There’s an interesting trend with established music bands: they often struggle to engage anyone outside their dedicated fanbase when it comes to new releases. The All-American Rejects (AAR), a pop-punk band originating from Oklahoma, exemplifies this challenge. Known for their hits like “Move Along” and “Gives You Hell,” AAR last released a full album in 2012 with Kids In The Street, though they did release an EP in 2019 and a single in 2020.
The band recently embarked on their first headline tour in ten years, joined by popular bands from the MySpace era such as New Found Glory and Motion City Soundtrack. During an appearance on the Zach Sang Show, lead vocalist Tyson Ritter expressed that fans might not be interested in new music from bands like his. A clip from this episode sparked discussion on platforms like TikTok, featuring Ritter’s thoughts on the complexities of writing new music when fans see them as part of their past:
I’m 40 years old, man? Do you think I’m gonna write music about fuckin’ heartbreak in high school again?… There’s a world that’s opened up, for me at least, having a lived experience that wasn’t just this fuckin’ band on the road. That feels like there could be something there, which to me is exciting and frightening. And also, half the people that love this band don’t fucking care to hear new music. All these things are real, right?…
Think about your favorite band that’s long-gone or that’s still around and you can still see them. But can you name their newest song? Probably nine times out of ten, you can’t. But the exciting challenge, I think, that we’ll do the service for your younger selves, is what if maybe we can find another one? What if maybe there’s something else to say? That’s such an exciting and fucking frightening thing that we’ve never got to approach before. I think a lot of other people don’t see it like that. They’re like, “Content! Music’s just fuckin’ content! Just get it out! What’s your narrative? What’s your story? Did you have a personal crisis that we can talk about, that we can capitalize on?”
@zachsangshow Do @All-American Rejects fans want new music? #aar #reject #theallamericanrejects #tysonritter #zachsangshow #zachsang #fyp #foryou @Amazon Music ♬ original sound – Zach Sang Show
Perhaps the All-American Rejects will indeed discover new themes to explore. For now, they seem to be revisiting their past in a strategic manner. After hinting at new material, they’ve released a fresh cover of Harvey Danger’s 1997 classic “Flagpole Sitta,” capturing the same lively spirit that initially brought them fame.
Harvey Danger, who disbanded in 2009, famously preferred not to perform “Flagpole Sitta” in live shows, despite it being their only significant hit. The All-American Rejects have performed their cover at various events this year, and they have now released a studio version along with a music video. Whether fans want to hear a 40-year-old Tyson Ritter — who still looks great — sing about rebellion and indie culture is an open question. Check out both the All-American Rejects’ version of “Flagpole Sitta” and the original by Harvey Danger below.
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