The band started in 2003 when David Slade, then-bassist John Beachboard and drummer Matthew Quin moved to Little Rock from New York City.

Within their first year in Arkansas, they met guitarist Collins Kilgore and released their first album, We Are the People, on Max Recordings.

In 2004, after their first national tour, American Princes released their second album, Little Spaces, also on Max Recordings.

Since the release of Less and Less some of the bands American Princes have shared the stage with include The Flaming Lips, The Roots, Big Star, The Hold Steady, Spoon, De La Soul, Lucero, Catfish Haven, John Doe, The Apples in Stereo, and others.

American Princes' 2008 release Other People was voted #1 on Magnet Magazine's Best Albums of 2008 list.