"Yes, the song is a true story. My friend CC and I used to work at this bar in Gainesville called the Top. She was the bartender, I was the doorman. We used to hang out after closing, getting high, having drinks, listening to records. We both had each other's names tattooed. Life moved on and we fell out of touch. A little over a year ago I got a call telling me that she had been murdered. At the funeral her mother asked me to write a song for her, so I did."
Years after drifting apart, said friend thought that Grace had written “Thrash Unreal”about her, which is a song detailing an aging partier and drug addict. Although this was not true, Laura never got the chance to tell her friend this before her untimely passing. After the funeral, the friend’s mother] took me aside and told me that CC thought the song “Thrash Unreal” was written about her, that it had hurt and embarrassed her, that they had talked about itas recently as a week before her death. She made me promise on the spot to write a song that made up for it. So I didn’t sleep for about a week, until I wrote “Because Of The Shame”. The song itself is heavily influenced by Bruce Springsteen, particularly “No Surrender” as Grace and her friends would frequently listen to Springsteen while they were smoking.
I changed my My Views probably 6 months ago and I turn into a Republican and I see myself as a pussy ass poser but at the same time I see myself loving the bands I've always loved and if Tom Gabel or Laura Jane Grace wants to come up and give me a hug and give me some advice about life that I could take into consideration because I felt the same way he and or she did at one point in time but I grew out of it I don't know if it was the right a wrong move but I feel like I've done the right thing and I feel like you've done the right thing for yourself I don't agree with this transgender s*** but I love you as a person as a woman and as a man cuz I knew you as both end
Thank you for sharing this quote. As a vegetarian/vegan graduate PhD student at UF, I used to hang around The Top a lot (the ancho black bean cakes are the best!). I thought that the song was about the person you described. At the time, I knew Laura but called her Tom, Warren was still in the band and was a freegan pioneer, and I was dating a riot grrrl who was best known for the wide-scale circulation of her zines and her involvement with getting WFTA off the ground. G'ville will always have a special place in my heart!
Laura and Against Me's music in general have given me the courage to start the process of accepting myself as genderfluid. Laura is an amazing role model. Screaming her lungs out at shows and then getting manicures with her daughter at the salon. :)
I stay clean because I put the work into my recovery but the lyrics to Against me!'s songs help me want to put the work in. I thank laura jane for being strong in her life struggles so I can have inspiration to be strong in mine. And I thank her band for being so accepting of their friend, it shows us all that true friendship exists and we don't have to settle for a crowd when theres a handful that truly love us!
The Lily Project its good that you work your recovery because if you're not working on recovery you are working on a relapse. however even though the song starts out talking about getting high its not about losing someone to addiction. it was written about an old friend who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was murdered by being shot. when tom/laura called her mother to give condolences the mother asked him (@ the time he was still tom....not trying to be disrespectful by any means. trans rights all the way in my book and that starts by addressing them by the proper name and using the proper pronouns to suit the person) to write a song for her daughter who had remained a huge against me! fan despite them no longer being close.
@The² Lily Project; You are very linguistically talented... I really appreciate the way you made it very clear that Against Me! was NOT the singular and magical force behind your sobriety, that YOU used hard work, and inner strength to get sober and maintain your sobriety, Against Me! was the motivational soundtrack that made it a little more sweet sounding along the way. I hope you're still going strong with your sobriety, as for me.... well.... I'm not doing so well, my demons are resilient, hateful little monsters that have their claws dug in much too deep in my scarred and bloody flesh to allow me the blissful and much longed for peace of a substance free day and a nightmare free night.... There's always hope, but because of the shame I am still dirty tonight....
They felt it a'lot stronger when they wrote it on heroin and then played it in front of masses lol. Could not imagine the endorphins rush they suppress when doing their thing live.
@@NatiBo-hn6fwidk lol, I've probably listened to this song a few thousand times and it still kills me every single time. You're right though, of course.
FennexIsTheName La guitare acoustique peut prendre n'importe son, même le métal. Les gens semblent souvent oublier qu'on a pas besoin nécessairement d'arrangement musicaux à en plus finir. Quand un artiste donne une couleur, une émotion à une chanson il n'y a rien de mieux que le live. Même si il y a parfois quelques petites fausses notes.
