The Academy Is... Ridiculous Primer UPDATES
For anyone who keeps track, the original The Academy Is... Ridiculous Primer is now outdated because it was exceeding Livejournal's post limit. I had no idea it would ever get so big, so I had no plans for it to be split in two.
But now that it's been 6 months, there really should be updates, so that's what this post will be for. Any new updates that happen in the world of TAI will be added here. There will be a general band section, as well as individual updates for the guys, and a link section for their twitters and blogs and whatnot.
ETA 7/2/10 Added TAI's summer tour plans and Siska's new cat
ETA 3/18/10 Added some general band info and a few things about Bill, Siska and Butcher.
ETA 11/18/09 Added something about Bill I forgot.
ETA 11/15/09 Added some things to the Bill, Siska, Butcher and general sections.
The Academy Is... Updates
During the summer of '09, TAI wrote and recorded an EP! What's great about this is that they recorded it on their own without any drama whatsoever. What's also great is that the EP is fantastic.
Lost in Pacific Time was released on September 22, 2009 and it was the #2 album on iTunes on that day! It's only available digitally on iTunes and Amazon and physically from FBR's website and at the AP Fall Ball Tour, which was the main inspiration for writing the EP. TAI, along with Mayday Parade, won the AP magazine reader poll to headline their fall tour, which is currently going on.
With this win, they also got to appear on the cover of AP.
I'll let that amazing magazine cover sink in before continuing.
Now, there is lots to cover from that article (which can be read here), but with regards to things that just concern the band, the biggest thing to note is The Butcher talking about the direction TAI is most likely heading in. William really likes collaborating (Andrew McMahon of Jack's Mannequin/Something Corporate is featured on "Sputter" on the new EP, for instance), but the idea of it makes Butcher wary and it's something they need to talk about:
[We're] not afraid of each other, [we're] just afraid of this confrontation that could result in either a fistfight or this band breaking up.
And
I care about this band very much, but I care more about us living good lives and being friends and having functioning relationships," Mrotek says. "And without that, we can't write music together There's nothing inspiring about being alienated from your friends that you live with on a bus. I know they all know that, I'm just surprised that we've gone this long without addressing it. I guess any type of reckoning is a little frightening. But it needs to happen, and it's going to happen, and it's going to be good, because I know that everybody actually wants to be in this band. And that's the goddamn truth."
Some people might find this worrying, but I actually think it's great. TAI's always had a problem with honesty and showing their cards. They tend to wait until something gets too bad to fix to actually deal with it (see: Conrad, Tom), but the fact that Butcher feels comfortable enough to bring this significant issue up with a reporter says a lot. Butcher is not comfortable with the press, he never has been, so if he can talk to the journalist about it, he can talk to his band about it. He's supremely aware of how fragile the band (and any band) can be, especially when they've been together so long, and it's always going to involve a lot of effort to stay together. However, like he says, everyone wants to be in this band, so they will put whatever effort is needed into making TAI work.
Also, as you may know, Bill and Siska went on an acoustic tour earlier this year with Empires, Tom Conrad's band. Tom has never said anything about this, (well, other than a few passive aggressive remarks via his girlfriend's now locked twitter) but William was asked about that and here is what he said:
A lot of people were shocked, pleased but shocked that you took Empires on tour.
Mmhmm!
Why did you do that, was that objective, what happened with that?
It wasn’t objective. For me it was about closure, and it was about... the tour, it was just going to be me and Adam on the tour, and we knew that...
And no... Conflicting presences..
So it didn’t matter, it didn’t matter about... I mean there were! The conflicting presence was me, and Adam, and our relationship with Tom. Above all else, we like those guys, as a band...
I know Sean was a friend of yours...
Sean’s an old friend, Sean’s a really old friend, I actually was friends with Sean before I was friends with Tom, so you know, Sean and I have a very positive past, but for Tom, I felt like there was a lot left unresolved from when he left the band, so for me it was important to let him know how I felt and I think it was important for him to let me know how he felt about it all and we spoke, we sat down at a bar in Chicago - we hadn’t seen each other in a long time - and we talked it out, he told me some things he’d had on his chest and I told him some things, and I think that it did resolve some things, and bring some closure to it, and also, we had a really great time on the tour with them and it was fun to see them in their element, to see Tom in his element again, and playing music..
