The Academy is

Biography

Frontman William Beckett and guitarist Michael Carden grew up in rivaling bands in the local Chicago music scene. Beckett eventually ended his short-lived solo project Remember Maine, wanting to take music more seriously and looking for someone who shared his passion. When Carden’s band broke up, the two gradually found themselves talking more and more, engulfed in deep conversations about music. After realizing they were very much alike, they decided to try their hand at writing songs together and The Academy was born.

Since Beckett and Carden first came together in 2002, the band has paved their way with lightning speed. After adding Adam Siska on bass, Adrian LaTrace Jr as a second guitarist and drummer Mike DelPrincipe, the full band headed into the studio and recorded their self-titled debut EP, The Academy (2004), for the Chicago-based label LLR Recordings, who had previously released Remember Maine’s debut album The Last Place You Look in 2002. The ep was recorded in Villa Park, IL at The Gallery of Carpet by Producer Brian Zieske. 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. The label immediately signed the band. Contrary to popular belief and what has been said in the press, a good portion of the music written on the album has actually been done by LaTrace as he was the lead guitarist and Carden was the rhythm guitarist at the time.

In 2004 the band headed to Florida to record their Fueled by Ramen debut Almost Here. After recording and a summer tour, the band underwent a lineup change. Tom Conrad, formerly of Chicago local band 504 Plan, replaced LaTrace as their second guitarist/backing vocalist and Andy Mrotek replaced DelPrincipe as their drummer. They hit the road hard, touring with Fall Out Boy, Something Corporate, Midtown, Matchbook Romance, Motion City Soundtrack and Armor for Sleep.

About a Girl - Lyric

One song about a girl, can't breathe when I'm around her
I wait here everyday in case she scratch the surface
She'll never notice

I'm not in love, this is not my heart
I'm not gonna waste these words about a girl

Last night I knew what to say but you weren't there to hear it
These lines so well rehearsed, tongue-tied and overloaded
You never notice

I'm not in love, this is not my heart
I'm not gonna waste these words about a girl

I'm not in love, this is not your song
I'm not gonna waste these words about a girl

To be loved, to be loved, what more could you ask for?
To be loved, to be loved, everyone wants
To be loved, to be loved, what more could you ask for?
To be loved, to be loved, everyone

I'm not in love, this is not my heart
I'm not gonna waste these words

I'm not in love, this is not my heart
I'm not gonna waste these words about a girl

I'm not in love
(To be loved, to be loved, what more could you ask for?)
This is not your song
(To be loved, to be loved, everyone wants)
I'm not gonna waste these words about a girl
(To be loved, to be loved)