Coming together in 2002 from independent projects in the Chicago suburbs, The Academy Is… was formed when singer/songwriter William Beckett and guitarist Mike Carden realized a shared passion for music, a love of both classic and “indie” rock and the desire to impact people in a positive way through music.
Releasing an EP of unique and assertive songs in 2004, they quickly caught the eye of fellow Chicago music scene alumni Pete Wentz and were signed to the label Fueled by Ramen. This led to recording their debut album Almost Here and a relentless touring schedule including tours with Fall Out Boy, Motion City Soundtrack, Something Corporate, All American Rejects and appearing at the summer music festival Warped Tour in 2006.
2007 brought a multitude of success for the band. In April they released the critically lauded sophomore album Santi, toured over the summer with friends and label mates Fall Out Boy on the Honda Civic tour and headlined their own Sleeping With Giants Tour in the fall.While on the road they began writing songs for their third album Fast Times at Barrington High which was released in August 2008 after a summer of returning to the Vans Warped Tour and performing to record crowds on the main stage.
The band co-headlined the AP Fall Ball Tour with Mayday Parade in Fall of 2009, and released their new EP Lost in Pacific Time in September. The band is currently writing their upcoming record.
FAN CULTURE: Occasionally called the sixth member of TAI… is Jack “Camera Guy” Edinger who took over as photographer and videographer when Jon Walker left his position as bass technician to join a little band called Panic at the Disco. Jack is responsible for creating the wildly popular episodes of TAI TV which are film shorts documenting the (mis)adventures of the band.These air Sunday nights at 8 p.m. CST at their Official Site but can be delayed due to touring, time zones or other mishaps. Jack is also the go-to guy for their fan club, Santi's Little Helpers, so watch for him at your next TAI… show! The band has a very loyal and active fan base with fans keeping in touch through the message boards on the fan club site or the band’s Livejournal community.