I’ve seen them, and he looks so happy with them, and he’s told me that he’s happier with them than he’s ever been... I don’t think that’s an insult!
No, it’s not an insult, it’s true. And, you know, that was the intention, because I knew that it’d be easier... I guess it was a selfish thing, for me, to have closure on it, because getting older; the last thing that I want is to have things on my conscience that I’m keeping in the closet, so to speak.
(the whole interview is here)
Will they ever be okay? I don't know, but I am glad the tour seemed to help and that Bill was the one who initiated it. I think that was good for him.
ETA 3/18/10
Bill and Tom celebrated New Year's Eve together!
:D
Also, since people are wondering, TAI TV is on official hiatus. Jack the Camera Guy wanted to pursue some other interests (he now films CobraCam for Cobra Starship for part of the year) and the guys wanted to take a break from it before they got completely burned out on forever. Bill said it's nice to focus on just the music during the week instead of scrambling to think of ideas for TAI TV, which is understandable. It will be back, eventually, though. (from this interview)
As for future plans, the band is going to finish the AP tour and do some one-off shows before the end of the year. After that, they plan to start writing and recording their fourth album, so we'll probably have more new music next year.
ETA 11/15/09 Siska mentioned here that TAI was ready to take a break. Some people viewed this as "TAI is breaking up!" news but it's not. They're going to finish the AP tour and then hang out with their families for awhile before getting back into writing. Bill has a child, Chiz is married and the rest are in relationships, it's not that surprising that they'd want to take some time just to be with their families and friends before starting the circus of writing/recording/touring all over again.
Also, Bill says not to worry, so I wouldn't.
ETA 3/18/10 Currently, TAI is working on a new music but also taking some time off. They played an Almost Here anniversary show in February and all the boys stayed in Chicago to work on new music (which Siska describes as unlike anything they've made before but if he had to choose, it's closer to Santi's sound) for awhile but now they are back doing their own things for awhile, which probably works best for them.
ETA 7/2/10 TAI is going on tour this summer! With you, you ask? KISS! Oh, how I wish I could be creative enough to make that up. But they are also planning some off-tour dates, so if seeing TAI and Kiss together is something you're not crazy about, keep a look out for those dates!
WILLIAM, MIKE, SISKA, BUTCHER AND MICHAEL UPDATES
William, unsurprisingly, has made the biggest news in the past few months:
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, William Beckett admitted to all things baby-related. He and Christine, his fiancee, have a two-year-old daughter, Genevieve. This really is something I never expected him to do, but his reasons for coming out about it are sincere and understandable. William has gone from being Mr. Revisionist History to shockingly honest in the past couple of years and I really do believe he was just tired of having a secret that made him really happy. He's always painfully earnest when he talks to fans, even to the point that the encounters are awkward, and I think he finally wanted everything out in the open.
Since this interview, the only mention he's made of his family was this Twitter update, but I figured this is how it would be. He's a dad and he wants to keep that part of his life private, which is completely understandable.
(I would just like to add that I personally find any mention of William being a "horrible" parent because of his decision regarding the privacy of his family to be offensive and uncalled for, no matter who you are. It's his life and his family, not yours)
Also, in case anyone forgot how BFF Bill and Siska are, this is what Siska had to say about this:
When asked if he's relieved now that this information will be out in the open, Siska says he's glad Beckett's talking about it, but hopes the fans don't dwell on it, either. "No one should be ashamed of [having a family]-and [Beckett] never has been for one second.
ETA 11/15/09 In case you wanted to know how Bill was dealing with the inevitable assholes who question him because of his decision to keep his daughter a secret for so long, this is how he does it. I love you, William Beckett.
ETA 11/18/09 I forgot to add that Bill recently did an advice column with Mat Devine of Kill Hannah. He's pretty sweet and very Bill Beckett in the column (he addresses everyone as "Dearest" for example) but the most eye-opening thing he said was in a response to a girl who was having some self-esteem issues.
