Citing such influences as AC/DC, Def Leppard and Bon Jovi, Tyson Ritter (vocals/bass) and Nick Wheeler (guitar/programming) formed The All-American Rejects in 2000, while both members were still in high school. Originally released on Doghouse Records in 2002 and later reissued by DreamWorks, their platinum certified self-titled debut scored hits with the effervescent singles "Swing, Swing," "The Last Song" and "Time Stands Still," which attracted attention from Interscope Records and ultimately landed the All-American Rejects on the label's roster.