Against Me Biography

Against Me! is an American punk rock band founded in 1997 in Naples, Florida, by singer and guitarist Laura Jane Grace. The group soon relocated to Gainesville, Florida, which is often recognized as their hometown. Guitarist James Bowman joined the lineup in 2001, establishing the band's core. After initially releasing three studio albums through independent labels, Against Me! signed with Sire Records and released their fourth album, New Wave, in 2007, which reached number 57 on the Billboard 200 chart.

In 2012, Laura Jane Grace publicly came out as a trans woman, a significant moment in both her personal life and the band's history. This period was marked by lineup changes and uncertainty about the band’s direction, but they found renewed success with the release of Transgender Dysphoria Blues in January 2014. The album received critical acclaim and commercial success, further solidifying the band's place in the punk rock genre. Their seventh studio album, Shape Shift with Me, was released on September 16, 2016.

Following the release of Shape Shift with Me, bassist Andrew Seward rejoined the band in 2018, after having left in 2013. While the group intended to record a new album, plans were ultimately disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to an indefinite hiatus. The band's final performance with bassist Inge Johansson occurred in May 2018, but they subsequently played a surprise show in Detroit featuring Seward's return.

In October 2018, Against Me! performed two shows prior to a South American tour, featuring full performances of As the Eternal Cowboy and New Wave. During this period, Grace also released a solo album titled Bought to Rot with her project the Devouring Mothers. The album was influenced by various artists and included collaborations with long-time producer Marc Hudson.

Despite the hiatus, Grace announced in July 2018 that Against Me! was still pursuing new material, and the band had plans for an eighth studio album. They recorded a cover of The Jim Carroll Band's "People Who Died" for a mental health charity compilation, marking Seward's first recording with the band since 2011. Work on the eighth studio album commenced in February 2019.

The last performance by Against Me! took place on March 12, 2020, at Port City Music Hall, which later closed as a result of the pandemic. During their hiatus, individual band members pursued various projects, including Grace’s solo album Stay Alive and other musical ventures by Seward and Willard.

As of February 2024, Grace confirmed that Against Me! remains on hiatus due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. She highlighted the impact of the pandemic on the band's momentum and the individual pursuits of its members. While Grace continues to engage with music and maintain the band's legacy, the future of Against Me! remains uncertain.