The beauty of it is that you can choose. I love when bands will do both, but sometimes it sucks if the one you prefer isn't studio recorded, or if there's no good quality live version. There's a few songs that I love that have no good recordings, and it breaks my heart! If anyone out there by chance have any of these, I'll gladly trade you for it. BAND-SONGS-INFO 1. J CHURCH - Stupid lesson - there's a bad quality live version on an album. 2. JAWBREAKER - for esme, elephant, Gemini - there's some bad quality live versions floating around. 3. JETS TO BRAZIL - afterhour perfection, 6 song demo - afterhour perfection has a few good quality live videos out there, but there was an earlier version where it was it was "rockin" all the way through (does anyone have a studio version? I've heard it was recorded for "orange rhyming dictionary" but never found it.) I also need a good quality version of the 6 song demo, the one I have is really bad! Thanks guys
We used to get high together, instead of getting high alone. I can't remember the last time I saw you. I can't remember the last time we talked. You left home for a fresh start, Working as a waitress down in Bradenton. With my name tattoo'd into your skin. Because of the shame I associate with vulnerability I am numbing myself completely. Can you hear me right now? I watched your mother bury you today, with tears in her eyes. It wasn't her words that shook me, it was the resemblance you shared. Don't it feel so detached and unreal? Don't it seem so far away? Like the past never happened, or like nothings ever changed. With your casket open in front of me, Your eyes closed and your lips silent. With my name tattoo'd into your skin. Because of the shame I associate with vulnerability I am numbing myself completely. Can you hear me right now? I watched your mother bury you today, with tears in her eyes. It wasn't her words that shook me, it was the resemblance you shared. I didn't listen to the preacher. I couldn't look your husband in the eyes. I'm not sure what I meant to you then, So I'm not sure what I owe you now. But if something I said hurt you I swear it was not my intention. With your name tattoo'd into my skin. Because of the shame I associate with vulnerability I am numbing myself completely. Can you hear me right now? I watched your mother bury you today, with tears in her eyes. It wasn't her words that shook me, it was the resemblance you shared.
laura is beautiful and she's so brave for rocking the deep voice even today. idk if she was out in this video, but god her voice is so raw and beautiful here.
this makes me disheartened as well as in sure it does Tom to see that all anyone is talking about is this part of his/her personal life that has nothing to do with the music. lets comment on how we've listened to against me since high school or how the music's changed over the years or something cliché like that. That's what you see on every other good bands songs. 1st comment i read coming here was 'she's beautiful... And something about goin straight.' have any of these bandwagoners heard disco before the breakdown or reinventing axle rose?????
+JJ Weaver I got beef with the sex change only cause of the change in vocals due to hormone changes soul is still thee though for sure, just preferences in sound
+nubzar1 it's funny when he 1st said he was becoming a she I said damn now his vocal chords will change... that's gay. but I haven't noticed a difference except for in actual speech...?
+nubzar1 Hormones and Gender Reassignment Surgery don't affect trans women's voices. Change in voice comes with vocal lessons. It's also something that just changes over time for everyone.
So, I was working the other night...this girl comes in and she's like, fucking gorgeous. And says "OH MY GOD THIS IS A GOOD SONG!" Because I had my ipod playing on a speaker and I had Against me playing and this song was on. We talked for a good few minutes and she was like "I didn't know anyone even knew of them in this town!" it was awesome.
I can't stop listining to this song. Simple, honest and from the heart. When all you have is a guitar and a voice and you can make time stop for 3 minutes, that's when you have done something brilliant.
"We used to get high together instead of getting high alone." That's really what it's all about in the end, our need for connection, our need to feel like someone is in this with us, to share the pipe...peace or otherwise...especially otherwise. #AgainstMe
The saddest part of how true what you just said, it seems that since I stopped getting high, I've got noone left to sit with. It hurts. But im not getting high anymore. Though im still sitting
God I love this song, one of my best friends took her life when I was 15. I watched her mother bury her with tears in her eyes, and Laura is so right, it wasn’t her words that shook me, it was the resemblance they shared. Our lives are like the wind… Or like sounds… We come into being, resonate with each other. Then fade away…
God.... I'm in a sober living right now, just learned the song but wish so badly I could belt it out without getting yelled at hahaha! She's an amazing artist
First I was a bit confused, but then I was like it's the punk spirit! If I don't support her what the FCK would become with the rest of humanity. If we punks (as usual) set the example again?
