Monday, June 8, 2009

April 23rd – 2:50PM. Driving to Little Rock, AR
Someone hammered a screw driver into the drivers side door lock and broke into the van last night. Suprisingly all they stole was an I-Pod transmitter and our receipt pouch. We found the receipt pouch, still full of receipts laying on the ground across the parking lot as we were driving away.

April 25th – 4:31AM. Huntsville, AL. @Andrew’s partents house.
Tonights show was the biggest of the tour; it was an energetic crowd. We’re staying at Andrew’s parents house. Andrew’s dad got us all loaded on Schnapps. I’ll be lucky if I don’t vomit.

April 27th – 5:30AM. Somewhere.
Is today my brothers birthday or is it tomorrow?

April 28th – 4:06AM. Hyatt Hotel outside of Atlanta, GA.
I ate dinner alone, the same chain restaurant, the same meal I had last Monday; washed down by a margarita. I popped a vicodin (for the toothache) on the walk back.

April 29th – 3:00AM. Charlotte, SC.
Three more shows, Athens, Wilmington, Columbia, and then I go to Australia.

May 1st – 4:13AM. Wilmington, NC.
An hour into my turn behind the wheel I remember pissing in the stairwell of the hotel last night. John and I had been drunkenly arguing in the hallway, I don’t remember what about specifically, and then the next thing I knew I was all alone. I had lost my room key, not that I could remember what room I was in, I couldn’t remember what room anyone else was in either. The indoor stairwell seemed like a better urinal than the hallway carpet. In my drunken state of mind I thought for some reason that pissing on the handrail would be more discrete, more courteous than pissing directly onto the actual stairs. I don’t know how I got back into my room. I woke up half an hour after van call. Once in the van I immediately passed out on the back bench seat.

We told Warren this afternoon that we are going to look for a new drummer. Andrew, James and I made the decision a couple days ago over lunch. I told them that I didn’t want to play music with Warren anymore. They both agreed that this was a necessary step, it’s been a long time coming. Warren’s heart hasn’t been in this for a while now.


May 1st - 2:42PM. Driving to Columbia, SC
If I hadn’t turned around and come back in through the door that night in Providence, November, 2007, then the band would have ended right then and there, nothing that’s happened since would have transpired. Andrew quit, Warren readily agreed with him that it was time to end. I admit I was being an asshole, I provoked Andrew. At the same time I didn’t know about what all was happening in Andrew’s personal life. I was heading for the bus, I was going to grab my bags, find a cab to take me to a hotel, figure out how I was going to get back to Florida in the morning. But, a couple feet outside the rear exit of the club I stopped, turned around, walked back inside, tail between legs, and begged Andrew not to quit. Minutes later we went back onstage for an encore. I’m still hoping that it wasn’t a mistake to not let things end then and there.

After load in today Warren asked if he could talk with us all again. He said that after thinking about it over night he completely agreed that this was the best decision to make, that he realized his actions as of late have been, if not subconcious, indicitive of him not being fully invested. With his Mexican Restaurant opening soon, he seems ready to start a new chapter in his life. I wish him luck.

Tonight’s show at the New Brooklyn Tavern will be our last with Warren.

132 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why is my favorite band falling apart? Life sucks.

Ana said...

Sounds intense, I hope he is happier this way, though it won't be easy.

Brittany Strummer said...

Wow... Well, I hope it was as civil as you made it out to be. Great things can't last forever...

AlBlog said...

wow, you guys are really rock stars. I kind of thought Warren was the least on board for the major label switch based on his comments from "we;re never going home." the "his heart hasn't been in it for a while" comment made me think he's been uncomfortable being on a major. i am probably wrong but this is just really shocking to hear that it has been festering for a while. or maybe Warren really wants to focus on bean burritos.

Anonymous said...

the band's not falling apart, just going through a change.

Anonymous said...

fuck you tom gabel. warren oakes is the reason you are we're you are. sorry to tell you but you sucked before warren saved your band starting with RAR. and new wave the thing that stuck out was the amazing drumming. i wish you would reinvent axl rose, turns out you are axl rose.

Anonymous said...

could you guys sorta take a break and then work things out? cause i dont wanna see warren leave

Anonymous said...

Was Warren really that good of a drummer, or more of a personality? Were the beats really that tight?

Anonymous said...

