Post by Tyson's #1 Fan on Jun 11, 2006 8:11:14 GMT -5
March 5, 2004
Out of the Doghouse (Records) and into the mainstream that is Dreamworks, The All American Rejects have come into their own without being cowed by a guy in a suit and tie telling them how to write a good pop song. They are clearly doing it on their own and with a pretty unique approach to etching out their own niche in a world full of bands that utilize the scream/sing/scream and sing again approach. themusicedge.com recently caught up with guitarist Nick Wheeler during their writing period for their new record which he says will, "Hopefully be out in the fall."
It boils down to solid writing and a great partnership and friendship that turned into a band when Tyson Ritter (vocals/bass) and Nick Wheeler (guitars/keyboard/programming) came together and started recording songs in a bedroom in Oklahoma. Their first record was released on the indie label, Doghouse Records in October of 2002 and was later released on Dreamworks Records in February of 2003. The change has been enormous. Nick says that, "We're obviously older this time around. We've been on the road for the past two years and we haven't written for a long time but the process is still the same. We spent a year and a half writing the last album (Self Titled) and it's pretty cool now. We're back to the old routine. Sleeping in the same bed every night, going to the same coffee shop in the morning. We're of course a little more comfortable this time around, we're not at Mom and Dad's house but it's really neat. At the same time we're writing the same way we did before for this new record."
Tyson and Nick have been friends since second grade and have been part of several bands in the interim between AAR and picking up their instruments. Nick started out as a percussionist in his school band in 7th and 8th grade and was also a member of the marching band in high school, though he says, "Oklahoma heat in August in polyester suits and carrying a bass drum didn't really match."
Nick also took guitar lessons for the better part of ten years, learning the rudiments and technique he would later use in his very own band. As far as school music is concerned, Nick says, "The basics and rudiments I learned in school, I can't put a finger on it but it has contributed enormously. Learning the right way and how to read music, I mean it's a language itself and you have to know it in order to use it effectively."
"I played all the drums on the first record and I pretty much owe it to that (time in school band). I think it contributed immensely. Before the whole band thing happened I was majoring in Music Theory at Oklahoma State University. I learned a lot in music theory classes and stuff. That was always number one - education. My parents were very adamant about having a back up."
Playing with others is an important lesson, especially if it can be learned in school. Nick stipulates that his time in school band, "If you can speak and understand music it's a lot easier to play along with people. You can show them parts and learn new things. It just makes it easier trying to communicate that stuff."
AAR crafts some classic songs and it has a lot to do with the influences Nick has from growing up. "When I first started playing, I was air guitaring to Def Leopard. To this day that's the thing that got me into music. Its what I relate to in music. I still try and find rarities on eBay. I just bought a Bon Jovi 7" with a cover of "Boys are Back in Town" on the B-side. Growing up you discover the bands you love and you realize that those bands had influences too. Speaking of influences, I've grown to like bands like Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden. You know bands that were doing it first. Anybody who has a large record collection honestly listens to about half a dozen records on repeat and of those, for me, it'll be Def Leppard Hysteria and Bon Jovi New Jersey."
The writing process is always a work in progress and can take some bands months or even years to cultivate a song. "We've got a lot shorter period of time to write this record this time around. The first one we had a year and a half but on this one we're trying to have it written in four months. In one aspect I guess we've got this large weight on our shoulders that wasn't there last time. But it still happens organically and we still write music for ourselves. Though now there is a standard. Those kids that have the first record are expecting something better and just as good as the last one. They're expecting that and more. It makes it tough because if it wasn't for the bands and the people liking what we do we wouldn't be doing what we're doing but at the same time I'm doing it for me. If they like the songs then great and if not, sorry. But lets hope they do!"
"This time around its different. You just have to hope that everyone grows with you and doesn't expect the exact same record again."
During the process of writing their new record, Nick and Tyson are using Line 6 pods for guitar and bass and writing tracks on Roland V drums to cut down on the noise. Being a drummer as well, Nick says, "Those V Drums are amazing. You can tell it how much tape to put on your drums to get the right sound you're looking for. The pods can sound like any guitar amp, though you can't beat the real thing when playing live. That's sort of the whole thing about playing live is to try and capture the sound of what was recorded and do what you can to duplicate while still keeping things fresh for the kids that come to hear the band they've never seen. They want to hear those songs played as good as they sound on the record."
