It was such depressing news to wake up to. To find out the band that got you through so much is now no more. I know it sound absolutely pathetic but they honestly truly the band that made me who I am today. The band that got me to listening to what I listen to now. This whole ~indie~ thing.
I remember 2007, that's the year I 'discovered' music. The year I got into music. The year I found out about them. That same year, i was on the verge of tears when I found out that TAI had come and performed for singfest. I only found out a month after. Yet I know now, even if I knew, I wouldn't have gone. I was just a mere 12 year old then. A mere 12 year old who was going through the normal pre teen shit. The insecurities, the unsureness, finding out who I am, that shit. Then I found them, and everything changed. I became obsessed. Furled By Ramen was the in thing and I suppose, to me, they were the epitome of coolness. TAI, Cobra Starship, FOB, Panic!, they all came in a set. A set I fell in love with.
My preteen/early teen years were spent with them. Watching TAITV instead of studying for PSLE. I remember how I could watch TAITV on a bad day and instantly feel cheered up. They were my fandom, the ultimate fandom. I entered secondary school with only them. I got to know my friends, with them as my main interest.
It's kinda weird, but it makes me smile whenever I think of the time Nabilah told me she would watch TAITV or listen to TAI and think of me. I was so proud of introducing people to them.
My first celebrity crush was from them too. William Beckett. Oh boy, he was something. I was never ashamed of telling people I liked him. He was perfect in my eyes. Well, all of them were.
Then something happened after Santi. FTABH happened. They became this ~hip and preppy~ new band that gained radio AirPlay and everyone decided they loved them. I got pissed. I didn't want to share them with anyone.
Yet now, look who's pissing themselves over the breakup? Only the people who've been fans for quite some time.
I blame FTABH. I blame Chislett. I blame everybody. I'm bitter.
I was bitter.
They've been through a loss of a member, then another two, they were supposed to release a fourth album, but now they're not
Now I'm just sad but that is all. They've left and it wasn't a bitter cruel angry split. It was a mutual thing and all of them are moving on. Have moved on. I will too. I'll see each of their separate projects soon, I hope.
So many of their lyrics speak to me but a certain one from one of my favourite songs by them fits best here.
"Now that I'm grown I've seen marriages fall to pieces.
Now that I'm grown I've seen friendships fall to pieces.
Weekend warriors, and our best friends.
The writers weren't kidding about how all good things must end.
Then again some things, then again some things are far too good,
Some things are far too good to go ahead and let go.
Always up or down, never down and out.
Dream of demons while you sleep that make you stutter when you speak.
Always up or down, never down and out.
Dream of demons while you sleep that make you stutter when you speak.
Speak now or forever hold your peace."
One of my favourite pieces of lyrics.
All good things must come to an end, and as the second final verse in Down & Out says, it will always stay in our hearts.
So long and Farewell, The Academy Is.... 8 years of amazingness. 8 years of glory.
I'll never forget you. Stay in my heart forever. xx.