Your question is anything but trivial. I can relate. When I was your age I was called "faggot" and "freak" in the hallways for the way I dressed and the music I listened to. I was also very underweight and went through a short bout of anorexia caused by anxiety and low self-esteem. As much as we try to drip dry after a shower of negativity and attacks, it slowly weighs you down. Over time, without a useful release, (like music, writing, friends, dancing, acting, debating, etc.) these feelings can end up drowning you.
Oh William Beckett. :(
ETA 3/18/10 William did a 2 hour podcast with Alternative Press magazine. If you are a TAI fan, you have to listen to it. Bill is long-winded and earnest and ridiculous (in other words, himself) and he talks at length about pretty much everything, including Tom's departure from the band and how much that hurt him and it's really, really great.
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In case you didn't notice it on the AP cover, Mike Carden CUT HIS HAIR. This has been a disturbing development, as it makes him look approximately 18 times more attractive than he ever has been. Do not be fooled, though!
He still wants to destroy you.
In all seriousness, Mike's been keeping it pretty laid back, like he does. He moved to Los Angeles and spends a lot of his time hanging out with Michael. (he even went to his wedding) I also heard a rumor that his girlfriend is Jared Leto's assistant, but I have no idea if it's true or not. He's also been hiking, eating healthier and reading Nick Hornby novels because I guess that's what they do out in LA.
Siska, on the other hand, has had a lot going on. On April 8, at one of the last shows on the acoustic tour, Siska sliced open his right index finger "when a glass beer bottle shattered in his hand as he was attempting to open it with another bottle." (from the AP article) For those keeping track, Butcher can do that trick, as he demonstrates in an episode of TAI TV. Oh Siska.
After this happened, Bill told everyone he screwed up his finger from "saving a damsel in distress" because that's what best friends do (lie for you to make you sound cooler). It was, however, a really bad injury.
He sliced through a tendon and a bunch of nerves in his finger that required surgery to repair and thus, he was unable to play bass for awhile.
Q- Weak. Moving right along. Any word on Sisky?
A- Yes. My baby boy called me yesterday, very bummed out. He said that he WONT be coming to the UK, he needs more surgeries. - The Butcher's blog
But because the Butcher loves him, he stepped in to play bass for Siska for the shows he was going to miss, while Nash from Armor to Sleep played drums.
.jpg)
I don't know what's weirder, seeing Butcher play Siska's bass or watching Butcher play music with clothes on.
Anyway, back to Sisky. While his band was playing without him, he went to Italy to relax and focus on getting his hand better. He apparently felt sorry for himself, at first, being obviously worried that he would never be able to play again, but thankfully, that wasn't the case. (Because seriously, what else could Siska ever do besides be in this band?) He got better and was back playing with his band in July.
He has said that while his hand is not 100%, yet, it should be with some more time.
Also, during all of this, Siska finally moved out of his parents' house and got himself another gender-confused cat.
This is Lucy. A boy kitten that now lives with him and his girlfriend. ETA 3/18/10 Siska renamed the cat Lucifer. I'm not sure who the cat lives with since I'm 80% sure Siska and his girlfriend broke up, but Siska did for real move out of his parents house, so there's that.
ETA 7/2/2010 Meet Mimosa, Mimi for short! Siska's new "angel." Oh Sisky. ♥
And while these are not updates, exactly, they are too adorable not to include:
Sisky as a little boy, drinking milk in a Chicago Bulls sweatshirt with ridiculously long hair.
Siska and his brother, Jason, being adorable with their old dog back in the Virgin Islands. (these pictures are from Siska's twitter, FYI)
ETA 7/2/10 I just wanted to add that Siska's family is still confusing as all get out. He still answers stuff on formspring and he recently said that Jason and he do not have the same dad and that Gibney was the name he was born with and his mom married into the Siska name. He also mentioned his dad dying again and from the answer he gave it seems like it was his biological dad that he lost when he was 15. But I still don't know who the other dads are of his 3 (besides his current stepdad) and how Joaquin Phoenix is involved. Sisky, please explain it to me, I'm so confused. :(
ETA 11/15/09 Siska has a new hairdo. For reasons I will probably never understand, he decided to cut all of his hair off. to match The Butcher.
