Against Me!

Infobox musical artist
Name = Against Me!

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Img_capt = Against Me! playing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2007.
Landscape = Yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Gainesville, Florida, United States
Genre = Folk punk Punk rock
Years_active = 1997–present
Label = Misanthrope Records Crasshole Records Plan It X No Idea Sabot Productions Fat Wreck Chords Sire/Warner Bros. Records
URL = [http://www.againstme.net/ Official website]
Current_members = Tom Gabel Andrew Seward James Bowman Warren Oakes
Past_members = Dustin Fridkin Kevin Mahon

Against Me! is a punk rock band formed in 1997 in Naples, Florida. Their first full-length album, released on No Idea Records in 2002, is "Reinventing Axl Rose". They have released music on Misanthrope Records, Crasshole Records, Plan It X Records, Sabot Productions, No Idea Records, and Fat Wreck Chords. In December 2005, they signed with Sire Records, and released their major label debut, "New Wave", on July 10, 2007.

Biography

Earlier years (1997–2000)

Tom Gabel (born November 8, 1980), started the band at age 16 as a solo act with vocals and acoustic guitar. He would only occasionally perform with backup from drummers or bassists. Gabel put out one demo tape by himself, officially entitled "Against Me!", but more commonly known as "Tom's First Demo". While copies of the cassette itself are extremely rare, Internet file-sharing programs help to circulate the songs amongst fans.

Another demo cassette was released the following year on Misanthrope Records, with a slightly more complete band, titled "Vivida Vis!". Only five hundred copies of this album were made, but file-sharing once again popularized it. Perhaps the most well known song on the record, "Shit Stroll," is still routinely requested by the audience at Against Me! shows. Against Me! rarely, if ever, obliges these requests. Gabel summarized his feelings on this subject in a 2007 interview with Racket Magazine writer Aaron Hale: [ [http://www.racketmag.com/interview_againstme2.html Racket Magazine ] ]

NO ONE fucking liked us. (laughs) No one! Our first year of shows was just like us showing up, me and Kevin and unloading my acoustic guitar, and Kevin unloading his drums; which was like this weird home made kit, and people were like "What the fuck is this?" and making fun of us. No one liked us at first, and now there's all these people saying "I've loved you since (Vivida Vis)." “No, you didn't. No one liked us when (Vivida Vis) was around. I was there at the shows! There were TEN people there, what are you talking about? I know you weren't there."

...

[It's] awesome to play something that would make somebody happy to hear. But sometimes there are songs that we don't necessarily play anymore, and when people ask for 'em it's like "God, we don't want to play them anymore." An example would be the song (Burn) (chuckles) we uh, we don't play it anymore and it's like "Hm... sorry." (laughs)

Next, a self-titled, vinyl-only 12" EP surfaced on the ill-fated Crasshole Records in 2000. Due to a mastering error, only 150 copies were ever officially released.

"Reinventing Axl Rose" (2001–2002)

In 2001, Against Me! - now chiefly Gabel on guitar and Kevin Mahon on drums - celebrated their first widely successful release in "Crime as Forgiven By". The four song 7" and six song CD-EP was joint-released on Plan-It-X Records and Sabot Productions. The 7" came first; the CD that followed included two bonus tracks: "Impact", which remains a staple of live shows, and "Burn", which has been more or less disowned by the band.

After "Crime", a four-song acoustic 7" was released. While technically untitled, the album is most commonly referred to as "The Acoustic EP", or less commonly as the "Jordan's First Choice EP". In a similar manner as "Crime", this record was re-released as a CD-EP with two extra songs. It contains no electric guitar or drums; only Gabel's acoustic guitar and bass by Dustin Fridkin.

Shortly after the release of "The Acoustic EP", Against Me!'s lineup shifted when Mahon officially left the band. Warren Oakes took Mahon's place, and James Bowman joined the band as a second guitarist.

