Formerly in rival bands on the Chicago local scene, guitarist Mike Carden and vocalist William Beckett came together in 2002 to mark the beginning of indie-emo rockers the Academy Is... (originally just named the Academy). Naming influences from U2 to Weezer to Pink Floyd, the duo added bassist Adam Siska, along with a second guitarist and drummer, to record 2004's The Academy EP for hometown label LLR Recordings. As luck would have it, fellow Chicagoan Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) heard the release, brought the band to the attention of his current label, and the guys were soon welcomed to the roster at Gainesville's Fueled by Ramen. Six months after Carden and Beckett got to work writing their full-length, the band headed to Florida to record. A few lineup changes came in 2004, as guitarist/vocalist Tom Conrad and drummer Andy Mrotek joined on as permanent members of the group. Relentless touring with the likes of Fall Out Boy, Something Corporate, Midtown, and Armor for Sleep steadily built a devoted fan following around the country before their very well-received label debut, Almost Here, was issued in February 2005. Gigs continued almost non-stop in support, and The Academy Is... released the six-song acoustic EP From the Carpet exclusively on iTunes in early 2006. It contained three new songs (including a cover of John Lennon's "Working Class Hero") and acoustic versions of tracks from Almost Here. Around the same time, the band could be found on the road headlining sold-out venues across the country with Acceptance, Hellogoodbye, and Panic! at the Disco. Following a summer spent on Warped Tour, the guys parted ways with Conrad in the fall of 2006 (replaced by guitarist Michael Guy Chislett) and began writing new material back in Chicago. The Academy Is... eventually entered a California studio with producer Butch Walker (All-American Rejects, Hot Hot Heat) to record what would become their sophomore effort, Santi, which was released in early April 2007.
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