"Whatever a group is, it was the chemical mixture of those four people that makes a group work. That's a lesson everyone should learn. Don't mess with it. If it works - just let it - do whatever you have to do to bring it forward, but don't mess with it. We learned that bitterly."

- Joe Strummer

Sorry to hear this. Good luck Tom.

Anonymous said...

Despite everyone you ever meet or love, in the end, will you be all alone?

Anonymous said...

white people for peace? thrash unreal? stop? all the new wave money grabbing songs that sucked lyrically all had great drums from warren that carried the songs. to ever take tom gabel truthfully again would be to agree stephen colbert declaring victory is a serious diplomatic action.

Some Young Guy said...

"Was Warren really that good of a drummer, or more of a personality? Were the beats really that tight?"

yeah no, i mean a, like, guitar god like TOM GABEL needs someone with chops far above and beyond the feeble skills WARREN OAKES has to offer.

plus, ya know, warren was offsetting the genuine niceness of the rest of the band by acting like a total douche the whole time. tom was always the cool guy conversing with fans and being sweet while that rock star fuck warren was sulking backstage, drinking complaining and writing shitty blogs

AlexM said...

Mr young guy, idk where you met the band, but everytime I met the band, warren was seriously the coolest guy ever, infact tom seemed quite douchey compared to oakes

Some Young Guy said...

alexM

i'm taking a situation wherein one of my favourite bands sucks tons of ass now, and turning it around with sarcastic humour.

mj said...

warren's posi spirit, and accessibility will be greatly missed. one of the happiest drummers i've ever seen and played with fluidity and ease.

intros like in 'pints of guiness' just can't be replicated.

Chris Califano said...

Ohhhh man this is sad to hear. Hopefully everything works out for the best for you guys. I absolutely love you and if this was necessary then it was necessary. I'm going to be a little disappointed seeing you guys and not winking at my boy Warren, but if this is for the best then so be it.

my heart hurts

P.S Don't Write said...

This is fucked. I'm unbelievably sad. No words. No words at all.

Anonymous said...

warren has never been a great drummer but he was always the happiest drummer. that big smile behind the kit was always great & refreshing to see.
best wishes to him & his new venture, he'll be missed. as for the band, well, it's been a slippery slope for some time. pretty much since the turn around of signing to a major label. although i can understand why they would do it, it did make them look like fools. never has the term sell-out been more appropiate. shame tom couldn't just admit that instead of getting so angry. seriously, what other kind of reaction was he expecting from everyone who been listening to the band from early on. they were born from punk afterall.
anyway, despite all that i still like the guys, enjoy the music & the shows are always much fun. i hope you can keep it all together & turn things around.

Plant said...

fuck it, tom, these things happen. life is a journey - full of trials and tribulations - the most important thing you can do is try to keep your feet fixed firmly to the ground, keep your head held high, and only do what feels right for you. good luck.

Anonymous said...

obviously some of you idiots have never been in bands. it's taxing on the soul. maybe he just didn't want to be away for so long?

or is staying for the money more punk rock when your heart isn't into it?

quit freaking out over it, yeah, it sucks, he was a rad dude, he's opening a Mexican Restaurant which looks like it rules and he will overall probably be happier.

And Against Me will continue on, likely happier.

If you don't want that for your "favorite" band then you're fooling yourself.

mike said...

wow, i was at the show in providence. pretty epic story.

trolley said...

Tough being a big rockstar huh?

Anonymous said...

it probably sucked when warren finally realized that he'd been putting all his time and effort into creating YOUR ultimate vision.

like, "oh, sorry, i thought this was my band, too. then we signed to a major and started writing pop songs :/"

and then you kicked him out.

i'm wondering when that guilty heart wrenching realization that you're a total douche is going to finally set in and change things.

Jaleeb Caru said...

Didn't Billy Joel have a song about a Mexican Restaurant? That song was boss, but at the same time, kind of a tearjerker.

The real question is, will Warren be shaving his glorious beard of bees? Because that would totally be selling out.

Rock on Warren, Rock on AM! Rock over London! Rock on Chicago; soup is good food.

Anonymous said...

where can i audition?

Anonymous said...

i feel sick to my stomach

Anonymous said...

wow. this sucks. warren was awesome but whatever.
new drummer better not be butch. and butch better not be the drummer on the new album.

Anonymous said...

