The Academy Is … Over

The Chicago-based indie rock band is calling it quits after nearly nine years together.

The Academy Is … broke the news to fans over the weekend with a statement on the band’s website and Facebook page. The lineup featured William Beckett, Mike Garden and Adam T. Siska.

The group formed in 2003 and released its debut full-length album, Almost Here, in 2005. Its third and final album, Fast Times At Barrington High, was released in 2008.

Photo: Owen Sweeney
mtvU Sunblock Music Festival, Baltimore, Md.

In the band’s statement The Academy Is … wrote that looking back at the records released, the shows played, places they’d been and people they’d met, the group had “made its mark.” 

“We celebrate the experiences of our past, as we welcome what lies ahead. While we have never managed to make things easy on ourselves, it is safe to say that we have always found common ground in our love of music. And though we may not be together, you can look forward to hearing new music from each of us.

“The music we have made together is our gift to you. From this point on, The Academy Is… belongs to you. Feel free to listen. Listen as loud as you’d like. Yours, The Academy Is…”

The Academy Is … was scheduled to support Jack’s Mannequin on a round of U.S. and Canadian dates Oct. 24 through Nov. 12. The support slot will instead be filled by three bands, which will each perform a portion of the dates. The opening acts are expected to be announced soon.

Click here for the band’s website and here for the band’s Facebook page.