Tom Gabel: We're Gonna Do Our Own Thing

[scandalist1]

Haha, Bouncing souls in the background

[graciexoxo99]

he such a cutie!

[InsideOutRW]

My paragraph is about is about how Against Me! sold out and fuck them and there shifty ways.... god damnit people, seriously?

[ChrisFalcone22]

Its fucking music, like it or not. Get over it, jesus.

[resist360]

by the way, fans who don't like it, its ok not to like it, but most of you dont like it because you dont understand where they are coming from. stop thinking you are entitled to the album you want. you were never real fans anyway, get educated get a bit of tolerance and then come back. because unlike you we'll take an open minded person back into the fold

[resist360]

1. they are using a major label to promote their message of harmony, peace and common sense, more people get that message if you have a major label. 2. selling out is when you change your entire career in order to fit in and make money. they are still talking about the same stuff, they arent writing songs that everyone will love. and 3. i was a teenage anarchist is about being young and thinking their are simple soloutions to problems. he is older and realises things arent that simple

[scottbrown420]

Give the money back to the record label.

[cameronnnnnnnnnnnnn]

fuckin paragraph long comments

[ryanb113n]

I don't care about them signing to a major label. I just didn't like it that for years they talked a lot of shit about big bands..etc. And, their music and politics have gotten watered down since they signed to sire. That;s my biggest gripe, in my opinion, their music went down hill.

[fuckyoudonk]

if you like a band only for the label their on.....maybe your an idiot

[ImRiCkJaMeSbItCh84]

shit, sad he changed i like the music still, jus kinda lost respect

[AROTTINGNATION]

goddamnit tom!!! what the fuck!!! you guys used to be amazing!!! fuck!!! can't you be on a major label and still write good music??? some bands are still doing it!!! lyrics are good... but it sounds like shit!!! i can't listen to it even for the lyrics!!!

[jasonlitherland]

@AROTTINGNATION you're definetely right. he still writes good lyrics but i guess he really needed warren oakes in order to make good music.

[IIEnjoi]

does anyone else wanna punch Tom in his face? cause i sure do.

If he ever plays reinventing axle rose again, he should get shot.

[jjas89]

@IIEnjoi Grow up. Jesus Christ.

[ryanrummler]

This band is a fucking shame. Used to be one of my favorites. Now, the music fucking sucks. FACT

[XxMotleyMattXx]

@ryanrummler your a faggot. every band changes. stop crying pussy

[ryanrummler]

@XxMotleyMattXx I'm homosexual because a great band turned into a shitty band? I don't see the logic here. The only fact is.... they fucking suck, and they used to be fantastic.

[XxMotleyMattXx]

@ryanrummler I didnt mean it in the homosexual terms. I meant it as slang.

If you dont like them why did you look them up to say that they suck?

Do you want attention that bad? did mommy and daddy not love you?

Alot of bands change as they get older. People grow up and their views in life change, If you cant handle that you need to kill yourself cuz your not gonna make it in this world.

[ryanrummler]

@XxMotleyMattXx Ohhh, so you meant it like the way 10 year olds use it... OK. I was viewing a link sent from a friend, this shit was on the sidebar. Being an ex fan I figured I'd check it out. The band getting shitty has nothing to do with "growing up" Do you realize comments are left to state your opinion? The simple fact is: they used to fucking rock. Now, they fucking suck. Listen to the music fucker.

I don't give a shit about their politics, or genre. It is just plain shitty

[XxMotleyMattXx]

@ryanrummler The fact that you brought up opinions then said its a fact that they suck made you look like a retard and yes growing up changes people. Maybe they grew up and change there music or you grew up and changed the music you like. You may think they suck now and yes they have changed, but its still great music. The white Crosses album has way more meaning behind it than say Reinventing Axl Rose.

[ryanrummler]

@XxMotleyMattXx My opinion is that they suck. This statement ," The white Crosses album has way more meaning behind it than say Reinventing Axl Rose." Is the most ridiculous thing I've heard in a long time. Since you really think that, I think I'm done with you. Back to your Sum 41 albums. Bye Bye

[XxMotleyMattXx]

@ryanrummler If its your opinion dont post it as a fact and yes if you watch interviews and knew what you were talking about, you would know that white crosses has more meaning to Tom than Reinventing Axl Rose. and really Sum 41? What does anything have to do with sum 41? What gave you the idea that im a fan of sum 41?