You guys are so much like The Replacements it makes me sick to my stomach. You came up in an underground scene where most everyone liked you, signed to the same shitty major as them, and then kicked out the coolest, nicest dude in your band. Maybe Warren's heart wasn't into it because he didn't like making shitty records. how about you just rename the band "The Tom Gabel Band"? or better yet, learn a lesson from The Replacements and break up now before you release 3 shitty records and tour with Tom Petty. Have a nice day Axl

Anonymous said...

Warren is a cool cat, but his time is up.

I don't understand you people posting such caustic comments towards a musician, and an entertainer. Get over yourselves, seriously.

Jords 1984 said...

99% of the people who bitch and complain about their favorite "punk" or "indie" bands signing to a major label have never had to sleep on concrete floors at a person's house that you don't even know, never had to eat Taco Bell value menu items for three weeks, and never had a dream to be a touring and recording musician full-time and support your loving and deserving family with that dream.

Fuck all of you assholes, stop regressing "punk rock". You weren't there in Columbia, so don't pretend like you know what is going on inside this band. You're supposed to read the blog and find it interesting, not assume because you read it that now you understand the innermost being of Tom Gabel and Against Me! Damn, people are whiny little bitches.

Robb said...

Wow, some of you really need to relax and take your 'corny-ass hyperbole' pills.

"you sucked before warren saved your band starting with RAR. and new wave the thing that stuck out was the amazing drumming"

Oh come now. Is the drumming on NW, or any AM record, really "amAzing"? It's solid. Nothing mind-blowing is going on.

"Intros like in pints of guinness just can't be replicated"

Indeed--what foolish soul could ever hope to duplicate THAT slab of complex rudiments and shifting time signatures?

NOT an indictment of Warren O--as a person OR as a drummer--merely your cheeseball exaggerations. Personally I'm happy for the guy. Mexican food is glorious.

Sean said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sean said...

dont let all these people get you down man... I saw you peform at Cafe Eleven and you were one of the nicest people i have ever talked to...

warren was also the only drummer ive ever seen run out, mid song and um p into the crowd and crowd-surf... he will be missed for sure...

but there are other dummers out there that would kill to drum for you guys, and Im REALLY loving the new songs... (post new wave, sorry)... so I truly hope those get recorded with a full band...

You should see if the drummer from The Flatliners wants to join... because HE is a beast!

-Sean

conorrrrrrr said...

you guys should start playing with questlove, the guy from the roots. his beard will do just fine i suppose.

Patrick said...

I love Against Me! And I will always love Against Me! It's sad to see Warren go, but it happens. Good luck Against Me!

Anonymous said...

Warren is an incredible drummer. Not to make a Ringo comparison but drumming isn't about speed. For example, Ringo could never have play for The Who and Keith Moon could never have played for The Beatles.

I truly believe Warren was and is the best drummer for AM!. His minimal cymbals and reliance on tom toms are classic to the songs. On New Wave he mixed it up with the dance/hit hat beats on "Gypsy Panther" and "Stop!."

That said, hopefully this band stays together. Tom has written some amazing and outstanding songs and will continue to write. But if the band's new album (or if Tom were to go solo...) sounds anything like the solo EP you can count me out. As much as I liked a few of the songs on the EP (Random Hearts is classic), it was nothing like the feeling I got when I first heard "As The Eternal Cowboy" or "Pretty Girls (The Mover)." I hope they rebuild and the next album is killer because I love this band and I've enjoyed having them be the soundtrack to my life for the last 6 years or so.

Also stop hating on Tom, and Warren. I'm sure whatever their differences neither would want fans to call Tom a 'rockstar' or Warren a 'bad drummer.'

Jesus said...

I can't imagine being a singer, writer, or even just a person trying to get by with the amount of assholes around.

It's a shame Warren left, but I'm anxiously awaiting to see the direction and sound the band will take now. Good luck with auditions and the tough times ahead.

Jesse C said...

I'm always bummed when I hear about stuff like this, but it is obviously necessary for a band we all love to continue. For those of you passing judgment, you really have no ground to stand on. In my experience playing in a few of them, band relationships are a lot like dating relationships. There are a lot of dynamics that are only evident to those directly involved. I can imagine that it's probably closer to a marriage relationship after all the rehearsing, recording and touring together for years. Making changes like this is really hard for everybody involved.

Anonymous said...

all the best to this great band that has only become better with age, despite their grandioso success.

sad to see warren leave but i'm sure it's for the best.

i just hope their new drummer follows trend and stays true to the very unique against me drumming style. because it is a substantial part of the band.

i love the clash rockers style you guys have in your new songs such as "western world".

