The All-American Rejects: "Gives You Hell" and "Flagpole Sitta"

Rock/emo icons All-American Rejects have surprised fans with their high-energy reimagination of Harvey Danger’s “Flagpole Sitta,” available now on all DSPs worldwide via Virgin/SPIN. The four-piece cornerstone of 2000s alternative is officially having fun again, as fully evident in their latest offering. The track was birthed from late-night bus lounge hangs on 2023’s Wet Hot All-American Summer Tour, which sold over 200,000 tickets to hungry fans as their first headlining tour in a decade.

"We've always felt that if an idea survives a hangover, then it’s probably a good one," says the band on the track.

"'Flagpole Sitta' was such an idea, born of a late-night, post show, adrenaline-fueled drive. We recorded it because we wanted to see how it would fall out of us on the floor - either like a hot bag of shit, or a vibe. It was also a good excuse tosee if the 4 of us could stand each other for a week in the studio after 7 years of silence. Turns out it was alright.”

Feeling rejuvenated to be in a band again, AAR’s busy 2024 has included appearances at UK’s Slam Dunk Festival, Brazil’s I Wanna Festival, Ocean’s Calling (9/27), and the highly-anticipated When We Were Young Fest (10/19-20), where they’ll play their greatest hits alongside emo legends My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Jimmy Eat World, & countless others.

Formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 1999, AAR quickly rose to prominence in the early 2000s with their infectious blend of pop-punk and emo rock. Their self-titled debut album, released in 2002, featured the hit single "Swing, Swing," which propelled them into the mainstream. This success was followed by the 2005 album Move Along, which achieved 3 chart-topping singles - "Dirty Little Secret," "Move Along," and "It Ends Tonight." 2008 brought When the World Comes Down, featuring the stratospheric and generational smash hit "Gives You Hell” - the band’s most successful single to date, reaching number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band's fourth studio album, Kids in the Street, came out in 2012, showcasing a more mature sound while still retaining their signature style.

Currently, the Rejects continue to create and perform, solidifying their place as one of the most beloved bands of their genre. Their journey from early 2000s hitmakers to enduring rock icons is a testament to their talent, resilience, and deep connection they share with their fans.

“As for what’s coming next, we will leave that up to the divine feminine,” the band goes on to say. “If she wants it, she’ll get it."

Links mentioned in this episode:

⁠My TikTok breakdown of "Gives You Hell": https://www.tiktok.com/@rodkimrocks/v...

My TikTok breakdown of "Flagpole Sitta":

⁠Brandon Carswell's "Worktapes" Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/09AO...

⁠Listen to "Flagpole Sitta" here: https://open.spotify.com/album/33B1mu...

⁠Listen to "Gives You Hell" here: https://open.spotify.com/track/6ihL9T...