When Fall Out Boy Met President Barack Obama …
Published by James Montgomery on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 12:13 pm.


Fall Out Boy spent inauguration day scaling trees and performing alongside Kanye West and Kid Rock at President Obama’s Youth Ball, but out of 24 very hectic hours, there are three minutes that definitely stand out from the rest: when they got to meet Obama himself.

Even if they don’t exactly remember how the whole thing went down.

“We literally found out we were going to meet him, like, a couple [of minutes beforehand],” FOB frontman Patrick Stump laughed. “A lady walks into the room and was like, ‘We’re leaving right now. … You’re meeting the president. It was like we had no time to prepare, no time to anything. … You just walk up, and they were like, ‘You gotta go now,’ and they shove us against the wall and then in comes the president. It was amazing.”

It sounds slightly terrifying, but the guys in FOB said it was probably the highlight of their career. After all, it’s not every day you get to shake hands with the most powerful man in the world, who turns out to be a pretty nice guy.

“It was fantastic,” guitarist Joe Trohman said. “He came out on my right-hand side. All of a sudden, he’s there in my face and said, ‘Oh, what’s your name?’ and I almost just went, ‘Uh, Obama?’ I freaked out and didn’t know what to say. But he was so nice and cool. Just the fact that he and Michelle came up and were like, ‘What’s your name? It’s really nice to meet you.’ It was so cool.”

So what exactly did the guys in FOB say to the commander in chief during their brief meeting? Did they perhaps try to sneak in some quick lobbying? Or maybe slip him a copy of Folie à Deux? Turns out, they just kept it simple.

“I just made sure to call him ‘president’ a lot. I’m sure he wants to hear that more now,” Trohman laughed.

“Yeah, he’s got to get used to hearing it,” Stump added.

[source]

Fall Out Boy Watched Obama's Inauguration From The Trees
The band was too late to make it into the ceremony, so they got creative.
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Daniel Montalto


Fall Out Boy may have performed at President Obama's official Youth Ball, but that didn't guarantee them seats at his inauguration. Though they all had tickets, they ended up watching it like just like the rest of us. From very far away.

"We tried to go. We had tickets but couldn't make it there in time, because they blocked everything off," frontman Patrick Stump told MTV News after finishing up their set. "It didn't matter, though. That was one of the best days in American history, and we got to be around for it."

So, shut off from their seats, the guys in FOB made like members of the great unticketed masses and got resourceful: They took to the trees for a (relatively) unobstructed view.

"I watched half of it from a tree on the JumboTron, and my wife [Ashlee Simpson, just in case anyone didn't know] played the oath and we listened to it," bassist Pete Wentz laughed. "She put the phone up to the TV, and we heard it. That's how we got sound. So, shout out to my wife for doing that."

And despite their lack of VIP treatment during the inauguration, the rest of FOB's day — which included not just the gig (where they managed to work a bit of Britney Spears' "Womanizer" into a version of their hit "I Don't Care") but also a meeting with President Obama himself — played out like it was scripted in Hollywood.

"It felt like the movies, man. You always see those moments in movies," Stump smiled. "We got to be in D.C. for this, and we got to meet [Obama], and we got to play this. It's an awesome day. It just felt perfect, everything was right."

Watch "Be the Change: Live From the Inaugural" online now, and come back Thursday for the full performances from Kanye West, Kid Rock and Fall Out Boy. Stick with us for wall-to-wall coverage of the inauguration and of the scenes in Washington, D.C., New Orleans and Kenya.

[source]

Huffington Post Inaugural Ball Packs In Celebs From Pete Wentz To Don King
Performances by Will.I.Am, Sheryl Crow distract guests from the overcrowding.
By Sarah Maslin Nir


WASHINGTON, D.C. — It was billed as D.C.'s "most exclusive party," but the Huffington Post Pre-Inaugural Ball certainly was crowded. Make that can't-move-without-spilling-your-drink, can't-talk-without-shouting, sardines-in-a-tin-can packed. Held at the ultramodern Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue, the party took place amid giant models of laptop computers and interactive journalism terminals that partygoers played with at random.

Calling the bash "our inauguration," the liberal online newspaper aimed to galvanize the public into taking action for the future of America. The site's founder, Arianna Huffington, was interviewed by Larry King at the party.

