The Only Band In The World: Extended Edition

by Ryan Bird

This rare authorized book on the band, Twenty One Pilots written by author (and former Rock Sound Creative Director) Ryan Bird, the book has been produced with the approval of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, featuring a decade of stories and conversations, rare interviews, intimate and revealing features, as well as new material produced exclusively for this project. Featuring a forward by Josh and an afterword by Tyler, The Only Band In The World contains features and stories from the "Blurryface" and "Trench" eras, an exclusive chapter detailing the journey of "Scaled and Icy", extensive interviews carried out during the creation of "Clancy" as well as the never-before-told story of the band's cover of My Chemical Romance's "Cancer" plus much more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Biography

280 pages, Hardcover

Published August 11, 2025

Reviews

[Cammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although there a lot of lines that were so meaningful and inspiring throughout this book, one in particular stood out to me.

“As much as the band continues to get bigger, I still get the feeling that a lot of people think of us as their band,” Josh adds. “It’s like we’re still some kind of secret, and I like that. To be at the level we’re at and for people to still feel that way about us - for them to feel like we are something they discovered and own a piece of - is really special.”

As some who has been a fan of the band since 2013 (also age 13 at the time), I do feel that this band is still my secret. My special, hidden treasure that everyone else is missing out on.

But yet, thousands and thousands of people go to their shows and listen to their music every day.

They have a unique ability to reach every single fan with their music and make them feel like they belong.

Thank you, Ryan, for this beautiful book. It was a story that needed to be told.

[Summer Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a twenty one pilots fan so there was a slim chance I wouldn't like this book and admit I am entirely biased about this book because of that. I thought this was such a lovely deep dive into the thoughts and emotions behind Tyler and Josh over the years. I also loved the specific look into their cover of Cancer as I feel that song/moment in time doesn't get talked about enough. I hope someday there may even be a sequel book that follows the band into the next ten years or so. Either way, a truly lovely story for any lover of TOP. I am so glad to live in a time where there is a book dedicated entirely about my favorite band. How lucky we are!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

tyler + josh 4ever

"At the end of the day, we're not tricking anybody. There isn't a room full of people behind a curtain. For better or worse, everything you get is us." (131)

"It isn't always loud, and it isn't always easy to find, but it's there. It means something, and as long as it continues to mean something, it's going to live forever." (144)

What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned over the last two years?
TYLER: "You will never find the right pants. I feel like we're never going to find them, so we should all just stop — they do not exist." (206)

[♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was never gonna be anything other than five stars 😭
damn this was so good. the cancer chapter made me cry so thanks ig

[Maddi Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Only Band in the World by Ryan Bird offers a fresh and authentic perspective on the magic of Twenty One Pilots. As someone who has grown up loving this band, I already considered myself a devoted fan, but this book deepened my appreciation for Tyler and Josh even more. They have created a universe through their music and lyrics that resonates with millions around the globe, all while maintaining a rare sense of humility and privacy.

One of the things this book highlighted for me was just how little personal information is available about them and how intentional that is. In today’s world, where a quick Google search can reveal everything about A, B, and C list celebrities, Tyler and Josh have managed to stay elusive. The book explores how this intentional mystery contributes to the self-fulfilling and deeply personal nature of their music career.

The author delves into the band’s journey from Vessel to Scaled and Icy, providing new insights into the latter album. Many of us saw Scaled and Icy as just another incredible release, but learning about the growth and experimentation that went into it gave me a deeper appreciation for their artistry.

** However, I do want to give a fair warning: this book does not dive into the lore of Trench or Dema as much as some fans might expect. TikTok gave the impression that it would, but this isn’t that kind of book. Instead, it focuses on interviews, personal insights, and reflections from the author. **

One chapter that truly resonated with me was the one discussing “Cancer.” As someone grieving the loss of a close friend to cancer less than two months ago, this chapter hit me on a deeply personal level. The song “Cancer” was one I avoided while my friend was battling the illness, but I eventually listened to it as a way to better understand what my friend might have been feeling. Learning about Ryan Bird’s own experience with his lingering tumor added another layer of depth to my emotions, helping me process my grief in a new way.