This is talent at it's greatest. A one take video that sounds this good... Fucking amazing. Plus the heart-wrenching emotion that comes with this song? Absolutely fucking epic. The destroyed garage was an excellent touch. This video should have far more than the views that it does have.
Fantastic band. Laura Jane Grace is amazing and the best kind of "role model", an honest one. Punk is all about being honest and authentic and Against Me! embodies the concept.
You’re an idiot. Laura has come out and stated that the hormones don’t effect her voice at all, and if you actually listen to recent albums her singing voice sounds exactly the same. Don’t be an ignorant jackass
Yeah, you've got to do voice training or get VFS, which is costly and has a very long recovery time. Voice training is good for speaking, and works on pitch, resonance, and how you say certain sounds. However, with singing it's less applicable, just because of vocal range and all that. Although I would say some of her enunciation is a bit different.
@@fairguinevere666voice training can help with singing, if my friends are any example. i believe from what i've heard that laura just didn't want to alter it too much? she has a beautiful voice, like, insanely powerful, and if i were in her place i would love it too. she did change enunciation a bit, might just be getting older, or changing her style a bit, or personal preference. very striking! as a singer, she is a MASSIVE inspiration to me.
Laura is such an amazing singer, I really regret the time she played a show in my small city. I went hiking instead but really wish I saw her sing as she has become one of my favorite artists, someday I shall see you sing and play and that day will become the greatest day of my life.
Saw them live way back in 2006, and still the best show of my life. Trees in Dallas, Tx. With Smoke or Fire and The Soviettes. Killer show. (and way too few people there.. but that's being a punk in Tx)
"Hey stop at this abandoned building up here. I need to get some shit off my chest." that's the conversation they had right before this video was shot.
iv only just found out about this fantastic band thanks to alternative press! Her voice just blows me away the lyrics just everything is fantastic! even the guitar is beautiful sounding! im in love!
Never even heard Against Me! before this song. I read a lot about the story behind this song and about (formerly) Tom's life choices to continue life as a woman. Major respect for this person's talents and courage. I am definitely a fan.
We used to get high together Instead of getting high alone Can't remember the last time I saw you Can't remember the last time we talked You left home for a fresh start Working as a waitress down in Bradenton With my name tattooed into your skin Because of the shame I associate with vulnerability I am numbing myself completely Can you hear me right now? I watched your mother bury you today, with tears in her eyes Oh it wasn't her words that shook me But the resemblance you shared Woah, woah Don't it seem so detached and unreal? Don't it seem so far away? Like the past never happened Or like nothing's ever changed With your casket open in front of me Your eyes closed and your lips silent My name tattooed into your skin Because of the shame I associate with vulnerability I am numbing myself completely Can you hear me right now? I watched your mother bury you today, with tears in her eyes Oh it wasn't her words that shook me But the resemblance you shared Woah, woah Didn't listen to the preacher Couldn't look your husband in the eye Well, I'm not sure what I meant to you then So I'm not sure what I owe you now But if something I said hurt you I swear it was not my intention With your name tattooed into my skin With your name tattooed into my skin Because of the shame I associate with vulnerability I am numbing myself completely Can you hear me right now? I watched your mother bury you today, with tears in her eyes Oh it wasn't her words that shook me But the resemblance you shared Oh it wasn't her words that shook me But the resemblance you shared Woah, woah, woah, woah Can you hear me right now? Can you hear me right now?
When a guy with only his guitar and his voice makes sound a song as Epic as this one, then you ask yourself if there's anything can beat that? Can't wait to see new videos and hear new material from Against Me! we need a new record!
Tom Gabel wrote this song about a friend of his named C.C. who was killed. He wrote this song for her. The guitar line sounds a lot like "No Surrender" by Bruce Springsteen. This was also intentional, Tom said, because he and C.C. would hang out together and listen to him together. He said he made it that way so it would remind him of those nights he spent with her. Cheers :)
I LOVE it. ..... just a guitar and an awesome voice and awesome lyrics in a run down shed and it still can gimme chills better than stuff coming straight out the studio
Bless you, Laura, and everyone else. We’re with you all and stand strong beside you no matter what~ You’re all loved and supported, fully and forever so be free and enjoy life because you have friends that have your back.
Every time I come back to this video and listen to this song, I can't help picking up my guitar and playing along. I don't know what it is about this song in particular but there is a rare contagious energy to it and it makes me feel connected.