ETA 3/18/10 Sisky got a formspring! It is well worth reading, there are lots of great tidbits and he finally explained Baby and his damn cats and I couldn't be more thrilled.
Besides filling in on bass for Sisky during the late spring/early summer, Butcher's been keeping busy with his art and apparently shaving his head. He's also been making music with unnamed members of Cobra Starship and Gym Class Heroes, but he doesn't have any plans to release it.
ETA 11/15/09 Also to add to the list of things Butcher can do:
He can cut hair!
ETA 3/18/10 Butcher has released his music! Butcher plays all of the instruments and sings, but Nate from Cobra Starship, Nash from Armor for Sleep and Tim William from Gym Class Heroes make cameos (drumming, drumming and singing, respectively.) The music is crazy good, somewhat of an indie/R&B/pop feel. Butcher also did an interview where he is adorable and weird and talks about his music and art. And before anyone starts freaking out, he also says:
TAI has effected everything that I do. Ive learned how to better craft my own songs and message through my time in the band. This certainly has NOT effected TAI, nor am I leaving the band. As they say “s’all gooood”, but it really is. I like being a drummer to most people, and I love to be so much more to the people who choose to find that out.
So no need to worry, my friends.
Chiz spent most of the year in Australia and Los Angeles (mostly LA) producing music for bands like Pistol Youth and Hillsong United before he went on to produce the Lost in Pacific Time EP. He said he wouldn't produce a full length, though, as the band has a problem of not listening to each other because they're like siblings, which might be the least shocking thing I've ever heard.
LINKS
Twitters
William
Siska
Michael
Butcher
Tony (TAI's long-suffering tour manager)
Mike does not have a twitter and will probably never get one.
Blogs/Personal sites
William's blog
Siska's blog
Butcher's art site
Butcher's Myspace
Michael's Myspace
Siska's Formspring
Tom's sites (in case anyone's interested)
Photography site
Photography blog
Twitter
Tom's formspring
Okay, I think that's it. Everything new will be added with ETA's posted at the top of the post. Thanks for reading/sharing!
(also thank you to summertea for lending me some server space so I could upload these photos!)
But now that it's been 6 months, there really should be updates, so that's what this post will be for. Any new updates that happen in the world of TAI will be added here. There will be a general band section, as well as individual updates for the guys, and a link section for their twitters and blogs and whatnot.
ETA 7/2/10 Added TAI's summer tour plans and Siska's new cat
ETA 3/18/10 Added some general band info and a few things about Bill, Siska and Butcher.
ETA 11/18/09 Added something about Bill I forgot.
ETA 11/15/09 Added some things to the Bill, Siska, Butcher and general sections.
The Academy Is... Updates
During the summer of '09, TAI wrote and recorded an EP! What's great about this is that they recorded it on their own without any drama whatsoever. What's also great is that the EP is fantastic.
Lost in Pacific Time was released on September 22, 2009 and it was the #2 album on iTunes on that day! It's only available digitally on iTunes and Amazon and physically from FBR's website and at the AP Fall Ball Tour, which was the main inspiration for writing the EP. TAI, along with Mayday Parade, won the AP magazine reader poll to headline their fall tour, which is currently going on.
With this win, they also got to appear on the cover of AP.
I'll let that amazing magazine cover sink in before continuing.
Now, there is lots to cover from that article (which can be read here), but with regards to things that just concern the band, the biggest thing to note is The Butcher talking about the direction TAI is most likely heading in. William really likes collaborating (Andrew McMahon of Jack's Mannequin/Something Corporate is featured on "Sputter" on the new EP, for instance), but the idea of it makes Butcher wary and it's something they need to talk about:
[We're] not afraid of each other, [we're] just afraid of this confrontation that could result in either a fistfight or this band breaking up.
And
I care about this band very much, but I care more about us living good lives and being friends and having functioning relationships," Mrotek says. "And without that, we can't write music together There's nothing inspiring about being alienated from your friends that you live with on a bus. I know they all know that, I'm just surprised that we've gone this long without addressing it. I guess any type of reckoning is a little frightening. But it needs to happen, and it's going to happen, and it's going to be good, because I know that everybody actually wants to be in this band. And that's the goddamn truth."