"Reinventing Axl Rose" is the band's first full-length album. The album features five brand new tracks; the other six were re-recorded from their original appearances on "Crime" and "The Acoustic EP". This album was considered a shift because of the addition of electric guitars, and a full band. The title track and "Baby, I'm an Anarchist!" earned significant notoriety in punk rock circles and began to spread Against Me! to a larger fan base, a fan base that would prove difficult to please with their next few releases.

After "Axl Rose", Against Me!'s lineup changed once again. Fridkin left the band, and was replaced on bass guitar by Andrew Seward. This lineup of Gabel, Oakes, Bowman, and Seward has remained constant since. Interestingly, the common set-up of the band at live shows features Gabel (the chief vocalist) stage right, while Seward takes center stage. In late 2002, a three-song EP entitled "The Disco Before The Breakdown" was released. The title track is a marked departure from the earlier sound, incorporating friends and musicians from their label, No Idea Records, as a horn section for the first time. "Tonight We're Gonna Give it 35%" shows the band's greatest transition towards a more rock sound that would carry the rest of their discography. "Beginning in an Ending" is the only track hearkening back to the band's earliest days, and even it was a change of pace.

"As the Eternal Cowboy" and "Searching for a Former Clarity" (2003–2005)

Their second full length album, "As the Eternal Cowboy", was released on Fat Wreck Chords. Gabel himself describes the album as sounding "more punk." This album also earned them their first single, "Sink, Florida, Sink". The divisive effect this record had on their fan base became the topic of their next release, a DVD entitled "We're Never Going Home".

"We're Never Going Home" is a tour documentary, produced by Jake Burghart of Transition Video Magazine. The DVD follows the band on a United States tour where they were literally offered "a million dollars to make a record" by Universal Records. The anticipation for their next album sent executives off to wine and dine the band with offers of fortune and fame. The video offers insight into how the band handled these offers and also gives a peek at what it's like to live life on the road with the band. It also features candid interviews with Fat Wreck Chords executives including Fat Mike, band members, Christopher Johnston of Plan-It-X, and fans. The DVD derives it's name from the final line of "Slurring the Rhythms," the fifth track off of "Eternal Cowboy".

In between these two releases, a demo was stolen from someone affiliated with the band at a joint Against Me!/Lucero show. The tracks were leaked to the Internet and some of the fan-given names included: "Miami," "How Low," "Joy," "Holy Shit," "Exhaustion", "Ed Is Sexy" and "Problems". When these songs appeared on Against Me!'s next album, they had the same names that were given to them on the demo by the band's listeners. This was a knowing snub to the thieves and an acknowledgment of the act on the part of Against Me!Fact|date=June 2008, a band generally known for their more lengthy and cryptic song titles.

This album "Searching for a Former Clarity" was released on September 6, 2005. It broke them into the mainstream, debuting at #114 on the "Billboard" charts. The band released a music video for the album's first single, "Don't Lose Touch", originally specifically for MySpace. The video can now be seen on the television music station Fuse. The band also performed the song on an episode of "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" which aired on September 30, 2005. "Don't Lose Touch" went on to air on the MTV 10 Spot on November 11, 2005.

In November 2005, the band released a 12" single for "Don't Lose Touch", which featured a remix of the song by Mouse On Mars on side A and the album version of the song on side B. They released another 12" single for "From Her Lips To God's Ears" on April 4, 2006, with a remix by Adrock of The Beastie Boys on side A, and the album version on side B. Both singles were released on Fat Wreck Chords.

On December 21, 2005, it was announced that the band had signed a deal with Sire Records. This decision alienated some of Against Me!'s longtime fans, who felt that the band finally signing to a major label betrayed their anarchistic ethics and longtime beliefs, but other fans remain supportive of the band's decision. [ [http://www.punknews.org/article.php?sid=14925 Punknews.org | Against Me! sign to Sire Records ] ] Against Me! has stated that a large factor in the decision to switch to Sire was the opportunity to work with Butch Vig, producer for Nirvana's "Nevermind".