RockME AllDeus Who gives a shit? I mean, what right do we even have to speculate on or give two fucks about her underwear, when we should be enjoying the fact that she makes good music.
Listened to this song many times before she came out and would have never imagined that Tom Gable would turn into Laura Jane Grace. People can be so good at hiding things and no one would even suspect it.
Talking Sink Have you heard the song "Pretty Girls"? She changed lyrics because she didn't want anyone knowing. She redid the song with the actual lyrics she had written back then.
It is not about that. It is about an old acquaintance of his that died. Her mother told him that she believed that the song "Thrash Unreal" was about her. That is why he said "If something I said hurt you, that was never my intention".
see this, this kinda irks me. Because she has had a sex change, every creative decision she had is related. Everyone in infinitely complicated, she should not be know as sex change musician.
Every lyric of every one of your tracks is amazing....can only imagine what it's like in that head of yours. I personally prefer your stripped down acoustic versions to the studio's but thats just me. Keep doing what you are doing Tom and you will always have a fan in me. Your music speaks on so many different levels and has been an inspiration to me. Thank you to you and the rest of the band for a great show in Chicago the other night. Come back anytime and see us again!!
Holy shit against me is like my favorite band just really started listening to them this year and their music has saved my life through so many hard depressing times but it wasn't until now that I found out the singer is trans and that makes me love their music even more
all you fucking people commenting "she has such a great voice", "she is so beautiful" she this and she that, WE GET IT you want to be trendy and show everyone how accepting and rad you are because her transition doesn't bother you...WE GET IT. If she never transitioned , this many people wouldnt be commenting all these compliments and shit, you would just listen to the music.
I saw her perform acoustically this year at punk rock bowling for the first time. She blew me away and made the opening acoustic artists sound so small. She's amazing! ❤️
oh my god dog oh my god i am soorries little huntre was just reminding you that oh my god dog i am so sorry little huntre was just so much colder then you were
I'm so proud of you, Laura. Your music with AM! has gotten me through my mother's suicide, my brother's heroin addiction, and helped me get the strength to be happy and follow my dreams. I'm happy I got to meet you guys a few years ago! Rooting for you to find your true happiness
Is correct to say "her" when talking about this video? If talking about Laura now, then obviously you would say "her". But in this video it's Tom, but that's not who she is anymore. What is correct, when speaking about the person in the video, not the person now?
Yes, it's correct to use "her" and call her Laura when talking about her pre-transition. You should never really refer to a trans person by their former name, as a general rule.
Here's a question as well... since we're talking about a punk artist ...and since punks are notorious for fighting against placing labels, is it really appropriate nor necessary to place a label? Since the person in question is associating ones self as a woman, then it really comes down to a matter of respect and respecting how that person wants to presently be viewed. Since Laura currently associates herself as a female then I would say its perfectly acceptable to address past and present Laura as "her". However, since labels are bullshit anyhow... it is perfectly acceptable to address Laura however you want to despite how that person may view themselves. Self perspective is almost always different than how other people perceive you anyhow so it really makes no difference. Any which way you decide... Laura remains a brave and talented individual and that is enough for me either which way.
Taking t-blockers and estrogen doesn't change your voice. It's literally impossible for hormones to affect her voice. If you're going to be a rude prick, at least be less ignorant about it. Also, a woman wrote and performed this song, so it is correct to refer to her as a woman. Having a deep voice isn't what makes this song beautiful. It's the lyrics and emotion, which comes from Laura's experiences. She doesn't need to singing in fucking falsetto to be genuine.
This is how I record my songs too-live & in one take! It doesn't get anymore raw than this-no need for studio tricks or autotune, just pure, raw, talent & feeling! Real music by someone who understands real struggle-Laura...you are awesome! Good for you, finding yourself, being true to yourself in the face of adversity, of others expectations & helping to educate those who don't understand! You give voice to those who so often are silenced by fear & discrimination! You go girl! RocknRoll!
I'm very serious, gender is a role not a medical term, a woman can be a "father-figure" in many other places of the world. It's a social construct. Things can be gendered like colors, jobs, items, etc.. Maybe It wasn't clear what I meant. For ex. In some places if your sex is male you are not necessarily labeled a male until a certain age or after a certain rite. I meant gender doesn't always have to rely on sex.