Some people might find this worrying, but I actually think it's great. TAI's always had a problem with honesty and showing their cards. They tend to wait until something gets too bad to fix to actually deal with it (see: Conrad, Tom), but the fact that Butcher feels comfortable enough to bring this significant issue up with a reporter says a lot. Butcher is not comfortable with the press, he never has been, so if he can talk to the journalist about it, he can talk to his band about it. He's supremely aware of how fragile the band (and any band) can be, especially when they've been together so long, and it's always going to involve a lot of effort to stay together. However, like he says, everyone wants to be in this band, so they will put whatever effort is needed into making TAI work.
Also, as you may know, Bill and Siska went on an acoustic tour earlier this year with Empires, Tom Conrad's band. Tom has never said anything about this, (well, other than a few passive aggressive remarks via his girlfriend's now locked twitter) but William was asked about that and here is what he said:
A lot of people were shocked, pleased but shocked that you took Empires on tour.
Mmhmm!
Why did you do that, was that objective, what happened with that?
It wasn’t objective. For me it was about closure, and it was about... the tour, it was just going to be me and Adam on the tour, and we knew that...
And no... Conflicting presences..
So it didn’t matter, it didn’t matter about... I mean there were! The conflicting presence was me, and Adam, and our relationship with Tom. Above all else, we like those guys, as a band...
I know Sean was a friend of yours...
Sean’s an old friend, Sean’s a really old friend, I actually was friends with Sean before I was friends with Tom, so you know, Sean and I have a very positive past, but for Tom, I felt like there was a lot left unresolved from when he left the band, so for me it was important to let him know how I felt and I think it was important for him to let me know how he felt about it all and we spoke, we sat down at a bar in Chicago - we hadn’t seen each other in a long time - and we talked it out, he told me some things he’d had on his chest and I told him some things, and I think that it did resolve some things, and bring some closure to it, and also, we had a really great time on the tour with them and it was fun to see them in their element, to see Tom in his element again, and playing music..
I’ve seen them, and he looks so happy with them, and he’s told me that he’s happier with them than he’s ever been... I don’t think that’s an insult!
No, it’s not an insult, it’s true. And, you know, that was the intention, because I knew that it’d be easier... I guess it was a selfish thing, for me, to have closure on it, because getting older; the last thing that I want is to have things on my conscience that I’m keeping in the closet, so to speak.
(the whole interview is here)
Will they ever be okay? I don't know, but I am glad the tour seemed to help and that Bill was the one who initiated it. I think that was good for him.
ETA 3/18/10
Bill and Tom celebrated New Year's Eve together!
:D
Also, since people are wondering, TAI TV is on official hiatus. Jack the Camera Guy wanted to pursue some other interests (he now films CobraCam for Cobra Starship for part of the year) and the guys wanted to take a break from it before they got completely burned out on forever. Bill said it's nice to focus on just the music during the week instead of scrambling to think of ideas for TAI TV, which is understandable. It will be back, eventually, though. (from this interview)
As for future plans, the band is going to finish the AP tour and do some one-off shows before the end of the year. After that, they plan to start writing and recording their fourth album, so we'll probably have more new music next year.
ETA 11/15/09 Siska mentioned here that TAI was ready to take a break. Some people viewed this as "TAI is breaking up!" news but it's not. They're going to finish the AP tour and then hang out with their families for awhile before getting back into writing. Bill has a child, Chiz is married and the rest are in relationships, it's not that surprising that they'd want to take some time just to be with their families and friends before starting the circus of writing/recording/touring all over again.
Also, Bill says not to worry, so I wouldn't.
ETA 3/18/10 Currently, TAI is working on a new music but also taking some time off. They played an Almost Here anniversary show in February and all the boys stayed in Chicago to work on new music (which Siska describes as unlike anything they've made before but if he had to choose, it's closer to Santi's sound) for awhile but now they are back doing their own things for awhile, which probably works best for them.