I’m incredibly grateful to Ryan Bird for giving us this heartfelt glimpse into the world of Twenty One Pilots that we all have built and of course, to Josh and Tyler for all they continue to do for us.

[megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this band with every fiber of my heart. they will never know how much they have helped me and carried me throughout my life. forever grateful to them. and so proud of them. onto breach! |-/

[Nathan Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the best place to go if you want to intimate understanding of the ethos of twenty one Pilots as a band and Tyler Joesph as an artist. It isn’t a deep dive into the lore. It isn’t a musical analysis of their artistry. It isn’t even strictly a chronological account of the band’s history. It is, just as the subtitle says, conversations and stories with Tyler and Josh.

The title of this first and so far only authorized book on the band isn’t arrogance; it’s a quote from a fan before the band “blew up,” and it reflects how impactful this band, which is truly singular in more than one way, has been from its onset. They are the only band in the world not because of success or fame but because of the messages they communicate in deeply layered and relatable ways.

This book collected articles new and old written by a single interviewer, Ryan Bird, and the book manages to maintain a strong sense of narrative despite being a collection of interviews and articles. You get an impression of the band’s development and identity and the growing relationship between the band and Ryan (who is quite clearly not just an interviewer but also an enormous fan of the band and their artistry). The interviews give the book a very conversational feeling, almost as if the interviews are happening right in front of you.

One of the books most prominent flaws is its formatting and editing. The author admits that writing has never been his strong suite nor even something that he enjoys, and because this book is a personal passion project it could not afford serious editing, and so there are many glaring typos and some strange formatting choices. These flaws, however, are minimal when you are able to walk away with such an intimate grasp on how Tyler and Josh think and create.

Whether you’re new to the band or are a seasoned clikkie, this book will let you know this humble duo in ways few other options allow. It is a compelling look into what makes twenty one pilots such a special band, what makes them for many the only band in the world.

Stay strong. Live on. Pass on these songs (and this book about them). |-/

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh I just love this band so much, you guys. These essays were incredible to read!

[Audrey (Loki's version) ⊬ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am so grateful for this book omggg

How often is it that people like them are written about like this? 🫶🏻 reading about the process with creating albums, their views on their popularity, and the QUOTES !! I live for the quotes oh my gosh 😭❤️‍🩹

loving them is like breathing <3 i liked how Josh mentioned how us fans still refer to them as "our band" because it was so cute and its also soo true 🥹 I haven't been a fan since the beginning of time. Which is kind of a disadvantage sometimes. I was lucky enough to see them live twice in 2024, but those are the only concerts of theirs I've ever been too. I worry sometimes that being only a "recent fan" has robbed me of so many opportunities as a clikkie. That's one of the reasons this book makes me so happy. It's obvious that Tyler and Josh are so grateful for every single listener and every single fan. I love being a clikkie so so so so much. I've actually made several friends through this band 🫂🫂🫂 I think the clique understands each other in a lot of ways <3 I know I've always been a part of this group and always will be. Die-hard fan doesn't even begin the describe it 🌻

Twenty one pilots is my eve-ry-thing !!! (my youtube friends know this well 🥹) I love Ty & Josh too much. Tyler is so beautiful with his words and he speaks to my heart in all of his songs. Josh is the backbone, and without his pure awesomeness this world would be a lot different. Josh always has the right words and its obvious in interviews where he makes everyone laugh and can also really discuss tough things. Also he's torchbearer, and i can't even BEGIN to describe how important torchbearer is. And Tyler ahhhhhh Tyler Joseph I love Tyler Joseph guys 🤗 he really just UNDERSTANDS. I admire his strength and his ability to say so much stuff that's hard to say in his songs ☹️ I legit will probably make one of his quotes my senior quote in highschool. he's also everyones favorite cat- I mean Clancy, son of the red warrior. Clancy is so important to me. like I am Clancy, Clancy is me 🙏 um yeah i have a lot more to say but i dont know how to put it into words. If that makes sense. And i especially don't know how to put it into words that someone wants to read. Twenty one pilots is my favorite band and artist ever ever ever i could never love anyone as much as I love them ☺️ they make me happy.