![Against Me! - "I Was A Teenage Anarchist" HD [Official Video]](/img/1.gif)
"Yes, the song is a true story. My friend CC and I used to work at this bar in Gainesville called the Top. She was the bartender, I was the doorman. We used to hang out after closing, getting high, having drinks, listening to records. We both had each other's names tattooed. Life moved on and we fell out of touch. A little over a year ago I got a call telling me that she had been murdered. At the funeral her mother asked me to write a song for her, so I did."
Thus made me so sad to read this.... Idk why. But i felt something
Years after drifting apart, said friend thought that Grace had written “Thrash Unreal”about her, which is a song detailing an aging partier and drug addict.
Although this was not true, Laura never got the chance to tell her friend this before her untimely passing.
After the funeral, the friend’s mother] took me aside and told me that CC thought the song “Thrash Unreal” was written about
her, that it had hurt and embarrassed her, that they had talked about itas recently as a week before her death. She made me promise on the spot to write a song that made up for it. So I didn’t sleep for about a week, until I wrote “Because Of The Shame”.
The song itself is heavily influenced by Bruce Springsteen, particularly “No Surrender” as Grace and her friends would frequently listen to Springsteen while they were smoking.
I changed my My Views probably 6 months ago and I turn into a Republican and I see myself as a pussy ass poser but at the same time I see myself loving the bands I've always loved and if Tom Gabel or Laura Jane Grace wants to come up and give me a hug and give me some advice about life that I could take into consideration because I felt the same way he and or she did at one point in time but I grew out of it I don't know if it was the right a wrong move but I feel like I've done the right thing and I feel like you've done the right thing for yourself I don't agree with this transgender s*** but I love you as a person as a woman and as a man cuz I knew you as both end
@@tomblair5379 Tom Blair, in America, people are free. Get over it, snowflake.
Thank you for sharing this quote. As a vegetarian/vegan graduate PhD student at UF, I used to hang around The Top a lot (the ancho black bean cakes are the best!). I thought that the song was about the person you described. At the time, I knew Laura but called her Tom, Warren was still in the band and was a freegan pioneer, and I was dating a riot grrrl who was best known for the wide-scale circulation of her zines and her involvement with getting WFTA off the ground. G'ville will always have a special place in my heart!
I recently have come out as a trans woman to a small group of people and I only had the courage because of Laura ❤
Laura and Against Me's music in general have given me the courage to start the process of accepting myself as genderfluid. Laura is an amazing role model. Screaming her lungs out at shows and then getting manicures with her daughter at the salon. :)
You are a beautiful light upon the darkness. Never stop shining!
You are worth everything. Shine! And be a beacon in the darkness.
good luck with your journey to freedom
Good onya mate, hope you're happy.
That's music, someone pouring out their soul. Doesn't need production, just someone with a camera phone in a busted out garage
Theres times when this song doesn't make me cry. Todays not one of those times.
Truth.
Helcolina Plasticine i feel you
I stay clean because I put the work into my recovery but the lyrics to Against me!'s songs help me want to put the work in. I thank laura jane for being strong in her life struggles so I can have inspiration to be strong in mine. And I thank her band for being so accepting of their friend, it shows us all that true friendship exists and we don't have to settle for a crowd when theres a handful that truly love us!
The Lily Project its good that you work your recovery because if you're not working on recovery you are working on a relapse. however even though the song starts out talking about getting high its not about losing someone to addiction. it was written about an old friend who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was murdered by being shot. when tom/laura called her mother to give condolences the mother asked him (@ the time he was still tom....not trying to be disrespectful by any means. trans rights all the way in my book and that starts by addressing them by the proper name and using the proper pronouns to suit the person) to write a song for her daughter who had remained a huge against me! fan despite them no longer being close.
Keep on.
BURNEDTORSO 666 I love your words, “If you are not working on recovery you are working on a relapse”
💯💯💯💯💯 Thrash Unreal is my recovery anthem
@The² Lily Project;
You are very linguistically talented... I really appreciate the way you made it very clear that Against Me! was NOT the singular and magical force behind your sobriety, that YOU used hard work, and inner strength to get sober and maintain your sobriety,
Against Me! was the motivational soundtrack that made it a little more sweet sounding along the way.