ETA 7/2/10 TAI is going on tour this summer! With you, you ask? KISS! Oh, how I wish I could be creative enough to make that up. But they are also planning some off-tour dates, so if seeing TAI and Kiss together is something you're not crazy about, keep a look out for those dates!
WILLIAM, MIKE, SISKA, BUTCHER AND MICHAEL UPDATES
William, unsurprisingly, has made the biggest news in the past few months:
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, William Beckett admitted to all things baby-related. He and Christine, his fiancee, have a two-year-old daughter, Genevieve. This really is something I never expected him to do, but his reasons for coming out about it are sincere and understandable. William has gone from being Mr. Revisionist History to shockingly honest in the past couple of years and I really do believe he was just tired of having a secret that made him really happy. He's always painfully earnest when he talks to fans, even to the point that the encounters are awkward, and I think he finally wanted everything out in the open.
Since this interview, the only mention he's made of his family was this Twitter update, but I figured this is how it would be. He's a dad and he wants to keep that part of his life private, which is completely understandable.
(I would just like to add that I personally find any mention of William being a "horrible" parent because of his decision regarding the privacy of his family to be offensive and uncalled for, no matter who you are. It's his life and his family, not yours)
Also, in case anyone forgot how BFF Bill and Siska are, this is what Siska had to say about this:
When asked if he's relieved now that this information will be out in the open, Siska says he's glad Beckett's talking about it, but hopes the fans don't dwell on it, either. "No one should be ashamed of [having a family]-and [Beckett] never has been for one second.
ETA 11/15/09 In case you wanted to know how Bill was dealing with the inevitable assholes who question him because of his decision to keep his daughter a secret for so long, this is how he does it. I love you, William Beckett.
ETA 11/18/09 I forgot to add that Bill recently did an advice column with Mat Devine of Kill Hannah. He's pretty sweet and very Bill Beckett in the column (he addresses everyone as "Dearest" for example) but the most eye-opening thing he said was in a response to a girl who was having some self-esteem issues.
Your question is anything but trivial. I can relate. When I was your age I was called "faggot" and "freak" in the hallways for the way I dressed and the music I listened to. I was also very underweight and went through a short bout of anorexia caused by anxiety and low self-esteem. As much as we try to drip dry after a shower of negativity and attacks, it slowly weighs you down. Over time, without a useful release, (like music, writing, friends, dancing, acting, debating, etc.) these feelings can end up drowning you.
Oh William Beckett. :(
ETA 3/18/10 William did a 2 hour podcast with Alternative Press magazine. If you are a TAI fan, you have to listen to it. Bill is long-winded and earnest and ridiculous (in other words, himself) and he talks at length about pretty much everything, including Tom's departure from the band and how much that hurt him and it's really, really great.
In case you didn't notice it on the AP cover, Mike Carden CUT HIS HAIR. This has been a disturbing development, as it makes him look approximately 18 times more attractive than he ever has been. Do not be fooled, though!
He still wants to destroy you.
In all seriousness, Mike's been keeping it pretty laid back, like he does. He moved to Los Angeles and spends a lot of his time hanging out with Michael. (he even went to his wedding) I also heard a rumor that his girlfriend is Jared Leto's assistant, but I have no idea if it's true or not. He's also been hiking, eating healthier and reading Nick Hornby novels because I guess that's what they do out in LA.
Siska, on the other hand, has had a lot going on. On April 8, at one of the last shows on the acoustic tour, Siska sliced open his right index finger "when a glass beer bottle shattered in his hand as he was attempting to open it with another bottle." (from the AP article) For those keeping track, Butcher can do that trick, as he demonstrates in an episode of TAI TV. Oh Siska.
After this happened, Bill told everyone he screwed up his finger from "saving a damsel in distress" because that's what best friends do (lie for you to make you sound cooler). It was, however, a really bad injury.
He sliced through a tendon and a bunch of nerves in his finger that required surgery to repair and thus, he was unable to play bass for awhile.
Q- Weak. Moving right along. Any word on Sisky?
A- Yes. My baby boy called me yesterday, very bummed out. He said that he WONT be coming to the UK, he needs more surgeries. - The Butcher's blog
But because the Butcher loves him, he stepped in to play bass for Siska for the shows he was going to miss, while Nash from Armor to Sleep played drums.