"Americans Abroad!!!" and "New Wave" (2006–present)

Against Me! released their first live album (and last album before their 2007 Sire release) - titled "Americans Abroad!!! Against Me!!! Live in London!!!" - on August 22, 2006. The album was recorded at the Mean Fiddler in London, England. It features one previously unreleased song named "Americans Abroad".

Against Me! announced on [http://www.myspace.com/againstme their MySpace] on December 29, 2006 their debut album on Sire, "New Wave". The album is ten songs, stretching just over 30 minutes, and it was released on July 10, 2007. [ [http://www.punknews.org/article/23071 Punknews.org | Against Me! reveal release date, talk about new album ] ] It debuted at #57 on the "Billboard" 200 the week of its release. "Spin Magazine" magazine named it the best album of 2007. [ [http://www.spin.com/articles/album-year-against-me Album of the Year: Against Me! | Spin Magazine Online ] ] The record featured their first chart single, "Thrash Unreal", which hit #11 on the US Modern Rock chart. [ [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=558350&model.vnuAlbumId=952381 Billboard.com - Artist Chart History - Against Me! ] ]

On August 13, 2007, Gabel was charged with battery in Tallahassee, Florida for an incident in which Gabel allegedly entered into a confrontation with a cafe patron, resulting in Gabel allegedly bashing the man's head against a cafe table, but Gabel claims nothing happened, except for a spilled drink. Gabel was permitted to perform at Against Me!'s concert that night, but was taken into custody immediately after. He was released on a $500 bail the next morning. [http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070814/BREAKINGNEWS/70814012]

The band appeared on Late Night with Conan O' Brien for the second time on July 10, 2007, playing their single "Thrash Unreal", as well as appearing on The Late Show with David Letterman on August 29, 2007, playing the song "Stop!" AM! was also featured as MTV's artist of the week in December 2007. Throughout this time many songs off of New Wave were played in show previews and credits.

Ben Lee released his own tribute cover of the whole album on his website, and performed selections from it on his late 2007 tour of the United States.

In early 2008, the band supported the Foo Fighters on their American tour. During this tour, they also played three shows in smaller venues separate from the Foo Fighters tour to support the Harvest of Hope Foundation. All proceeds from these shows went directly to the organization. [ [http://www.undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=3821 Undercover - Against Me Support Foo Fighters ] ]

In May 2008, Rolling Stone named Against Me! "Best Punk Band" [ [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/20274088/best_punk_band_against_me Best Punk Band: Against Me! : Rolling Stone ] ] on a list entitled "The 125-Plus People, Places and Things Ruling the Rock & Roll Universe". [ [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/20200609/page The 125-Plus People, Places and Things Ruling the Rock & Roll Universe : Rolling Stone ] ]

In April 2008, the band filmed a PSA for Rock the Vote about the issues that are important to them and why they vote. [Against Me! Rocks the Vote http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gswxseavLfk]

On June 19, 2008, they performed "Up the Cuts" on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The band spent the Summer on the Warped Tour for the second time. They will tour Canada in September with Japanther and The Saint Alvia Cartel, and the United States in October with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists and Future of the Left. Gabel will then briefly tour solo with Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music, Ben Nichols of Lucero, and Tim Barry of Avail. The band will briefly tour France, where the New Wave album was recently released for the first time as a deluxe edition, in December, [ [http://www.againstme.net/am.php/shows/index] ] and will head into the studio to record a New Wave follow-up in early 2009.Fact|date=August 2008

Members

Current

* Tom Gabel– guitar, lead vocals, (1997–present)
* James Bowman – guitar, vocals (2000–present)
* Andrew Seward – bass, vocals (2002–present)
* Warren Oakes – drums (2001–present)

Former

* Dustin Fridkin – bass, vocals (2001–2002)
* Kevin Mahon – drums (1998–2001)