-prairiestrummer

Anonymous said...

i feel like my parents just sat me down and told me either a) "we're getting a divorce" or b) "your dog was hit by a car"

i hope you guys remain friends and it doesn't become as awkward as you said it was with kevin, and i hope you guys still continue to have fun doing wht you're doing. good luck i hope it all works out

Anonymous said...

OMG, Questlove would be sooooo awesome!!!!!!!! He's retired now. He can't tour a lot b/c of Fallon but at least let him do a couple dates with you . PLEASE! It would make my life complete.

Robb said...

Also, what's up with the irritating plethora of "anonymous" comments on Tom's blog? I assume that's something left up to the blog author's preference? I mean, I just think you infants that go on angsty little rants about Tom being an asshole, sellout, etc. should at least provide a pseudo-clever pseudonym and irreverent thumbnail pic to go with your cowardly little diatribes. At least show that courtesy, you know?

Anonymous said...

I must say im a lot shocked at the recent turn of events, even saddened . But this has to be accepted and they(the remaining band members) and US have to move on and look forward to what's next. No one likes change but it's just one of those things that is inevitable. I wish Warren all the best and look forward to seeing the band i've respected from the start to continue to deliver great music and even better live shows.
Good luck boys! CHEERS, thekam.

Sickie27 said...

I love you. Even though it must hurt in a way I don't understand, I'm still sorry.

I drove four hours total and almost killed myself and my best friend driving back home (fucking deers) on April 29th in Athens just to see you guys (and Off With Their Heads). I cried about 3-5 times during your set, out of pure happiness. Not only watching you guys, but watching everyone in the crowd. Hands down, not only one of the best shows, but one of the best moments of my life.

I remember after the show sitting waiting for the bus you and a few others walked passed and I just yelled at how much fun I had and how much I loved you. I couldn't stop smiling afterward, even though I probably came off as a groupie creep, haha. I'm still smiling now as I type this.

No matter what happens, no matter how much people will talk shit, because I admit, I've talked shit too... I'll always love you, and Against Me! will always stay close to me, and nothing can take away amazing memories, and more fun times to come.

-Yumiko

Cecilia said...

What a bummer.

A friend of mine said that the only acceptable replacement would be Kevin. How awkward that would be.

I'm glad I made it to Little Rock, now.

Anonymous said...

can you believe this band wrote searching for a former clarity?


word. as if that cd wasnt commenting on what happens when you sign to a major.

Anonymous said...

I think a lot of people are missing the point that this was a mutual decision. I'm sure if Warren disagreed, he would have shown Tom and the rest of the band that he was still into it.

I'm upset about the decision, and I think Warren is irreplaceable. His personality definitely added to the band, and I can't imagine AM! without him.

On the other hand, we can all take comfort in the small possibility that this is just a joke, right? Yeah... A joke...

Anonymous said...

I think everyone is forgetting the fact that we don't actually know exactly what happened, nor what has been going on for the last couple of years. I don't understand how people can go blaming others when we know so little.

Cuca said...

I don't think any of us can have a say in this. Yes, you can have your opinion but none of us really know what's going on with AM! so it's very unfair to start talking shit about the band members. Being in a band is really hard and when it doesn't work out anymore, you just have to leave it alone. Warren leaving the band doesn't mean they hate each other or that everything they went through has been for nothing.
Instead of being angry and insulting everyone, we should be happy for each and every one in AM!
Good luck with everything!

Daniel said...

in regards to this comments..

"fuck you tom gabel. warren oakes is the reason you are we're you are. sorry to tell you but you sucked before warren saved your band starting with RAR. and new wave the thing that stuck out was the amazing drumming. i wish you would reinvent axl rose, turns out you are axl rose."

learn to spell, before you "try" to bash.

w. axl rose said...

dear tom,
i've followed your band ever since i first heard of your album, against me is reinventing axl rose in the spring of 2003. it has come to my attention that your most popular member has left your band. i too have experienced this and have gone on to make the music that represents my true ambition. what i am trying to get at is, whatever you do as long as it leads to your satisfaction in your own music then it is the right decision.
-axl rose

Phil said...

There's a lot of foolish talk in these comments. The decision has been made. Warren was a great guy, and it's sad to see him leave, but I have always loved AM! and can't wait to hear and see where they go next. I hope everyone remains friends and this is just a new beginning. Good luck, Tom!

