The Boys

The year was 2001 and the Chicago music scene was about to welcome the newest pop-punk band into its' diverse local scene. Formulated by Joseph Trohman and Peter Wentz, both former members of the now-defunct hardcore band Arma Angelus, the two realized together that they were bored of playing the same old hardcore music. Wentz and Trohman started writing pop songs for fun, and when Trohman stumbled upon Patrick Stump (the two met while discussing another band, Neurosis, at a Chicago bookstore), Trohman and Wentz realized they'd found the vocalist to their ensemble. After a few auditions and different trial-and-error drummers, the band found their fourth and final member in their old friend, Andrew Hurley. The pop songs quickly developed into pop-punk tracks, and shortly after, a three song demo CD was spread around Chicago.

The demo gained the band fans in and around Chicago, and after releasing a split CD with Project Rocket, the attention was quickly spread across the country. Record labels began to watch Fall Out Boy and many became interested in signing the quartet. The band eventually settled on Tampa, Florida-based Fueled By Ramen Records.

Shortly after their signing, the band released their album "Take This To Your Grave". Witty song titles and catchy lyrics mixed withcaptivating guitar hooks lead "Take This To Your Grave" into the hearts of many fans across the world. The unforgettable songs, dealing with various topics, like heartache (see: "Tell That Mick He Just Made My List Of Things To Do Today"), best friends (see: "Grenade Jumper"), and deception (see: "The Patron Saint Of Liars And Fakes"). The ability of their fans to relate to the lyrics easily propelled Fall Out Boy's capability for fame, and soon after, they began to tour the country, and the world. Touring with bands such as Mest, Taking Back Sunday, Less Than Jake, Spitalfield, and American Hi-Fi lead the band to gain even more popularity, and their stint on Warped Tour opened them up to an even more diverse fan base.

The time came for the band to create the follow-up to their smash hit "Take This To Your Grave", and while at times the process could be nerve-wracking, the band managed to improve upon its' former methods to develop an even better formula. For "From Under The Cork Tree", Wentz was the primary lyricist. Having filled journal upon journal with different lyrical possibilities, Stump created the melodies that played off on Wentz's lyrics. Trohman and Hurley were also more heavily involved in the writing process this time around, and the results were 25 strong songs which ended up being narrowed down to 13 for "From Under The Cork Tree" (which happens to be named from "The Story Of Ferdinand", one of Wentz's favorite childhood books). From the beginning camera click sound effects of "Our Lawyer Made Us Change The Name Of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued" to the very last strain of "XO", Fall Out Boy managed to once again create an album which fans both old and new would find appeal in. This time, however, they were releasing the album on Island Records, headed up by CEO Sean "Jay-Z" Carter. The break into mainstream through Island would turn out to be a good move for the band, who managed to break into #9 on the Billboard Charts the week their album debuted. Strong pre-sales and strong first week sales also bolstered this number.

Fall Out Boy continue to support the label that took a chance on them, continually touring with other Fueled By Ramen bands such as The Academy Is ..., and Gym Class Heroes (who are signed to Wentz's imprint, Decaydance Records), and Punchline. Wentz continually signs upcoming talents to Decaydance, and gives back to Fueled By Ramen with his finds. Their sounds are diverse - Gym Class Heroes are a rock and roll/hip hop mix, Panic! At The Disco are a danceable band with rock sounds, and the latest signing, October Falls, are a semi-hardcore, alternative band. Each band has their own little niche, and each band has something unique to offer. Kind of like Fall Out Boy's ability to offer something unique and beautiful in each song.

2005 holds more touring for Fall Out Boy, who finished their Fueled By Ramen & Friends headlining tour in early May with a CD release show in their Chicago hometown. The band will be on the duration of the Vans Warped Tour and will also be visiting other countries come fall, then the band will be staging secret shows all around Chicago to benefit various causes, and following that up with another US fall tour. The band has their plates full for their near-future, but nothing could be better for these four guys who never really planned for the band to become what it is today.