The Pre-All-American Rejects era consisted of two bands. One band was known as the Drowning Fish and included the future All-American Reject Nick Wheeler. At the time, Wheeler was his band's drummer. Also, a part of the Drowning Fish was guitarist Jesse Tabish, who is now playing with a rising Oklahoma indie act, Kunek. Tyson Ritter's first band was known as Curbside Service. Ritter stuck mainly to vocals because he was still learning to play the guitar at the time. After Ritter and Wheeler met at a party, Wheeler informed Ritter that his band was in need of a bass player. Ritter responed by telling Wheeler that he was their man even though he had never really attempted to play a bass guitar in his life. In 1998, Ritter joined up with Tabish and Wheeler and The All American Rejects were formed. The name of the band was inspired by a compromise between two suggested names, The All-Americans, and The Rejects. After parting ways with Tabish in 2000, The All American Rejects became a two man show. Ritter led the way with his charisma and bass playing ability and Wheeler switched from drummer to guitar player. The All American Rejects also used a drum machine that was pre-programmed by Wheeler. The All American Rejects released their first independent album in the spring of 2000, and eventually built up a large local fanbase. The All American Rejects went on to open for The Flaming Lips and Caroline's Spine. Their music was also licensed for use on then-hit MTV show Undressed.

In the summer of 2001, The All American Rejects released the EP Same Girl, New Songs and began to tour the American Midwest. By the tour's end, The All American Rejects had signed a contract with Doghouse Records - the label of such bands as River City High and The Get Up Kids.

Mike Kennerty (guitar, vocals) and Chris Gaylor (drums, percussion) joined in 2002. That year, with producer Tim O'Heir (who had, in the past, worked with bands like Superdrag, Sebadoh, and Juliana Hatfield), The All American Rejects recorded their international debut album. From this album came the single "Swing, Swing," for which The All American Rejects were best-known for several years (so much so, in fact, that some termed the band a one-hit wonder). The self-titled album hit stores on October 15 of that year.

On July 12, 2005, The All American Rejects released Move Along, from which came the single "Dirty Little Secret". The music video featured images from collective art project PostSecret. Later that year, The All American Rejects saw themselves forced to cancel several concerts, including a full European tour, after their touring keyboardist Tim Jordan committed suicide.

The second single "Move Along" was released in January 2006. Within the first weeks after premiering their video, it had been on the TRL countdown ever since, hitting number one for days in row, moving from place to place. Oddly, on the Billboard Hot 100, the single didn't hit peak until almost six months later in June, making it one of the longest lasting singles by The All American Rejects. "Move Along" was then nominated for Best Editing in a Video and Best Group Video at the 2006 Video Music Awards, the latter of which they won. In addition, The All American Rejects performed "Move Along" live at the VMAs on Thursday, August 31st, 2006.

Due to the success of their two singles and overall popularity of the band, The All American Rejects began to receive video game opportunities. "Night
Drive," was featured in the video game Madden NFL 2006 and the Cars computer game; and "Top of the World" has also been featured in the video game Burnout: Revenge.

The All American Rejects have also received song-spots on TV. In July 2006, the single "Move Along" was announced as the official WWE Diva Search 2006 theme song and is being used in advertisements for the Toa Inika figures of Lego's Bionicle franchise. 'Free the Band' is its motto. Also the song "Change Your Mind" was used in an ad for T Mobile. The All American Rejects are also apparently part of an alternate reality game promoting Lego's Bionicle toy line.

In August 2006, the fourth single, "It Ends Tonight", was released. The video for "It Ends Tonight" debuted in the UK on August 28th, 2006. "It Ends Tonight" debuted at number 10 on the VH1 Top 20 countdown. By Septmember 2006, the album Move Along became 5x platinum.

So far, The All American Rejects has toured around the US with Fall Out Boy, Hawthorne Heights, From First to Last, The Hush Sound, and October Fall in the Black Clouds and Underdogs Tour. The All American Rejects has recently finished a headlining tour called "Tournado" with Motion City Soundtrack, The Starting Line, The Format, Gym Class Heroes, and Boys Like Girls.

Tyson Ritter - vocals, bass
Nick Wheeler - guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Mike Kennerty - guitar, backing vocals
Chris Gaylor - drums, percussion

The All American Rejects Ex-Members
Tim Campbell - drums

The All American Rejects (2003)
My Paper Heart
Your Star
Swing, Swing
Time Stands Still
One More Sad Song
Why Worry
Don't Leave Me
Too Far Gone
Drive Away
Happy Endings
The Last Song

Move Along (2005)
Dirty Little Secret
Stab My Back
Move Along
It Ends Tonight
Change Your Mind
Night Drive
11:11 P.M.
Dance Inside
Top Of The World
Straightjacket Feeling
I'm Waiting
Can't Take It