[SpiderShane1]

@XxMotleyMattXx I agree with @ryanrummler that you are a certified idiot. If you think white crosses has way more meaning then RAR then you obviously need to grow up a little bit and take a good look at what goes on in this world that you live in. A catchier beat does not make songs more meaningful, it just makes them sell better to the MTV generation. Sure its Toms own choice to make any music he wants, but its still a fact that he traded meaning for money. Using 'fag' for slang is lame too....

[XxMotleyMattXx]

@SpiderShane1 So songs like white crosses and i was a teenage anarchist dont have meaning?

Why is it that all these people jump onto a band then cry about how much they suck when they sign to a major label? Ive been a fan of Against Me! for about 6 years now and i think its great that they are getting their music out to more people. Ya i went a little far by saying white crosses has more meaning, but it still has alot of meaning.

[SpiderShane1]

@XxMotleyMattXx I'm not bashing them for signing to a major label, I could care less. I dont even care that they changed to a mainstream pop sound. What is lame though, is doing a complete 180 on everything your music once stood for. Listen to the lyrics of 'I was a teenage anarchist', then rewind a few short years and listen to 'Baby I'm an anarchist'. This is what irritates people. Sure the new stuff has a meaning, but the meaning is completely contradictory to everything they once claimed.

[XxMotleyMattXx]

@SpiderShane1 I understand what your saying and im glad you have a base to what your saying unlike ryanrummler.

But if you read and watch interviews with Tom than you would know that he is an anarchist and "i was a teenage anarchist" was writen in the perspective of someone who was a anarchist. Its not a song about him.

[citizen0anonymous]

@SpiderShane1 I agree. I've never been a hardcore punk rocker and I love a lot of "mainstream" culture. Who doesn't? I bet those decrying Against Me love to go to the movies or have some mainstream cultural tastes. What gets me, is the gutting of the social message more than anything. I discovered Against Me! during the Bush years and the Iraq war. I just started to get into activism. My fellow anarchist friends liked the band. Those songs will always be songs of the struggle for me.

[SpiderShane1]

@citizen0anonymous Kudos to that. Old AM stuff is like the soundtrack to alot of peoples struggles in activism. We tend to think of the bands as fellow comrades, so when they switch the message its like seeing one of your friends turn on the group. I know its "just" a band, but it holds meaning for alot of people. I guess the lesson here is to identify with the individual songs or albums and leave the musicians out of it.

[tommot67]

If you like labels then it's the band and if you are saying punk then that's in the label, it's simple, punk is growing in a family and he's singing. Money's in the jar, writing lyrics is for weekdays, don't know anyone who has not agreed with that!

[fightvonstarter]

Everyone needs to stop thinking that they have to agree with everything about something to like it or like everything about something to agree with it. It rarely works that way and the few times that it does YOU end up selling THEM out because THEY choose THEIR OWN route. We're all given options and one of them is to make your own path and not stand waiting on someone to make that path for you. Tom Gabel, you're one of the few that I agree with and like. I'll never show you my back.

[ryanrummler]

@fightvonstarter Their route sucks. The music is terrible.

[brantlymurphy225]

As long as you don't let the money affect the art.

[yngj77]

Against Me and Tom Gabel are dope. Great music, Great Messages.

I give em credit for talent and passion for a just world.

BUT everyone seems to forget

1) As Against Me started particularly Tom Gabel, (correct me if I'm wrong) EMPHASIZED their ethics of D.I.Y.

which I always thought included not doing business with major labels.

2) Signing to Waner Bros, is making money for one of one of 5 elite oligarchy of the recording-arts industry. Contradictory for what I thought Against Me stood for.

[tomjoad32]

Classy. Guy. Period.

[SKAleton52]

its not just that they are on a major record label. its that they completely changed their music to appeal to the masses. the new lyrics are crap, they are all meaningless bullshit!

[ktmyamaha01]

Who cares if the sound is different? It's still genius Tom writting songs with amazing lyrics, just like back in 1997. The power is still there and always will be.

[AroundThePony]

punk is a shame,and Tom knows that.I STILL FUCKING LOVE AGAINST ME! AND I ALWAYS FUCKING WILL!

[edizzidydawg]

@AroundThePony kmind, I can understand people being upset that AM so drastically changed their position on major lablels, but consider how many opinions you may have completely reversed over a five year period. Growing up, getting married, starting a family. These things put life and the world in a more realistic perspective, and petty things like how large your label is seem stupid when considering how to support not only yourself but people around you financially. Good for him.

