If you would ask me my feelings about this band 3 years ago... Here is what I would of said.
Against Me! are one of the most honest bands I have ever listened to. Their lyrics are something that is really moving and inspirational, and seeing them play in a basement with 50-100 kids crammed packed, every single kid dancing and singing along to the lyrics is something out of this world. You know you are in the grips of something amazing when you see this, and that's exactly what it felt like. This band would travel around the country, play anywhere they have to, just to play the music they love. I've never heard such down-to-earth politics come out of punk music before this band. This band saved punk rock for me.
Ask me now what I think of them? A lot has changed....
They are the definition of sell-out. They moved to Fat Wreck, stripped down their music, over-produced it, played shows WITH GREEN DAY, and overall sold out their once "honest" beliefs that I fell in love with. They got money shoved in their faces, and boom, their music changes, their attitudes change, and their lyrics changes. They are now doing everything they once sung they would never do. They are even taking away their first release from Plan-it-X records (A label I have been absolutely amazed with for the past 4-5 years), just because "they don't like how the label sells the record." Which, in non-bullshit lies terms means.. "We don't want our album to be sold for 5 dollars anymore." They are managed by the A&P VP at MCA for christs sake. They have videos on MTV2 and Fuse, and they have played on Conan. IMPACT my ass. It is extremely upsetting to see what this band used to be, and what they are now.
Then they have the guts to release a new album, which has songs saying how WE take things too seriously. A band who once put on the back of their album
"We make music because we are the best of friends, because we have something to say, and it helps to keep from drowning in dirty dirty cesspools of capitalism" Dear Against Me!, say hello to the Titanic for me. Maybe us older fans of your band dislike you more than "because we take it too seriously" Of course we took you seriously, how could we not? We were your most loyal fanbase. We drove 3 days to see you play in 3 different states.
With lyrics like
Maybe it's gonna come from the radio
Or the next 8 hour day
Driving to the next town
A collect call home to your best friend
We are the company we keep
We could live off of dumpsters if we have to
Sell our blood by the pint to make rent
This kind of dignity doesn't come easy
But you'll never find it for sale
They move to lyrics like
You know Justin? Well, Justin's dead.
And Yahoo won't let his family have access to his e-mail account,
The news reporter said:
"I feel so bad for you, it's so awkward.
There's really nothing I can say,
They have become nothing but another college frat boy punk rock band. Good Job Against Me! you were supposed to save punk from Anti-Flag, Pennywise, NOFX, Rancid, blah blah blah, NOT join them. YOU WERE THE CHOSEN ONE. You were supposed to bring balance to the force, not leave it in darkness.
I hope they enjoy their cash.
I don't know, I do not hate this band because they are really liked now, I hate this band for comprimising their beliefs for money.