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"We want to move people... to impact in them the same way we've been affected through music." The Academy Is...almost never was. Front man William Beckett and guitarist Mike Carden grew up as rivals, in separate bands on the Chicago local music scene. William eventually left his band, wanting to take music more seriously and looking for someone who shared his passion. Mike's band broke up also and the two gradually found themselves talking more and more; engulfed in amazing conversations about music. After realizing they were very much alike, they decided to try their hand at writing songs together and The Academy Is...was born. Since William and Mike first came together in 2002, The Academy Is...have paved their way with lightening speed. After adding Adam Siska on bass and a second guitarist and drummer, the full band headed into the studio and recorded an EP for Chicago label LLR Records. Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy heard it and was so impressed that he convinced his label, Fueled By Ramen, to fly out and see them. Fueled By Ramen immediately signed the young band and put them to work recording their full-length debut. After six months Mike and William headed to Florida to record the appropriately titled Almost Here. "We aren't quite 'here' yet," William explains, "We are too young to be content and to have everything figured out. It's all about pushing each other and each other's boundaries. There is always more to accomplish."