Featured guests

* Jason Rutcofsky (High School Football Heroes) – tenor saxophone (Warped Tour 2006)
* Dave Solomon (High School Football Heroes) – trombone (Warped Tour 2006)
* George Argyrou (High School Football Heroes) – trumpet (Warped Tour 2006)
* Tegan Quin (Tegan and Sara) – vocals ("Borne on the FM Waves of the Heart" on "New Wave")
* Genevieve Tremblay (Fifth Hour Hero) – vocals ("How Low" on "Searching for a Former Clarity")
* Derron Nuhfer (Less Than Jake, Gunmoll, Escape Grace, Cutman) – baritone saxophone ("Disco Before The Breakdown" on the EP "The Disco Before the Breakdown")
* Ben Furner (The Travelling Sacks / Jerks) – saxophone (on the song "Disco Before The Breakdown" during a live performance in Adelaide, South Australia on September 16, 2004)

Discography

tudio albums

* "Reinventing Axl Rose" - 2002, No Idea Records
* "As the Eternal Cowboy" - 2003, Fat Wreck Chords (#36 Independent Albums)
* "Searching for a Former Clarity" - 2005, Fat Wreck Chords (#114 US, #1 Heatseeker, #9 Independent Albums)
* "New Wave" - 2007, Sire Records (#57 US)

Live albums

* "Americans Abroad!!! Against Me!!! Live in London!!!" - 2006, Fat Wreck Chords

EPs

* "Against Me! EP" - 2000, Crasshole Records
* "Crime as Forgiven By" - 2001, Plan-It-X Records (CD)/Sabot Productions (7")
* "The Acoustic EP" - 2001, Sabot Productions
* "The Disco Before the Breakdown" - 2002, No Idea Records
* "New Wave B-Sides" - 2008

Demo Tapes

* "Against Me! (Tom's First Demo)" - 1997, self released
* "Vivida Vis!" - 1998, self released
* "Against Me! 7 Song Cassette" - 2000, self released

ingles

* "Cavalier Eternal" 7" - 2004, No Idea Records
* "Sink, Florida, Sink" 7" - 2005, No Idea Records
* "Don't Lose Touch" 12" - 2005
* "From Her Lips to God's Ears (The Energizer)" 12" - 2006
* "White People for Peace" 7" - 2007, Sire Records
* "Thrash Unreal" 7" - 2007 Pre-order Exclusive - (#11 US Modern Rock, [cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=558350&model.vnuAlbumId=952381 |publisher=Billboard charts |title=Chart details ] #51 Canada)
* "White People for Peace" 12" - 2007, Sire Records
* "Stop!" 7" - 2008, Sire Records(#27 US Modern Rock, #78 Canada)
* "New Wave" 7" - 2008. Sire Records

Compilation appearances

* "We're Here to Ruin Your Fun" Cassette/Newspaper - 1998, Crasshole Records (songs: "National Myth" and "Burning Bridges")
* "Experiments In Audio Rocketry" CD - 2003, 1234 Go! Records (song: "Untitled")
* "Nice Guys Finish Last" CD - 2003, Nice Guy Records (song: "Baby, I'm an Anarchist!")
* "Go-Kart MP300 Raceway" CD - 2003, Go Kart Records (songs: "Pints of Guinness Make You Strong" and "Reinventing Axl Rose")
* "Against Police Injustice,(song: "Baby, I'm an Anarchist!") Non Commercial, 2003.
* "The Shape Of Flakes To Come" CD - 2003, No Idea Records (song: "Pints of Guinness Make You Strong")
* "Anti-Floyd - The Terrier State" CD - 2004, Fat Wreck Chords (song: "Cliche Guevara")
* "Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1" CD - 2004, Fat Wreck Chords (song: "Sink, Florida, Sink (Electric)")
* "Rock Against Floyd" CD - 2005, Fat Wreck Chords (song: "Problems")
* "" CD - 2005, Fat Wreck Chords (song: "Wagon Wheel")
* "MySpace Records Volume 1" CD - 2005, MySpace Records (song: "Don't Lose Touch")
* "Take Action! Vol. 4 (Disc 1)" CD - 2005, Sub-City/Hopeless Records (song: "You Look Like I Need a Drink")
* "Throw Up Your Horns: A Compilation To Benefit Rhino's (Disc 2)" CD - 2005, independently released by Rhino's All Ages Club (song: "Cliche Guevara")
* "Punk Rock Mix Tape 2006" CD - 2006, Fastmusic (song: "Problems")
* "" CD - 2006, 1234 Go! Records (song: "Bastards Of Young")
* "2006 Warped Tour Compilation" CD - 2006, Side One Dummy (song: "From Her Lips To God's Ears (The Energizer)")
* "iFloyd" Download - 2006, Fat Wreck Chords (song: "Pints of Guinness Make You Strong (Live)")
* "Take Action! Vol. 5 (Disc 2)" CD - 2006, Sub-City Records (song: "Don't Lose Touch")
* "" CD - 2006, Asbestos Records (song: "Don't Lose Touch (Live at WCSU)")
* "Remember Your Roots" CD - 2006, Twelve Stepper Records (songs: "Take Aim" and "Clap, Clap")
* "Fat X-Mas Bonus" Download - 2006, Fat Wreck Chords (song: "Don't Lose Touch (acoustic)")
* "Warped Tour 2008 Tour Compilation" - 2008, Side One Dummy (song: "New Wave")