Yeah if you like tøp read this book <3

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

if yall know anything about me, you know just how much i love twenty one pilots. like i'm literally doing my senior project about them and i have a tattoo of the band's logo on my wrist lol. i adore the boys more than anything in this world and getting to see their growth over the past 9/10 years has been insane and i've loved every second of it. if i could go back in time and tell 12/13 year old sarah that she would still be just as, if not more, obsessed with twenty one pilots as a 22 year old, i don't think she'd believe me. however, there will always be a part of me that feels like they're my own little secret, no matter how famous they get or how many sold out shows they play. they truly are the only band in the world (at least to me).

tyler and josh, i love you with everything i am and i will never be able to express just how much you've saved me and made me the person i am today. i am eternally grateful for you both, you'll always be my absolute favorites <333

[blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

RYAN BIRD GETS IT !!!!!!!
its so refreshing to see THE most important band ive ever come across in my life deservedly recognised and appreciated
but im also personally grateful for the attention that ryan draws to the fanbase and their huge role in tøp's story . we are twenty one pilots and so are you !!!!!

[Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

"[...] living inside that bubble of being a Twenty One Pilots fan. It's a really cool place to be."

[Stella Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the best part of this book was The Vault. It gave a much more diverse perspective on the band as a whole while I feel like the rest of the book discusses mainly how the two deal with fame and success. While all of it was incredibly interesting and enjoyable I would’ve loved to hear more about the lore and more specific details regarding everything. Maybe they don’t want to give too much away but they tend to speak very vaguely and generally about everything and personally I would’ve loved a deeper dive than this book provided.

[Nikolette Scruggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ryan beautifully captured the personality of this band and each of its members. As a long time fan I felt completely immersed in the intimate conversations that were laid out on these pages. It is clear that Tyler and Josh attract and befriend people who truly understand them, their art, and their vision behind TØP. I wish I could go back and read this book for the first time again.

[Jessica Greenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love you twenty one pilots

[Ellen Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been wanting to read this book for so long and I’m so happy I was able to get my hands on it.

I love Twenty One Pilots 😭 it was so good to read about their journeys through the interviews.

[ghaliah majid · Rating 4 out of 5]

warning: biased rating !!!! ⚠️

What makes tøp different to most artists in this day and age is is that every song feels like it’s written for us instead of trying to fit to the masses. They don’t just make music to chase numbers, they put words to the things their fans are feeling, and that’s why the connection runs so deep ❤️ I could NOT believe that breach ranked number 1 when it was first released ESPECIALLY going head to head against huge artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Ed Sheeran. ED SHEERAN!! I think twenty one pilots were as shocked since Tyler even tweeted “if you only knew how many industry people are confused right now”😭😭😭!!!

Twenty One Pilots hit No. 1 with Breach not because they’re bigger than Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, or Sabrina Carpenter, but because their fans show up in a way most artists can only dream of. Unlike all the huge pop stars listed above, tøp write what feels real to them and what they know their fans will connect with, instead of focusing on mainstream sounds and creating a record for the radio first not the listener. |-/

some of my favourite quotes ❤️‍🔥

“I was worried for a little while there, about whether or not I was going to be able to write that hit song that everyone is looking for, but then I realised that I didn’t have to write a hit song: I only have to write the right song for the fan base of twenty one pilots. Those are the people I want to talk to, and who I want to share what I’m going through with.”

