The alternative duo Twenty One Pilots (made up of singer Tyler Joseph and drummer Josh Dun) are as famous for their quirky, self-referential humor as they are for their music. One of their most beloved and enduring “inside jokes” involves their refusal to tell the simple truth about how they met, instead inventing increasingly dramatic and absurd fictional backstories for every interview. This tradition has led to numerous viral clips, with the humor stemming entirely from the duo’s commitment to their “poker faces,” which often leave interviewers genuinely confused while their devoted fanbase (known as the Skeleton Clique) laughs knowing they are being lied to.
From Train Wrecks to Jailbirds: The Best Backstories
The band’s real story is straightforward—Joseph formed the band in 2009, and Dun joined him later—but the fictional accounts are far more engaging.
The Train Crash (Viral Clip): In one of the most famous examples, during an interview with the Norwegian talk show P3 Ruben in 2016, Tyler Joseph, with an intense, dead-serious expression, recounted a dramatic and tragic tale of their first meeting:
“Josh and I met in a tragic train accident. A train going east and a train going west collided. And we were the only survivors. We were in the same train car, holding onto each other, realizing that we’re meant to be together forever.”
Josh Dun maintains a perfectly straight face throughout the entire story, nodding gravely to affirm the fictional catastrophe, which left the interviewer trying to process the shocking revelation. In other interviews, they have claimed they met in prison or were part of a secret underground society. The narrative always serves to reinforce the theatrical, often dark themes of their music.
The Context: An Anti-Celebrity Stance
This running gag is a crucial part of the band’s public persona, reflecting their general stance against the manufactured nature of celebrity and the often repetitive, boring questions of the press junket. This prank became particularly popular around the time of their breakthrough Blurryface (2015) album, which featured massive hits like “Stressed Out” and “Ride.” The pranks served as a comedic shield, preventing the press from getting too close to their real personal lives.
Fan Connection: By relying on these recurring lies, Twenty One Pilots strengthens the bond with the Skeleton Clique. Fans feel included in the “secret” and anticipate the new, outlandish origin story, turning a simple press interaction into a shared inside joke. Tyler Joseph’s dramatic flair combined with Josh Dun’s unparalleled ability to maintain a deadpan expression is what makes this simple interview trick a beloved and signature piece of Twenty One Pilots lore.
The video of the train crash story is a fan favorite!