Against Me!

Against Me! is a well-known American punk rock band that was initially formed in 1997 in Naples, Florida. The band was created by singer and guitarist Laura Jane Grace, who at the time was just starting to make waves in the punk rock world. Later that year, Grace relocated to Gainesville, Florida, a place that would come to be recognized as the band’s hometown. Over the years, the band has undergone various changes in its lineup, but since 2001, guitarist James Bowman has been a consistent member. The band made a significant impact with their early releases on independent record labels, and by 2007, they had signed with Sire Records, leading to the release of their album *New Wave*, which climbed to number 57 on the Billboard 200. In 2011, they took a step towards independence by launching their own record label, Total Treble. Laura Jane Grace’s public coming out as a trans woman in 2012 marked a pivotal moment in the band’s history, leading to a period of lineup changes and uncertainty. Despite this, their sixth studio album, *Transgender Dysphoria Blues*, was released independently in January 2014, earning both critical and commercial success. Their seventh album, *Shape Shift with Me*, followed on September 16, 2016. After this release, longtime bassist Andrew Seward rejoined the group in 2018, but plans for a new album were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to an indefinite hiatus for the band.

History

1997–2002: The Early Years and *Reinventing Axl Rose*

Against Me! began as a solo project by Laura Jane Grace in 1997, during a time when she was dealing with the dissolution of her previous bands. The first release under the Against Me! name was a self-titled demo tape in 1997, produced in very limited quantities. The following year, with the addition of drummer Kevin Mahon, another demo titled *Vivida Vis!* was released by Misanthrope Records, again in limited numbers. March 1999 marked the band’s first tour, a month-long journey up and down the East Coast. During this tour, they met Jordan Kleeman in Baltimore, Maryland, which led to the production of their first EP, *Against Me!*, which was released twice by Crasshole Records in 1999 and 2000. Grace’s friend James Bowman joined the band for a tour of the West Coast in support of the EP, a tour that unfortunately ended in the engine of Grace’s 1976 Buick LeSabre exploding. Their first widely distributed release, *Crime as Forgiven by Against Me!*, was released in 2001 through Plan-It-X Records and Sabot Productions. Although neither Bowman nor bassist Dustin Fridkin participated in recording the EP, they both joined the band on tour to support it. In April 2001, the band’s van was struck by a semi-truck on I-75, causing the vehicle to land upside-down in a ditch. While no one was harmed, the accident destroyed the van and equipment, leading to the departure of Bowman and Mahon, and a brief breakup for the band. However, a new EP, a self-titled acoustic recording by Grace and Fridkin, was released in November 2001. Eventually, Mahon was replaced by Warren Oakes, and Bowman returned in December 2001 during the recording of the band’s first full-length album, *Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose*, which was released in March 2002 by No Idea Records. Fridkin left the band in the summer of 2002 to return to college, and Andrew Seward of the Tennessee band kill devil hills was brought in as the new bassist. This lineup recorded the single “The Disco Before the Breakdown” in 2002, and remained together until 2009.

2003–2006: *As the Eternal Cowboy* and *Searching for a Former Clarity*

In 2003, Against Me! signed with Fat Wreck Chords and released their second album, *Against Me! as the Eternal Cowboy*. The album achieved moderate success, reaching number 36 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart. The singles “Cavalier Eternal” and “Sink, Florida, Sink” were released in support of the album, further cementing the band’s growing reputation. The band’s success was documented in the DVD *We’re Never Going Home*, which captured their Spring 2004 tour. Their third album, *Searching for a Former Clarity*, released in 2005, marked the band’s first appearance on the Billboard 200, debuting at number 114. This album was supported by a rigorous tour schedule, including a tour of all 50 U.S. states. Singles from this album, such as “Don’t Lose Touch” and “From Her Lips to God’s Ears (The Energizer)”, were accompanied by the band’s first music videos. In 2006, they released a live album titled *Americans Abroad!!! Against Me!!! Live in London!!!* which further showcased the band’s energetic performances and growing fan base.

2007–2010: *New Wave* and *White Crosses*

2007 marked a significant year for Against Me! as they signed with Sire Records and released the album *New Wave*, produced by the renowned Butch Vig. This album marked their highest entry on the Billboard 200, debuting at number 57. The single “Thrash Unreal” became their first charting single, reaching number 11 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart. Other singles from the album included “White People for Peace”, “Stop!”, and “New Wave”. The album received widespread acclaim and was named Spin’s Album of the Year. Following the success of *New Wave*, the band released a live DVD, *Live at the Key Club*, and embarked on a North American tour supporting Foo Fighters in 2008. However, during a tour in October 2008, the band’s tour bus hit a patch of ice on I-80, causing it to spin and land on its side in a ditch. Fortunately, no one was injured. Later that year, the band partnered with Rock the Vote for the 2008 presidential election. In June 2009, longtime drummer Warren Oakes departed from the band to focus on his restaurant business, and was replaced by Hot Water Music drummer George Rebelo. Fat Wreck Chords released *The Original Cowboy*, an album of demo recordings from the *Against Me! as the Eternal Cowboy* sessions, in July 2009. Against Me!’s next album, *White Crosses*, was released on June 8, 2010, supported by singles like “I Was a Teenage Anarchist”, “White Crosses”, and “High Pressure Low”. The album became the band’s highest-charting album to date, reaching number 34 on the Billboard 200. However, just before a planned tour of Australia and New Zealand, the band suddenly canceled all touring plans, citing a need to take time off to sort things out. In November 2010, Against Me! announced their departure from Sire Records.

