EXCLUSIVE: Fall Out Boy Looks Back on 15 Years as a Band

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It's hard to believe that Fall Out Boy has been a band for 15 years -- even for the members of Fall Out Boy.

"Gonna be driving soon!" bassist Pete Wentz joked to ETonline recently of the group inching closer and closer to their sweet 16.


WATCH: Fall Out Boy Spoofs Iconic *NSYNC Video With Help From Demi Lovato

All kidding aside, these four dudes from the Chicago suburbs don’t seem surprised by their success, but rather that fans are still listening. The group is less humblebrag, more rock #SquadGoals -- you know, if #SquadGoals was a remotely rockstar thing to say.

"We've played twice for this president [Barack Obama], which is pretty crazy. That's pretty wild," Pete said. "I think the craziest thing is that we're still playing these things -- in a great way -- like our songs are still on the radio or in some way relevant to pop culture. It’s pretty humbling to see that."

Prior to Fall Out Boy's creation, Pete and guitarist Joe Trohman were both involved with bands in Chicago's hardcore music scene. They started a side project to the group they were already in, Arma Angelus, and after meeting singer Patrick Stump in a bookstore, the trio formed Fall Out Boy. Drummer Andy Hurley joined them full-time in 2003, the same year FOB dropped their major label debut, From Under the Cork Tree. They took a nearly five-year hiatus following their 2008 album, Folie à Deux, returning with Save Rock and Roll in 2013, which hit No. 1 in the U.S.


WATCH: Fall Out Boy Talks Career Milestones & Staying True to Their Fans

The musicians transcended beyond the emo-pop punk pack of the early aughts into a successful mainstream rock band with catchy hooks and soaring choruses in a way that few groups have, which included 19 singles charting on Billboard's Top 100 and a GRAMMY nomination for Best New Artist in 2006. Further proof of their meteoric success is their many big-name collaborations, which over the years and albums have included Elton John, Jay Z and Demi Lovato.

Pete admitted to ETonline that the guys labored over what to do when it came time to call Jay Z's assistant in order to speak to the rapper.

"We debated for like half an hour, 'How do you ask for Jay Z?'" Pete recalled.

"Yes, is it, Mr. C?" Patrick asked, laughing, as the media mogul's real name is Shawn Carter.

"We had this big whole plan, and then we call, and he's like, 'What up, this is Hov.' And I was like, 'Oh f**k, he answered the phone!'" Pete continued.

Part of the reason Fall Out Boy continues to resonate with their fans is that innocence, as well as their ability to adapt to the musical climate while never straying from their roots.


MORE: Fall Out Boy on 'Easy' Studio Time With Demi Lovato

"I think it's a really fun time to be an artist right now, because you can literally do anything as long as it's authentic to you,” Pete said. "I thought that was great when I saw Diplo and Skrillex do a song with Justin Bieber. I was like, 'Oh my god, this is 2015, and I f**king love a Justin Bieber song.'"

You're not alone, Pete. You're not alone.

Pete and Patrick sat down with ETonline last year to talk fans and career milestones. Watch the inteview below.

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