kinds of big, anthemic rock. By the time they reached high school, Ritter met Wheeler at a party – and it was the genesis of All-American Rejects. Guitarist Mike Kennerty and drummer Chris Gaylord joined the fold and by 2000 the band was in full swing.

In 2002, All-American Rejects released its debut eponymous album independently to Doghouse Records. Its self-titled set housed production work from well-respected producer, Tim O’Heir (Sebadoh, Superdrag, Juliana Hatfield). Later, Dreamworks picked it up, and reissued it. Chock full of big hooks, loud guitars and indelible power-pop, the album housed the wonderfully catchy chart-grabber, “Swing Swing.”

In 2005 Interscope released All-American Rejects sophomore effort, Move Along. Produced by Howard Benson, the album expanded on AAR’s big-rocking pop and spawned the anthemic hit, “Dirty Little Secret.”

Fountains Of Wayne

Fans and critics alike adore Fountains Of Wayne’s excellent power-pop and tongue-in-cheek turns of phrase. Fountains Of Wayne, comprising singer-songwriters Adam Schlesinger and Chris Collingwood, were in existence long before the band made airwaves with its hugely popular power-pop song, “Stacy’s Mom.” The pair met in 1986 while attending Williams College in Massachusetts. They played in a variety of bands together, but it was as the group Pinnwheel that the duo released its first CD, which was held up from release due to legal battles.

The two parted ways afterwards. Schlesinger headed to New York City and joined the indie-pop group Ivy, while Collingwood became a member of Boston’s country-tinged Mercy Buckets.

In 1996, the duo reunited to form Fountains Of Wayne. Based in New York City, its eponymous debut was a critical success, lauded for its perfected, straightforward pop tunes. During this time, Schlesinger penned the title theme to the movie, That Thing You Do!, which earned him an Oscar nomination. In 1999 the group released Utopia Parkway, which spawned the college hit, “Denise.”

It reached its widest audience yet, due to the hilariously MILF-inspired “Stacy’s Mom,” which appeared on 2003’s Welcome Interstate Managers. The song marked the first time the group entered the Top 40, and it was a hit on several charts. The album is representative of what FOW does best – pure guitar-pop bliss. In 2005, the pair followed up WIM with a two-disc collection of B-sides, rare singles and live material.