2011–2017: *Transgender Dysphoria Blues* and *Shape Shift with Me*

In 2011, Laura Jane Grace expressed a desire to release at least one album per year for the next decade, leading to the formation of the band’s own record label, Total Treble. The band released *Black Crosses*, a collection of demos and alternate versions of songs from *White Crosses*, in July 2011. Grace also built a recording studio in Elkton, Florida, named Total Treble Studio, where the band began working on future projects. The studio’s first client was the band Cheap Girls, who recorded their album *Giant Orange* there. In May 2012, Laura Jane Grace publicly came out as transgender, having dealt with gender dysphoria since childhood. This revelation led to a major shift in the band’s dynamic and the theme of their sixth studio album, *Transgender Dysphoria Blues*, which was an autobiographical account of Grace’s experience as a trans woman. The album was recorded at Total Treble Studio, with Grace serving as both recording engineer and producer. Drummer Jay Weinberg departed from the band in December 2012, and was replaced by Atom Willard. Bassist Andrew Seward also left the band in May 2013, leading Grace to consider disbanding the group. However, she ultimately decided to continue with the band, driven by the message of the upcoming album. *Transgender Dysphoria Blues* was released on January 21, 2014, and received widespread acclaim for its raw and honest portrayal of Grace’s experiences. The album reached number 23 on the Billboard 200, making it the band’s highest-charting album to date. Following the album’s release, the band embarked on a tour, which was documented in the live album *23 Live Sex Acts*, released on September 4, 2015. In July 2016, the band announced the release of their seventh studio album, *Shape Shift with Me*, which was released on September 16, 2016. The album explored themes of love and relationships from a trans perspective and received positive reviews from both fans and critics. In October 2017, Against Me! played a special show with former bassist Dustin Fridkin for the first time since his departure from the band in 2002, marking a significant moment in the band’s history.

2018–2020: Seward’s Return and the *2 Nights / 4 Records / 48 Songs* Tour

In May 2018, Against Me! played their final show with bassist Inge Johansson, and the following month, the band played an unannounced show at Trumbullplex in Detroit, MI. This show marked the return of Andrew Seward to the band, although no songs from *Shape Shift with Me* were performed. In July 2018, Laura Jane Grace confirmed via Instagram that Seward had officially rejoined the band. In October 2018, the band played two special shows on the eve of their South American tour, performing *As the Eternal Cowboy* and *New Wave* in their entirety. Around this time, Grace also announced that she had formed a new band, Laura Jane Grace & the Devouring Mothers, and had recorded an album titled *Bought to Rot*, which was released on November 9, 2018. Despite this new project, Grace confirmed that Against Me! was still continuing as a band, and that plans for an eighth studio album were still in place. The band recorded a cover of The Jim Carroll Band’s “People Who Died” for a 2018 compilation album in aid of mental health charities. This track was the first recording with Seward back as bassist since their 2011 single “Russian Spies / Occult Enemies”. In February 2019, the band began work on their eighth studio album, and in May 2019, they announced their *2 Nights / 4 Records / 48 Songs* tour. This North American tour featured two shows in each city, with the first show dedicated to performing *Searching for a Former Clarity* and *New Wave*, and the second show dedicated to *White Crosses* and *Transgender Dysphoria Blues*. The band’s final show to date was on March 12, 2020, at Port City Music Hall, making them the last band to ever perform at the venue before it closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020–Present: Hiatus

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Laura Jane Grace released a solo album titled *Stay Alive* in 2020, followed by an EP titled *At War with the Silverfish* in 2021. James Bowman began working as a guitar tech on tour with My Chemical Romance, while Andrew Seward formed a new duo called Nighttime Flyers and released a self-titled album independently in April 2022. Seward also joined As Friends Rust as a touring and session musician, performing on their 2023 album *Any Joy*. Drummer Atom Willard formed a new band called Plosivs, with members of Drive Like Jehu and Pinback. They released their debut self-titled album in March 2022. Willard also served as a touring drummer for both The Bronx and Worriers throughout 2022 and was announced as the new permanent drummer of Alkaline Trio in 2023. In February 2024, while promoting her second solo album *Hole in My Head*, Laura Jane Grace confirmed that Against Me! was still on hiatus as a result of the pandemic, stating that it had disrupted the band’s momentum and led to a period of burnout. Despite this, Grace remained optimistic that the band would reunite in the future after “reconnecting” at her wedding, expressing hope that they would start playing music again later in the year.

Band Members

Final Line-Up

• Laura Jane Grace – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1997–2020), bass (1997–2000, 2002, 2013), lead guitar (1997–2001)
• James Bowman – lead guitar, backing vocals (2000, 2000–2001, 2001–2020)
• Andrew Seward – bass, backing vocals (2002–2013, 2018–2020)
• Atom Willard – drums, percussion (2013–2020)

Former Members

• Kevin Mahon – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1998–2001)
• Dustin Fridkin – bass, backing vocals (2000–2002)
• Warren Oakes – drums, percussion (2001–2009)
• George Rebelo – drums, percussion (2009–2010)
• Jay Weinberg – drums, percussion (2010–2012)
• Inge Johansson – bass, backing vocals (2013–2018)