Who Is R5?

Thanks to the decal on the drum kit, the dependability of Shazam, and beautiful resource that is iSpot.tv, I know that the band behind the "Rock That Rock" song in that Ring Pop ad is pop-rock outfit R5. Have I heard of R5? Yes, duh. Do I know anything about R5? Can I name any of their songs off of the top of my head? Have I ever heard an R5 song? Erm... Uh... Sigh. I'm out of touch! I'm falling behind! I'm getting old!

I am not ready to be left in the pop music world's dust. Not yet. So, I must jump into the sea of R5 information available the Internet and bring myself up to speed.

Here are some deets about the band for my fellow R5 n00bs. R5: 101, if you will:

• The band is made up of siblings Ross Lynch, Riker Lynch, Rocky Lynch, Rydel Lynch and non-sibling Ellington Ratlif.
• R5 has released two EPs a full-length album, and their second full-length album will drop this Sept.
• No, they don't only sing about Ring Pops. Singles "Loud," "Pass Me By," "(I Can't) Forget About You," and "Heart Made Up On You" have absolutely nothing to do with confections that double as glamorous accessories.
• In 2007, The Lynch family relocated from Littleton, CO to Los Angeles to support Riker's dreams of stardom.
• The Lynch siblings and Ellington first crossed paths in an L.A. dance studio.
• Yup, they can dance, too: In 2009, Ellington, Ross, Riker, Rocky, and non-R5er Ryland Lynch appeared on So You Think You Can Dance. But they weren’t performing an R5 song, nor were they a part of the competition. They were members of the Rage Boyz crew.
• Ryland isn't in the band, but he is their manager.
• The Lynches aren’t the only dancers in the family: Julianne Hough and Derek Hough are their cousins.

Ellington and the Lynches don't stop at dancing and making music. They're also actors. Don't me as I fire up IMDB:

• Ross is a Disney Channel guy: He plays Austin on Austin & Ally and was in DCOM Teen Beach Movie.
• Riker had a recurring role on Glee as one of the Warblers.
• Rydel played a Vegas showgirl in the first episode of the short-lived ABC Family series Bunheads.
• Rocky was in an episode of TBS show Wedding Band.
• Ellington has appeared on Victorious and Raising Hope .

What else can this band of triple threats do? Do any of them boast any other talents? I don't know. I stopped researching before I found answers to those questions.

And that concludes this episode of What The Kids Are Listening To These Days. Tune in next time to watch me attempt to name every member of Fifth Harmony.

Image: CandyMania/YouTube