Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy (formed 2001)

Fall Out Boy is an American rock band, who rose to fame with their single 'This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race.

Fall Out Boy: Formation

In Chicago, 2001, Fall Out Boy was formed by Joe Trohman and Pete Wentz. Trohman overheard Patrick Stump talking about the band Neurosis in a bookstore and invited him to join the band. Initially, Patrick auditioned as the drummer but his vocal talents were soon discovered and he took up the role of vocalist. T. J. Racine and a man known only as 'Mike' completed the line-up, on guitar and drums, respectively.

In 2002, the band recorded a demo and in May of that year, Uprising Records released their debut EP, followed by a mini LP, Fall Out Boy's Evening Out with Your Girlfriend, in 2003. Following the record's release, Andy Hurley joined the band, whilst Racine and Mike both left. It was around this time that Stump began to play the guitar for the band.

The band's name is a reference to a character in The Simpsons. The character was the sidekick to Radioactive Man.

Fall Out Boy: Breakthrough

In 2003, Fall Out Boy signed a deal with the label Fueled By Ramen, who released their acoustic EP My Heart Will Always Be the B-side to My Tongue.

Later that year, they also signed a deal with Island Records, who gave the band an advance payment to record Take This To Your Grave, with Sean O'Keefe at Smart Studios, owned by Butch Vig (of the band Garbage and renowned for his production work for Nirvana). Despite some songs receiving airplay, the album was only really a commercial success after the release of their next album.

In 2005, From Under the Cork Tree was released and sold over 68,000 in its first week of sale. The first single from the album, 'Sugar, We're Goin' Down', peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The band was nominated as Best Newcomer at the 2006 MTV Awards.

In 2007, the band released Infinity on High. Their single 'This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race' was the band's highest charting single on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as in the UK singles chart. The single was remixed by Kanye West and Fall Out Boy have also collaborated with Timbaland.

In April 2008, **** was released. The CD and DVD is a collection of live material recorded at Phoenix's Cricket Wireless Pavilion as well as a cover of Michael Jackson's 'Beat It', with John Mayer on guitar.

In August 2008, the band began a viral internet campaign to promote their next album, Folie à Deux, causing widespread speculation regarding the release date of the album.