Thanks Nick!!!
Out of the Doghouse (Records) and into the mainstream that is Dreamworks, The All American Rejects have come into their own without being cowed by a guy in a suit and tie telling them how to write a good pop song. They are clearly doing it on their own and with a pretty unique approach to etching out their own niche in a world full of bands that utilize the scream/sing/scream and sing again approach. themusicedge.com recently caught up with guitarist Nick Wheeler during their writing period for their new record which he says will, "Hopefully be out in the fall."
It boils down to solid writing and a great partnership and friendship that turned into a band when Tyson Ritter (vocals/bass) and Nick Wheeler (guitars/keyboard/programming) came together and started recording songs in a bedroom in Oklahoma. Their first record was released on the indie label, Doghouse Records in October of 2002 and was later released on Dreamworks Records in February of 2003. The change has been enormous. Nick says that, "We're obviously older this time around. We've been on the road for the past two years and we haven't written for a long time but the process is still the same. We spent a year and a half writing the last album (Self Titled) and it's pretty cool now. We're back to the old routine. Sleeping in the same bed every night, going to the same coffee shop in the morning. We're of course a little more comfortable this time around, we're not at Mom and Dad's house but it's really neat. At the same time we're writing the same way we did before for this new record."
Tyson and Nick have been friends since second grade and have been part of several bands in the interim between AAR and picking up their instruments. Nick started out as a percussionist in his school band in 7th and 8th grade and was also a member of the marching band in high school, though he says, "Oklahoma heat in August in polyester suits and carrying a bass drum didn't really match."
Nick also took guitar lessons for the better part of ten years, learning the rudiments and technique he would later use in his very own band. As far as school music is concerned, Nick says, "The basics and rudiments I learned in school, I can't put a finger on it but it has contributed enormously. Learning the right way and how to read music, I mean it's a language itself and you have to know it in order to use it effectively."
"I played all the drums on the first record and I pretty much owe it to that (time in school band). I think it contributed immensely. Before the whole band thing happened I was majoring in Music Theory at Oklahoma State University. I learned a lot in music theory classes and stuff. That was always number one - education. My parents were very adamant about having a back up."
Playing with others is an important lesson, especially if it can be learned in school. Nick stipulates that his time in school band, "If you can speak and understand music it's a lot easier to play along with people. You can show them parts and learn new things. It just makes it easier trying to communicate that stuff."
AAR crafts some classic songs and it has a lot to do with the influences Nick has from growing up. "When I first started playing, I was air guitaring to Def Leopard. To this day that's the thing that got me into music. Its what I relate to in music. I still try and find rarities on eBay. I just bought a Bon Jovi 7" with a cover of "Boys are Back in Town" on the B-side. Growing up you discover the bands you love and you realize that those bands had influences too. Speaking of influences, I've grown to like bands like Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden. You know bands that were doing it first. Anybody who has a large record collection honestly listens to about half a dozen records on repeat and of those, for me, it'll be Def Leppard Hysteria and Bon Jovi New Jersey."
The writing process is always a work in progress and can take some bands months or even years to cultivate a song. "We've got a lot shorter period of time to write this record this time around. The first one we had a year and a half but on this one we're trying to have it written in four months. In one aspect I guess we've got this large weight on our shoulders that wasn't there last time. But it still happens organically and we still write music for ourselves. Though now there is a standard. Those kids that have the first record are expecting something better and just as good as the last one. They're expecting that and more. It makes it tough because if it wasn't for the bands and the people liking what we do we wouldn't be doing what we're doing but at the same time I'm doing it for me. If they like the songs then great and if not, sorry. But lets hope they do!"
"This time around its different. You just have to hope that everyone grows with you and doesn't expect the exact same record again."
During the process of writing their new record, Nick and Tyson are using Line 6 pods for guitar and bass and writing tracks on Roland V drums to cut down on the noise. Being a drummer as well, Nick says, "Those V Drums are amazing. You can tell it how much tape to put on your drums to get the right sound you're looking for. The pods can sound like any guitar amp, though you can't beat the real thing when playing live. That's sort of the whole thing about playing live is to try and capture the sound of what was recorded and do what you can to duplicate while still keeping things fresh for the kids that come to hear the band they've never seen. They want to hear those songs played as good as they sound on the record."
Thanks Nick!!!