Anonymous said...

some of you need to read this and shut up.

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1613584/20090609/story.jhtml

Anonymous said...

/story.jhtml

cafriend said...

I'd been waiting for a new update Mr. Gabel.
Didn't expect all of this.
Hope it works out for the best, good luck.
Can't wait to see what's instore as of new.


Come to South Korea, the troops here need one last show before the shit hits the fan.

Thomas said...

This is upsetting to see that warren is gone. I can only hope this wont effect the band in the future and i can only hope that your new drummer will be just as good/cool. I do not know what all happen for this to happen so there for i cant really judge at this point. Keep making good music like always!

Anonymous said...

No one deserves the rude comments shot Tom's direction on his own blog.

My God, this was a mutual decision, and anyone who has called Tom a douche has clearly never had a conversation with him, he has gone OUT OF HIS way to talk to me and pose and hook me up with swag.

Tom is a great person, Warren is a great person, so is Andrew and James. A Mutual split is a mutual split, no one should be blamed here.

If you have a problem with it get the fuck off his blog.

Anonymous said...

Well, New Wave was kinda lame and I really like Mexican food...
So I'm gonna have to stand by the bearded man.

Amy said...

It's a bummer, but I hope Warren's restaurant is successful. Mexican food is the greatest. Keep on playing.

Anonymous said...

I second that comment about.....
new drummer better not be butch. and butch better not be the drummer on the new album.

Anonymous said...

Tom, I was one of the people who bashed you yesterday when i read this, and i would like to apologize for that. The way the information was presented on your blog seemed like Warren was forced out, and i now realize that was not the case. i acted on impulse and left an asshole comment on here. I acted like a douche, and apologize.

Jen Kaplan said...

I hate to say this but your solo cd is in my mind your best work yet. I never knew what caused that, but maybe the lack Warren was a part of the reason. I love Against Me, luckily Warren wasn't someone vital (songwritters and singers can't be replaced in any band). Hopefully this will help everyone in Against Me out to keep your sanity. No matter what I hope that all of your fans understand that you are all people and you shouldn't be with someone who you are no longer getting along with in any situation even if it is one that makes you lots of money. Just do what makes you happy and anyone who doesn't like it then fuck um.

Phil said...

Hey man, these things happen. I hope things work out for you guys in the future, whether it be with or without the band. i hope the best for warren as well. safe travels.

-phil (from miami)

Anonymous said...

did everyone just bipass the comment by axl fucking rose? holy shit, he has a blog AND he is reading tom's.

Cody said...

Well, I hate to see warren go, but better than having the band dis-assemble completely, All the best Tom, Andrew, and other guy. (Jk, James, you kick ass also.) Alright guys, hope you work it out, and I gotta try Warren's Mexican Restaurant.
- On a sidenote Tom, aren't you happy to have Axl Roses' approval? HAHAHA.

Eazy D said...

sweet now we can have ALL the songs with an awesome drum machine you can make so much more money to feed your cock habit. yeah cock. i know why you got rid of him. he fucked your whore wife. so did i. haha. i cum on her tits, it was pretty ok.

conor said...

sorry about all of this negative whiplash Tom.
some of these people are pretty fuckin brutal with their words..
This is clearly something that had to be done or you wouldn't have done it.
I wish Warren luck with his future and will miss him.
And also good luck to you and the band.
I cant wait to see whats next.

Old Speckled Glen said...

This whole thing only concerns me because Warren is kind of awesome, and because some of my friends are/were friends with these guys.

Everyone is getting so bent out of shape about this Warren thing, and Against Me! in general. People are getting angry, upset, you guys! It's not your band! It's Tom's band!

Me, I think AM! has always been mediocre, but I was a fan back in the day because the dudes were always nice guys and willing to have a conversation. A few times they came through my town, they GAVE me their records. WOW. Nice!

The last few times I met them, TOM was a complete dick, because he's getting way too much validation from people who don't realize how truly mediocre his band is. He no longer has to act like he cares about his friends or fans because he is famous and has hordes of people who will tell him he's awesome even after he takes a shit on them.

One time his wife told me I "missed the meet and greet", I made a joke about how AM! was like NOFX now (too famous to be able to hang out after shows) and she asked me, "Are you gonna buy something or fuck off?"

Never again, Tom.