DVDs

* "We're Never Going Home" - 2004, Fat Wreck Chords
* "Live At The Key Club" - 2007, Sire Records

References

External links

* [http://www.spin.com/articles/against-me-frontman-tom-gabels-web-video-series Against Me! Frontman Tom Gabel's Web Video Series]
* [http://www.againstme.net/ Official Against Me! website]
* [http://www.againstmeforum.com/ Unofficial Against Me! Forum]
* [http://www.thepunksite.com/interviews.php?page=againstme3 Interview with Andrew (2008)]
* [http://www.ishotyourband.com/w/againstme.html Against Me! live photos]
* [http://www.punknews.org/article/15414 Interview with Evan Greenblo for PunkNews.org just after Sire signing]
* [http://mammothpress.com/index.php?area=readinterview&pid=156 Interview with Tom Gabel]
* [http://www.truepunk.com/interviews/against_me/ Interview with Tom Gabel on TruePunk.com]
* [http://www.trashthestage.net/againstme07.html Trash The Stage interview with Tom]
* [http://www.latenightwallflower.com/site/2006/09/07/an-interview-with-tom-gabel-of-against-me/ Late Night Wallflower Interview with Tom]
* [http://www.thepunksite.com/media/thumbnails.php?album=101 Live Pictures in Toronto]
* [http://www.thepunksite.com/interviews.php?page=againstme Interview with Warren]
* [http://www.bandvibe.com/interview_againstme.asp Interview with Andrew] Warped Tour 2006
* [http://www.archive.org/details/AgainstMe Against Me! collection] at the Internet Archive's live music archive
* [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/againstme Against Me!] at Rolling Stone
* [http://www.thelibertymovement.com/againstme.html The Liberty Movement Zine - Interview with Tom]
* [http://www.grooveshark.com/blog/2007/12/08/against-me-interview/ Against Me! at Common Grounds, Gainesville Dec 07 Interview] with Grooveshark
* [http://netmusicdatabase.com/component/option,com_artisthome/Itemid,36/id,107/artist,Against_Me/ Against Me at The Internet Music Database]
* [http://www.altpress.com/specials/podcastdownload/AP_Podcast_10_Against_Me.m4a Interview with Against Me! on Alternative Press Podcast]
* [http://www.showmethesetlist.com/search2.php?artist=Against_Me! Against Me! Setlists]
* [http://www.concertbuzz.net/genres/hard-rock/against-me.html Concert Review]
* [http://www.pickrset.com/musicnews/951/interview+against+me+frontman+tom+gabel Interview with Tom Gabel]
* [http://blog.thesyn.com.s17153.gridserver.com/category/against-me Against Me! on The Syndicate Blog]