[yngj77]

@edizzidydawg

I see your point on how perspectives can alter as people mature. But signing to Warner Bros is a BIG DEAL. Their one of the 5 GLOBAL OLIGARCHIES of the recording media industry. Playing major roles in censorship and globalization. They are making tons of money FOR Warner Bros. This can't be taken lightly. If member of AM need money to support their family, then maybe its time to get a real job like the rest of us instead of looking for an easy way to come up like capitalists.

[artfanatsymanic]

@yngj77 MAYBE they'd like to play music for a living, to make money, to support their families : )

[ictyme7]

this dude is solid.

[FuckitnFightit]

Kmind - I feel the same way. Kinda makes me feel cheated. I believed what they were saying in their old records, and bought into it.

[WhoStoleTreki]

I love Tom Gabel, its strange just hearing him talk I'm in awe. Mmm speak your mind.

[AliBoulalaSTP]

tom gabel is such a smart and nice guy

[domenge]

bouncing souls in the background?

[artfanatsymanic]

That is very inspiring. They are basically cutting though the bullshit of the punk "scene". For me it seemed that not being afraid to be who you are as long as it is honest, being yourself, and not taking people's crap for it is what punk rock was supposed to be about. And if its not then fuck that too! It takes a lot of strength to break from a group you were part of like that while getting so much backlash and still continue lay who you are out. Keep going on strong Against Me and never cave!

[AlmostBrothersCrew]

It's just really disapointing that they were all about not selling out then they did. They turned into a pop-rock band. It bums me out.

[alan166444]

Who was the band playing in background??? any ways against me is one of greatest bands I've ever heard from the self titled ep to even new wave!!...might have sounded the same but dam they were all good

[edizzidydawg]

Most of the whiners about "selling out" are too young to have had reality kick them in the head a few times. If any of you whiners go to school and rack up debt to get a good job, just remember to take the shittiest position and worst-paying station you can get for all of that hard work you did. Otherwise you're a "sell-out."

[LGFUAD21]

@edizzidydawg you couldn't have said it better

[edizzidydawg]

I've always felt uncomfortable telling talented and hard-working people with families that they are losers for seeking better compensation for what they do. I don't really understand what the issue is. Did the major label they sign on to endorse child molestation? Or do they poison public water supplies while we're sleeping? I'm confused as to why something is necessarily evil just because it's bigger.

[Goatman1028]

Dude you've moved on from Punk Rock, that's so admirable. Make another five songs talking about how you've moved on from it now. You're deep, Tom.

[shiphigh]

most people its about 'honesty', like, how can we take this guys lyrics seriously, and how can they seem heartfelt and strong, when it seems hes actually DOING the opposite of what he says he stands for. But for the most part, its just people adding on their own ideas with his lyrics, and putting words in his mouth. the past 2 records even have a substantial amount of songs ABOUT what theyve been going through with labels. they didnt sign to a label that wipes george bushes ass, so its cool =]

[Emilyexists]

some people are fucked up. you have to put yourself into the position of against me and understand the opportunities they have to be big. i'm not in love with their new album in comparison to their old stuff but get the fuck over it.

[mjguerette]

everyone is fucking stupid... if you like the band then you like them, if you like their lyrics then you like then, if you dont you dont who gives a shit about record labels and all that bullshit. if you stop liking a band solely because they signed to a record label (but you still like the music) then you're fucking stupid. if you dont like the music anymore because its "changed" then fine, but why would you waste your life away telling people over the internet?

[aboner352]

@mjguerette cuz it's cool????

[Laggy2000]

Well, if you liked a band for their aesthetic and being against something that they then joined up against it does mean something. And if you have seen/heard what real punk is then your opinion will change. P.S I am not taking sides.

[alivewthegloryoflove]

@mjguerette couldnt have said it better myself!

[Davychase89]

Its like ive always said.... If the band is confident in their music, then im confident in the band to make good music. Against Me! has made nothing but good music.

[kmind71]

@mjguerette Are you serious? They made a whole DVD about not signing to a major record label and then bam. We're pissed because we thought this band believed in the same shit we did and now they are complete hypocrites and their old songs will never be the same knowing they have little meaning now. Most of their fans just started getting into them in the past couple of years and only like their new stuff. That's fine but they're completely different than what they once were.

