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Against Me
Against Me is the punk rock group from Naples, Florida that started off as one guy on the street corner with an acoustic guitar. In 1997 Tom Gabel started a solo effort. He was just 16 at the time, but he tried unsuccessfully to market a demo tape, whose title would later become the name of the band. Gabel's second attempt had the backing of Misanthrope Records and included a more complete group, but fell again on deaf ears. It was not until Against Me tickets were selling that fans began listening to the old tracks.
By 2001, Against Me had gathered enough members to be considered a proper band. Gabel, the lead singer and guitarist, was joined by Kevin Mahon on drums. The two released two EPs before Mahon left. The next group lineup included Gabel, Dustin Fridkin on bass, Warren Oakes on drums, and James Bowman on guitar. Reinventing Axl Rose became Against Me's first full length album. It signaled an important change in direction by beginning to use electric instruments. Fridkin left the group and the final member, Andrew Seward was added as the bassist. Against Me concert tickets were entertaining for the group's sarcastic approach to their stage show and continued experimentation that sometimes included a horn section.
As the Eternal Cowboy, the second full length record was released on the group's third label, Fat Wreck Chords, in 2003. The group had again made a musical move by becoming undeniably more punk. As the band continued to play with their sound, Against Me tickets became more popular. Searching for a Former Clarity became the third full length release in 2005 and led to their signing with Sire Records.
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Under the umbrella of the Warner Bros. music label via Sire Records, Against Me released a live album, Americans Abroad!!! They followed the 2006 live album with a new studio album, New Wave. Though some fans abandoned the group for signing with a major label, many more became acquainted with the group and began to drive the demand for Against Me tickets on their tour schedule. The group even had the honor of supporting the Foo Fighters in early 2008 on their North American tour.