( More )

T.I. Brings 'Em Out For Barack Obama At Mayor's Ball
Fall Out Boy, Wyclef Jean also put an inaugural spin on their hits for D.C. party.
By Shaheem Reid


WASHINGTON, D.C. — "She's a Bad Mama Jama," a string of Biggie records, "Arab Money" and "Pop Champagne"? This Mayor's Ball was no night of stuffed-shirt political posturing. Nah. D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty put together quite a party on Sunday night at the Washington Convention Center. And he handpicked the performers of the night, not because of their involvement in various community projects, but because he really likes their music.

Fall Out Boy, Wyclef Jean and T.I. all captivated the stage. Tip's set was short and bursting with enthusiasm. A clean version of "Bring 'Em Out" was the kick-off number. Tip didn't cuss at all during his program.

( More )

[source]

Fall Out Boy Enjoy V.I.P. Treatment For Inaugural Weekend
D.C. Mayor Fenty is a big fan of the ardent Obama supporters, which is how they got booked for two inaugural balls.
By Daniel Montalto


WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fall Out Boy aren't exactly heads of state, but while they're in D.C. for the inauguration this week, the guys certainly feel like it.

"We're driving around in bulletproof cars with guys who know mixed martial arts," Pete Wentz told MTV News on Sunday. "The 14-year-old version of your former self is like, 'That's awesome.' "

That awesomeness is what happens when you are invited guests of the mayor and the newly elected president. That's because Fall Out Boy are playing not one, but two inaugural balls this week. (It's worth noting that in classic Fall Out Boy style, the mere mention of "balls" had them giggling throughout the interview).

The first, was Sunday night's Mayor's Ball, where the guys played a set for Mayor Adrian Fenty and his 15,000 guests — not because the 38-year-old mayor wanted to seem cool to the kids, but because he's actually a fan of the band.

"I met him last night, and he was really cool; he was like, 'I've been a fan for a while,' " Wentz said. "To be honest with you, we got into D.C. yesterday, and I didn't know how I was getting here until midnight the night before. I think the mayor pulled some strings, and we got here somehow."

The second ball they're playing is Obama's official Youth Ball on Tuesday night, which MTV will be airing as part of its "Be the Change: Live From the Inaugural" special. They will be joined by Kanye West, Kid Rock, Usher, Rosario Dawson and, of course, the man who will by then be 44th president of the United States.

"Obama is scheduled to come through," Wentz said. "He could come through at any point. Right in the middle of the Fall Out Boy set, it could be like, 'Oh yeah, Obama's here, and he's gonna talk.' I can't think of a better reason for us to stop playing."

"Be the Change: Live From the Inaugural" will air live on MTV on Tuesday, January 20, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. MTV News will have wall-to-wall coverage of the event and of the scenes in Washington, D.C., New Orleans and Kenya in the days leading up to the event and in the days that follow.

[source] - click here for video.

Fall Out Boy Premiere “Folie a Deux” With New York Blitz
12/17/08, 5:05 pm EST

Given Fall Out Boy’s penchant for publicity stunts (see this year’s nixed attempt to set a Guinness World Record by playing in Antarctica, followed by successfully setting the record for Most Interviews On Radio In a 24 Hour Period By A Pair of Two after talking to 72 radio stations), it should come as no surprise that the band celebrated yesterday’s release of Folie à Deux with a 36-hour New York promotional blitz that involved a nearly free show, performing on late-night TV and almost getting arrested.

( More )

[source]

Fall Out Boy Concert Scrapped Following Police Problems


Fall Out Boy were forced to cancel an impromptu gig in New York yesterday (December 15th) after they failed to obtain the correct permit.

The band were due to preview tracks from their new album, 'Folie A Deux', for fans in Washington Square Park.

However, they were forced to perform acapella after the New York Police Department warned that if they performed with their instruments they could face jail.

“This isn't looking good," bassist Pete Wentz told frontman Patrick Stump. "But let's try to do it anyway."

The band led fans through a sing-a-long of their 2003 hit 'Grand Theft Autumn/ Where Is Your Boy'.

Stump told MTV afterwards he felt “bummed” that they weren't allow to perform, adding: “Those cops back there - and I have no problem with the cops, trust me - but those cops were like the Grinch. They just took all the presents."

Wentz first told fans about the gig via his blog on Sunday (December 14th ).

( Pictures )

[source]