Depeche Mode, Common, A Tribe Called Quest, Deftones, Linkin Park, Lupe Fiasco, Eminem, Kanye West, Beastie Boys, Slipknot and Rage Against the Machine all denied use of their songs in the film.
The opening line of the movie "As I left school that Tuesday afternoon with no ride and a lost bus pass, I had only two things on my mind: Kroozin Music and Rage Against the Machine", is a play on the first line from The Outsiders written by S.E Hinton. In her book, the opening line reads "When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home."
Most characters are named after famous '90s music or movie icons. Zack is named after Zack De La Rocha - lead singer of Rage Against the Machine. Phil is named after Phil Anselmo - lead singer of Pantera. Marilyn is named after Marilyn Manson and Mallory is named after the character from Natural Born Killers.
Jade is named after the AOL screen name used by writer/director Jack Marchetti's fiancé when they met in 1997.
Emily, the four year old girl at the end, is the niece of writer/director Jack Marchetti.