To those of you who find happiness in the punched-up major label melodies and by-numbers music of this band, I am glad for you. To those of you who HATE THEM because they sold out or whatever, let it go, because there are literally thousands of way better bands to enjoy and this douchemonster Tom doesn't deserve your attention. Besides, making him all angsty will just give him more material to write stupid songs about.

So, guys, you're up there in the ranks with Creed and Soulja Boy, in that I no longer have any reason to care about anything you do ever again. Hell, I might even cringe if your songs ever start getting played on the radio. Congrats.

A Tiny Heart said...

I've never had the privilege to see Against Me! live in concert or strolling about, but of late I have found myself doubting the trust I gave this band.

Anonymous said...

I have to say this has effected me more then I thought it was going to. Im really sad about this. Some of my favorite memories have been Against Me! concerts. It won't be the same with out Warren. He was a cool guy I actually got to hang out with him after a concert. It just sucks. I guess things can't always last forever.

Anonymous said...

"i hate this stupid fucking drumbeat"

commando8 said...

eh ben!

stuart said...

I still love you Tom.

Christi said...

well this was totally random...
i hope everything works out. i know we'll miss warren like fuck
but your decision is well thought out and i know you have your reasons, but this is a huge bummer.

Edu said...

you are my favourite band
and last year you were coming at barcelona and I was so happy
and later you cancel it
so i was waiting for another time
and now Warren is lefting

and don´t know if Against Me! will split up but you will be forever in our memories
you won´t be forget
I really wish the best for all of you and especially for Warren

Edu from Barcelona

mymymy12 said...

i cant say much for the band as a whole, or the people in it. but i can say that the music has affected me. That moment when i first heard 'thrash unreal" comming from my radio, and i can say that i went back and listened to the previous Eps and album, which i loves just as much. This band has changed me incredibly, nd i probably wouldnt have ever found it all out if it wasnt for "New Wave"
So i am unbeleivably greatful that you did turn back.
on another note
rechord label changing, disagreements on whcih directions to take, heated arguments, members threatening to leave, members acutally leaving, and getting used to people either hating you for what you do is a part of EVERY band.
but there are also the good parts that makes it worth going through all of that. Rising above and pushing forward to do the thing you are here to do. Make music.
remember "punk' is just a word...its the art behind it that really matters.

Anonymous said...

Hey Old Speckled Glen, fuck off.

Anonymous said...

hey!
first of all, congrats on the pregnancy!

i will definitely track down warrens mexican restaurant and eat there one day, and say hi to him. glad it's something you all agree on.

take care of yourself

eva - iceland
facebook.com/evahufa

Anonymous said...

It's about time. Against Me! should have pulled the plug after signing on with Fat. Nice ride while it lasted, but ultimately it was long overdue.

courtney said...

Ugh. What the fuck at these comments. I've always loved you and Warren and both of you were amazing and totally nice when we'd hang out in bars after shows in Seattle five years ago.

I just wanted to chime on the "doesn't hate tom gabel side" I love your blog and hope you don't stop writing.

Anonymous said...

Don't worry, Tom. I'm sure the industry will find you a replacement drummer in no time!

Anonymous said...

fuck, if butch vig is the new fucking drummer i'm gunna have a god damn stroke.

Twilliger said...

They got the dude from Hot Water Music to fill in on drums. Who gives a shit really if the music keep going the direction its been going. Bring back the sing along

Anonymous said...

Hope things work out, Tom. I'm sure the real situation is nowhere near as dramatic as people want it to be. Good luck.

Anonymous said...

Tom, this new is saddening. The music the four of you have created has meant the world to me. To hear that one member has left the band is a tough pill to choke down. Thank you for Against Me!

And thanks, Warren.

Chad said...

Tom,

I learned my lesson.

Babies and Whiskey don't mix.