[LGFUAD21]

@kmind71 when you say "the same shit we believed in" do you mean elitism. "punk" is a joke these days, its a fashion trend as much as emo or goth i and its hypocritical that "punks" revolt against fashion and shit.

Listen to Teenage Anarchist- it explains how Tom felt he grew up and wanted to sing about real shit not uninformed politics

Frank Turner- Try This At Home- "Because the only thing that punk rock should ever really mean is not sitting round and waiting for the lights to go green"

[kmind71]

@LGFUAD21 You can't be more wrong on this if you are comparing a fashion trend to me. I literally wear plain t-shirts and jeans as well as buzz my hair myself whenever I need a haircut. I purposely make myself look as simple as possible because, like in my opinion, no should give a shit about looking like a punk or emo or whatever. So now you know what I fucking look like you judgmental hypocrite. So yes I will continue to revolt against "fashion and shit".

[interpolluter29]

@kmind71 The same DVD you are mentioning has fans giving them flack for hopping the DIY circuit and signing to Fat Wreck Chords. After all that, I'm sure signing to a major label like Sire (which seems to be a haven for indie bands that want more exposure) was nothing more than something to shrug at for Tom.

I admit that my first Against Me! album was New Wave. But I'm not just liking their new stuff, I'm working my way backwards in their discography. My personal favorite? SFAFC.

[AliBoulalaSTP]

@mjguerette amen, brother

[yngj77]

@mjguerette You obliviously are completely ignorant on what role record labels play in the music world. Your the one that's "fucking stupid".

[aboner352]

count how many times he says "ya know"

[girlbrat13]

@aboner352 a delicious amount

[hillshawks24]

i think propagandhi and strike anywhere were there to

that would have been a fuckin sick show

[Pugnacio]

Damn your taste is sick

[marlowe2003]

I met Tom and all of Against Me! at warped tour '08 and flat out told him that he didn't sell out. He is such a down to earth guy and I am really looking forward to hearing White Crosses! Also, You can hear in the background The Bouncing Souls play Lean on Sheena

[robbbbbbb77]

"our arenas: just bookstores and basements across an underground america"

[spectorari]

Grow up

[tokenchoke311]

make your money man! who cares what people think just keep your music real.

[Danjoyaux]

anybody wondering, first song is hopeless romantic - second is lean on sheena both by the bouncing souls.

bouncing souls & against me, sounds like a kickass show.

[funlivelife]

he's handsome

[asulkan]

you people make me sick! you think Gabel is doing this shit for you people!??? selfish morons. Its their music and their decisions and they really shouldnt give a fuck what you think.

[aboner352]

well asulkan this comment was just fucking retarded. think about what you just said. music may be about interpreting your personal feelings into art, but it's also about trying to connect and relate such feelings with others. i don't believe a band should make music specifically for the fans but they should definitely keep the fans in mind considering we keep food on their tables and a roof over their head. that being said i can tell you that i will love any music they put out.

[asulkan]

i couldnt care less about your opinion but thanks anyway...

[aboner352]

i was in love with the lyrics before the sound, and thats the way it remains.

[screechingweaselfan1]

i dont give a fuck hes a hyprocryt

[joegro2345]

i just dont know if tom realizes how much affect their music had on people...hopefully this next album will be just like the old ones

[screechingweaselfan1]

fuck that shit about how he says that the choice your band makes doesnt effect people. thats the whole beauty of punk, is how it effects other people and helps them get out of what ever hole there stuck in. fuck tom gambel hes a douche

[ScheenK]

fuck u

[Meddly86]

I don't see how them choosing what label they want to be on effect your life or others people lives.

[ktmyamaha01]

not other peoples "lives" persay, just their view on Against Me! i think

[EssoSteve]

punks means different things to different people. i think its punk to live your life the way you want and saying "fuck you" to anyone who tells you to be a certain way. he said fuck you to the people trying to run his life by telling him not to go to a major label. its his life, he can do what he wants. get over it. hes growing up and has a family. so he clearly needs the money anyways. if you dont like the music then why are you watching his vids on youtube?

[kamelrov]

Punk is about doing your own thing and living your life the way you want. Major label or not, who cares?

[EssoSteve]

that bouncing souls playing in the background?

[inuredbass]

lean on sheena

[scurlcube]

he is very smart

[scottyjohnston123]

I dont know, you know.

[mattyrotten]

I know, you know?

[alpod]

already recording, cool.