R5 is an American pop rock band. Formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2009, the band consists of Ross Lynch, Riker Lynch, Rocky Lynch, Rydel Lynch and Ellington Ratliff. They got the name 'R5' because all of their names begin with the letter 'R', except for Ellington. Ellington's last name is Ratliff. He is most commonly known as Ratliff to stick with the 'R' theme. Ellington met the Lynches at a dance school in Los Angeles in 2009. . In March 2010, they self-released an EP, Ready Set Rock. In April 2012, the band announced via their website that they had signed a record deal with Hollywood Records. R5's second extended play, Loud, was released on February 19, 2013. The band's first full-length album, Louder was released on September 24, 2013 and the album not only includes the four songs from Loud but also seven new songs.