-Chad

janine said...

tom-

while AM! has dramatically changed throughout the years you guys have always been mine, and many others, favorite band. i find that only the true fans can continue to look beyond your "big label" and find the talent and rawness in your music. of course no one wants their favorite band to "sell out" or sign with a big label but that's something that needs to happen in order for your band to continue to progress and for the members to be able to financially survive, since you guys are constantly touring, playing shows, recording and have no other time for a more "steady" job. and all the fans that want their 'favorite band' to stay alive and continue to tour and make music may not agree but will still support this.

as far as Warren leaving the band goes, it is an unfortunate, sad thing to see happen. in your entry, you wrote that he discussed with you guys he was no longer "in it" as much as everyone else was, and that you and your other mates agreed that it was his time. i believe that you all know that you're making the right decision and hopefully it was as civil and mutually agreed upon as you made it seem.. but things like this happen when you have been playing in your band since '97 (i think that's when your first demo came out..) you gain some members, and you lose some. it's life, it's business, it's music.

good luck and all the best.
one of your biggest fans,
Janine N.

and for the other people commenting on this post, who are you to bash tom, warren, or any of the other members? are you all chums and hang out at the bar and have a good 'ol time? or are you just a "fan" looking for the original against me to come back to get your 'fix' because you are still angry and full of angst towards the world? it's quite brave of you to post your 'true' feelings anonymously on this blog. i'm sure you feel better about yourself now that you told the lead singer of your "favorite band" off.

over time, people grow up and turn into adults. they travel their life paths and find themselves and who they truly want to be and what they truly want to do with their life. this is what's happening. Warren has realized that his time has come for him to start a new path, a new adventure in his life and you "fans" completely bash him, and tom, and the other members, instead of supporting their decision. congratulations, you truly are fans.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing so honestly and I hop0e things work out for the band. But I realize that all good things must come to an end, so if you don't move forward then thank you for the great music and amazing concerts over the years.

SeaweedDrip said...

I wish I could have seen you guys in concert with Warren first. And I am going to find his restaurant and give him a hug and order a taco.
Sorry to hear this, Tom. Good luck ♥

El!zabeth said...

keep making music my brother. you have inspired me to find my own voice and sing.

ernesto said...

Drama drama drama. I blame the root of all this mess discovering fire!

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Continue the word of freedom and liberty!!! www.freetalklive.com

Anonymous said...

fuck warren, he was a garbage drummer anyway. they'll be better off without him.

Suzie300 said...

Wow, saw yall's last concert with Warren in Columbia. Great show. I have no doubts that yall will continue to make great music. Best of luck!

Jordan Castro said...

damn bro

i read some of these comments and they feel intense

a lot of ananymous bro's 'talking shit'.

i hope everything feels okay with you.

goodbye.

Alex martin said...

it really pisses me off that some of you fuckheads come on here, read tom blogs, then abuse the shit out of him and against me! like he really gives a shit about whatever you have to say about the band, because you all know so much about it. and for all those wankers who say he's a rock star only in it for the money, because he clearly got heaps of that, he happened to be on mtv cribs last night. they play the songs they want to play only fueled by all you idiots. his solo tour of aust. in hobart was awesome. i was so inspired. so if you don't like am!'s music don't the sound don't get the fucking vibe maybe you shouldn't listen or read his blog simple fix.

MolonLaude said...

Wow what a fucking joke you are. You accuse warren's heart of being anywhere but with you guy's, but look at you. New wave was clearly manufactured to please whoever you kneel for now. The only song with even a speckle of heart was Thrash Unreal. and Heart Burns? What a selfish attempt to recapture your demo tape days. It is clear that your heart isn't there anymore. Even Anna is a stool pigeon is a shameless attempt to recapture Baby I'm an Anarchist. If Warren didn't openly line up with your new agenda, at least be honest about the whole event, instead of blogging about how you are a dick to relieve your grief about actually being such a dick bag, and then turning the whole situation around on Warren wanting to leave because of his "restaurant" in order to capture fan sympathy. If you are going to be honest about being a dick, be honest, don't go back and search for approval at the cost of Warren's pride.

I get it, you have this new fucking vision, but really? You can't pretend like you don't see it in every one of your fans eyes, the faint glimmer of a hope that you might actually stay true to your words and return to the "reinventing axl rose" days of music. Killing warren, kills the dream, and killing the dream kills the band forever for all the fans who want to give you the benefit of the doubt about selling out.


You feel sick to your stomach? You're a fucking joke.

Anonymous said...

there should be an age limit on these comments.......18 or GROW THE FUCK UP...

Daniel Graham said...

You people are really mean. You don't know any of these people yet feel compelled to launch embittered tirades against Tom's integrity and talent. Poor form.

K-San said...

LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!

Wait...wrong blog. You guys are seriously crazy. Yeah they've changed. Yeah Tom acted like a dick. At least he admitted it...and to the fucking masses no less. If Warren had some 'real' opinion that has been silenced, don't you think he'd speak up about it?