- Tyler Joseph

“Music doesn’t behave the way that everything else does. It echoes; it resonates and bounces off of things. It’s the source of a million tiny stories being formed at once. At any given moment, somebody somewhere is hearing something we created and it is having a genuine impact on their day, their month or maybe even their whole life. That is irreplaceable. That is what makes me so grateful to that we do what we do. It isn’t always loud and it isn’t always easy to find, but it’s there and it means something. As long as it continues to mean something, it’s going to live forever.”

- Tyler Joseph

“As much as the band continues to get bigger, I still get the feeling that a lot of people think of us as their band. It’s like we’re still some kind of secret, and I like that. To be at the level we’re at and for people to still feel that way about us – for them to feel like we are something they discovered and own a piece of – is really special.”

- Josh Dun

“When we say that blurryface belongs to the fans, we can back that up. Blurryface was inspired by faces; people I was hoping to reach in some way.“

- Tyler Joseph

“It’s almost inevitable that at some point people will talk about us and be like ‘Remember in 2016, when they had that really big song on the radio?.’”

- Tyler Joseph

[Autumn Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

the rating of this book was never going to be anything other than 5 stars from me. twenty one pilots has been my whole world for the past 9 - approaching 10 - years, and when I heard that a book would be coming out following Ryan bird's series of interviews and interactions with them, there was no doubt I was going to buy it for myself. I will be forever grateful for what their music has given me. Ryan was right - even if it may not seem like it outwardly, twenty one pilots really is the only band in the world.

[Papaslieblingskind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich habe:
geweint, gelacht, gegiggelt, meinen Freund*innen nichts anderes mehr als von Twenty One Pilots erzählt, alle Alben parallel gehört, dem Autor eine DM geschrieben (auf die er geantwortet hat), über die Pandemie nachgedacht, mich reflektiert, mich der Band und den Fans näher gefühlt als je zuvor, Krebs verflucht, mir viele neue Fragen gestellt, mich für Josh und Tyler gefreut und vorallem das Phänomen dieser Band nochmal mehr lieben gelernt.
We are Twenty One Pilots, and so are you
Stay alive |-/

[Maddie Coe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great book that brought Tyler and Josh to life. They are so talented and it was really cool to peel the curtain back. Their songs, every lyric and every sound, are in my bones and now I feel as though I know a bit more about the people behind the performance. Behind Clancy and the Torchbearer.

[Annah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more information I receive about Twenty One Pilots and Tyler and Josh’s hearts for art, the prouder I am to be an active part of their community. For all the spiritual earnestness, creative freedom, and mental resiliency they represent, nothing could be more important to me; TØP is a mix of all of my passionate parts! 💛

[Carly Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! A very cool insight to the boys and their journey along the way. Ryan did an amazing job at capturing who they are as people and vessels for the message they’re so passionate about sharing with their fans.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always will be my favorite band <3

[andrea]

no rating because i love that band too much to be able to rate this book objectively

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was less about Twenty One Pilots than it was about the author bragging about himself.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fun!!

[Caitlin Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this, a very earnestly made collection of interviews and records by my favourite band that just made me feel even more appreciative of them.

[Chris Burton]

SAI hate will not be tolerated

[shayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going into this book completely blind, I was pleasantly surprised by how much insight it gives into how Twenty One Pilots thinks and functions as a band. THIS IS NOT a lore focused book. It is interview based and walks through each album, all the way up to Scaled and Icy.

I’ll admit the writing itself isn’t very advanced, but the information is incredibly nostalgic. As a fan since 2013, it was amazing to look back on every small step the band took to become as the title says, “The Only Band In The World.”

Growing from a high school fangirl into an adult fan, reading about the struggles Tyler and Josh went through made me appreciate them even more. Learning about who they are beyond just performers added a lot of depth to the experience.

Overall, while the writing style may be simple and a bit repetitive at times, I’d definitely recommend this book to any Twenty One Pilots fan or anyone who wants to learn more about the boys as individuals rather than just the music.

[Caitlin Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say?? A whole book about my favorite band of all time? Stunning, all the stars.