I don't know what's weirder, seeing Butcher play Siska's bass or watching Butcher play music with clothes on.
Anyway, back to Sisky. While his band was playing without him, he went to Italy to relax and focus on getting his hand better. He apparently felt sorry for himself, at first, being obviously worried that he would never be able to play again, but thankfully, that wasn't the case. (Because seriously, what else could Siska ever do besides be in this band?) He got better and was back playing with his band in July.
He has said that while his hand is not 100%, yet, it should be with some more time.
Also, during all of this, Siska finally moved out of his parents' house and got himself another gender-confused cat.
This is Lucy. A boy kitten that now lives with him and his girlfriend. ETA 3/18/10 Siska renamed the cat Lucifer. I'm not sure who the cat lives with since I'm 80% sure Siska and his girlfriend broke up, but Siska did for real move out of his parents house, so there's that.
ETA 7/2/2010 Meet Mimosa, Mimi for short! Siska's new "angel." Oh Sisky. ♥
And while these are not updates, exactly, they are too adorable not to include:
Sisky as a little boy, drinking milk in a Chicago Bulls sweatshirt with ridiculously long hair.
Siska and his brother, Jason, being adorable with their old dog back in the Virgin Islands. (these pictures are from Siska's twitter, FYI)
ETA 7/2/10 I just wanted to add that Siska's family is still confusing as all get out. He still answers stuff on formspring and he recently said that Jason and he do not have the same dad and that Gibney was the name he was born with and his mom married into the Siska name. He also mentioned his dad dying again and from the answer he gave it seems like it was his biological dad that he lost when he was 15. But I still don't know who the other dads are of his 3 (besides his current stepdad) and how Joaquin Phoenix is involved. Sisky, please explain it to me, I'm so confused. :(
ETA 11/15/09 Siska has a new hairdo. For reasons I will probably never understand, he decided to cut all of his hair off. to match The Butcher.
ETA 3/18/10 Sisky got a formspring! It is well worth reading, there are lots of great tidbits and he finally explained Baby and his damn cats and I couldn't be more thrilled.
Besides filling in on bass for Sisky during the late spring/early summer, Butcher's been keeping busy with his art and apparently shaving his head. He's also been making music with unnamed members of Cobra Starship and Gym Class Heroes, but he doesn't have any plans to release it.
ETA 11/15/09 Also to add to the list of things Butcher can do:
He can cut hair!
ETA 3/18/10 Butcher has released his music! Butcher plays all of the instruments and sings, but Nate from Cobra Starship, Nash from Armor for Sleep and Tim William from Gym Class Heroes make cameos (drumming, drumming and singing, respectively.) The music is crazy good, somewhat of an indie/R&B/pop feel. Butcher also did an interview where he is adorable and weird and talks about his music and art. And before anyone starts freaking out, he also says:
TAI has effected everything that I do. Ive learned how to better craft my own songs and message through my time in the band. This certainly has NOT effected TAI, nor am I leaving the band. As they say “s’all gooood”, but it really is. I like being a drummer to most people, and I love to be so much more to the people who choose to find that out.
So no need to worry, my friends.
Chiz spent most of the year in Australia and Los Angeles (mostly LA) producing music for bands like Pistol Youth and Hillsong United before he went on to produce the Lost in Pacific Time EP. He said he wouldn't produce a full length, though, as the band has a problem of not listening to each other because they're like siblings, which might be the least shocking thing I've ever heard.
LINKS
Twitters
William
Siska
Michael
Butcher
Tony (TAI's long-suffering tour manager)
Mike does not have a twitter and will probably never get one.
Blogs/Personal sites
William's blog
Siska's blog
Butcher's art site
Butcher's Myspace
Michael's Myspace
Siska's Formspring
Tom's sites (in case anyone's interested)
Photography site
Photography blog
Tom's formspring
Okay, I think that's it. Everything new will be added with ETA's posted at the top of the post. Thanks for reading/sharing!
(also thank you to summertea for lending me some server space so I could upload these photos!)