Maybe he was just tired. I've been there myself. And yeah, he didn't write most of the shit. Are you trying to say that Tom isn't an outstanding lyricist/songwriter? The whole band plays his stuff because they love to. At least, that's what it used to be. Honestly, AM! is one of the most down to earth bands out there. I'm happy for them that they're able to make a living off of it. Not what I'd do, but I'm glad they did what they wanted.

You're all just mad that the new shit doesn't sound like you want because you've romanticized the band's early works and demonized Tom for having a change of perspective. Get over yourselves.

Brandt said...

Out of the 3 AM! shows I've seen Warren was the only one to actually talk and hang out after the show.

That kinda down to Earth feeling from the band is going to be missed.

Anonymous said...

wow...alot of hateful judgmental people on these comments...i guess thats why they call them comments. none of you know what is "really going on" so piss off and quit being so bitter. pick apart your own lives and choices, enjoy the art you are privileged to be shown. you are lucky to have ever heard this band at all. remember Dustin? pshhh didnt think so, just stop while your behind....

Anonymous said...

This is a little late, but after hearing some new songs, it's comfortable to say that the band is moving in a positive direction still. And most people who posted anything on here probably didn't realize that having a business is more than a full time job, and so is being in a touring band. So he had to chose one, and I feel like he made a good decision because sometimes you need to do something new and fresh, and sometimes you know that you were born to be on the road and play rock n' roll. So stoked for White Crosses.

Bucket Trucks USA said...

Hope everything worked out well in the end.

Anonymous said...

Against me! Changed my life. When i saw them the first time was in calgary at a venue called the underground. I cannot explain the magic that i felt. the shear energy of the performance made me feel like i was capable of doing anything. I still regard that day as a monumental life changing experience.

I recently saw against me at a hall in vancouver, hoping that it would be the same to spite what I had heard. I was let down. I dont care if bands get famous, make money, etc.... something just reallllllyyyy isnt the same.

scape said...

I'm sure no one of any importance reads these comments, but I'm gonna post this anyway..

Obviously no one (including myself) here has any special insight into AM! or any kind of "inside information" - we're just speculating. Who knows what has gone on between Warren and the band over the last however-many years its been. We are sadly just watching the death rattle of a band that meant so much to us once. I'm not gonna flame about major labels or shit like that (honestly I hope you guys make enough money to retire happy and raise families in nice homes), but with all that business shit aside, it has hurt the hearts of your old fans like me to watch this band become pop-culture sensations. I understand you can't keep making the same record over and over and you guys need to feel excitement when you record and play new songs. I totally get that. But that doesn't mean you have to abandon your core ideals - the ideals that you sang with such heart and earned you fans like myself.. the ideals that make fans like me feel something inside when we hear your better albums like RAR. I've talked to you Tom after shows, and you really do seem like a nice, genuine guy. It's a shame your musical actions don't reflect that anymore. Like I said, I totally understand you need to make new and different music. I know you wanted bigger distribution so you left Fat. I know you need to make a living just like the rest of us. Unfortunately you are also very, very defensive about it too. What did you really expect though from your fans who have been buying your records for ten years? Did you really think we would just follow and sing along to the polished, half-baked songs you're putting out now? You were fucking with yourself if you did. Of course there's a backlash. Your fans used to feel something.. used to feel like they were hearing something special and real. We believed in what you sang and your lyrics became part of our lives. There's something to be said about indie labels and the gritty-ness of DYI style albums. I don't wanna keep on bashing, but a band with songs about anarchy, poverty and revolution becomes ironic when they've moved on beyond those things and live a new and better life, yet continue to sing about them. I've lost my point now, but really I just wanted to convey the sadness us long-term fans feel when we hear a song like Burn juxtaposed with whatever random song off New Wave or White Crosses.

Maybe Warren understood this and you three can't. I don't know. But the tone in which you speak about Warren seems to reflect the fact that deep down you know in your heart that AM! has changed for the worse and got lost in the wrong direction. That's just my personal speculation on it.. only you know.

I will continue to support your personal endeavors, but musically I just cannot do it. You guys had lightning in a bottle and sold it for a million bucks. Please don't ever forget that you are where you're at because of THE FANS. And speaking of Warren, I think that's something Warren understood very well - well enough to leave while his heart still had something left.

Sorry for rambling.

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:D hahahah :) it was really good one

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