after years of touring the country/world playing basements and punk warehouses, against me! are primed for the big time, releasing their next album on a major label. they might become the next green day, or perhaps just the next ataris. neither seems likely–they are probably the biggest anarcho-punk band to go major since chumbawamba, but they’ll still be talking ish about condoleeza rather than making pop-hits about lager. one thing that’s for sure, their trajectory might serve as the ultimate in punk rock selling out.

according to punk lore, it started out as a solo acoustic punk venture at a laundromat. it turned into a band and went from plan it x to their local gainesville punk label, no idea, while finally moving their way up to fat wreck–which i guess some would consider selling out enough. along the way, they ditched the acoustic and cleaned up their sound–i suppose j. robbins will do that to you.

they even made a dvd about declining the majors for their last album, but i suppose they just couldn’t resist.

this is my favorite post-2000 punk band around.

the thing that really bugs me though, is when bands justify signing to a major (sire in this case) by saying “it was the ramone’s label!” well, whatever, nevermind, because i’ll still buy it anyways.

if you’ve been sleeping on these guys, check out some free MP3’s and peep the progression of the band, while you’re at it.

against worked from plan it x days.

pints of guiness make you strong from no idea days.

cliche guevara first fat release.

don’t lose touch last fat release.

against me! is on a mini-tour now, and are playing coachella at the end of april.  after that, they go on tour supporting nu-gods of polyrhythmic metal, mastodon.  cursive is also opening that tour.  (i know, wtf?)