I hope you're still going strong with your sobriety, as for me.... well.... I'm not doing so well, my demons are resilient, hateful little monsters that have their claws dug in much too deep in my scarred and bloody flesh to allow me the blissful and much longed for peace of a substance free day and a nightmare free night....
There's always hope, but because of the shame I am still dirty tonight....
I don’t know how musicians can sing songs like this without breaking down. 😓🖤
Practice
They felt it a'lot stronger when they wrote it on heroin and then played it in front of masses lol. Could not imagine the endorphins rush they suppress when doing their thing live.
@@NatiBo-hn6fwidk lol, I've probably listened to this song a few thousand times and it still kills me every single time. You're right though, of course.
They do hundreds of times until they can hold it together
Why do I love all the acoustic versions better??
I'm with ya on that one
FennexIsTheName La guitare acoustique peut prendre n'importe son, même le métal. Les gens semblent souvent oublier qu'on a pas besoin nécessairement d'arrangement musicaux à en plus finir. Quand un artiste donne une couleur, une émotion à une chanson il n'y a rien de mieux que le live. Même si il y a parfois quelques petites fausses notes.
same.
The beauty of it is that you can choose. I love when bands will do both, but sometimes it sucks if the one you prefer isn't studio recorded, or if there's no good quality live version. There's a few songs that I love that have no good recordings, and it breaks my heart! If anyone out there by chance have any of these, I'll gladly trade you for it. BAND-SONGS-INFO
1. J CHURCH - Stupid lesson - there's a bad quality live version on an album.
2. JAWBREAKER - for esme, elephant, Gemini - there's some bad quality live versions floating around.
3. JETS TO BRAZIL - afterhour perfection, 6 song demo - afterhour perfection has a few good quality live videos out there, but there was an earlier version where it was it was "rockin" all the way through (does anyone have a studio version? I've heard it was recorded for "orange rhyming dictionary" but never found it.) I also need a good quality version of the 6 song demo, the one I have is really bad!
Thanks guys
I love them too
This song- especially THIS acoustic version- guts and heals my very soul.
Ah it appears you've decided to read the comments! Don't! Let this be the last comment you ever read! Don't!! Do!! It!!
+Memelord :)
+ghost boy edits Nice try Zakk.
thnx fren
stellar y didn't I listen haha
I wish I had listened. I should really just stick to watching videos and pretending the comments sections don't exist
We used to get high together, instead of getting high alone.
I can't remember the last time I saw you.
I can't remember the last time we talked.
You left home for a fresh start,
Working as a waitress down in Bradenton.
With my name tattoo'd into your skin.
Because of the shame I associate with vulnerability
I am numbing myself completely.
Can you hear me right now?
I watched your mother bury you today, with tears in her eyes.
It wasn't her words that shook me, it was the resemblance you shared.
Don't it feel so detached and unreal? Don't it seem so far away?
Like the past never happened, or like nothings ever changed.
With your casket open in front of me,
Your eyes closed and your lips silent.
With my name tattoo'd into your skin.
Because of the shame I associate with vulnerability
I am numbing myself completely.
Can you hear me right now?
I watched your mother bury you today, with tears in her eyes.
It wasn't her words that shook me, it was the resemblance you shared.
I didn't listen to the preacher.
I couldn't look your husband in the eyes.
I'm not sure what I meant to you then,
So I'm not sure what I owe you now.
But if something I said hurt you
I swear it was not my intention.
With your name tattoo'd into my skin.
Because of the shame I associate with vulnerability
I am numbing myself completely.
Can you hear me right now?
I watched your mother bury you today, with tears in her eyes.
It wasn't her words that shook me, it was the resemblance you shared.
Laura is one of the finest damn songwriters of our time. 🌹🌹🌹🌹
why did this singer quit the band ? atleast the new girl sing pretty much the same
laura is beautiful and she's so brave for rocking the deep voice even today. idk if she was out in this video, but god her voice is so raw and beautiful here.
She publicly came out in 2012, but she might have been out to family members and the band at this time?
why does noone care about the music anymore. these comments are ridiculous. who cares what they look like?! It's punk.
this makes me disheartened as well as in sure it does Tom to see that all anyone is talking about is this part of his/her personal life that has nothing to do with the music. lets comment on how we've listened to against me since high school or how the music's changed over the years or something cliché like that. That's what you see on every other good bands songs. 1st comment i read coming here was 'she's beautiful... And something about goin straight.' have any of these bandwagoners heard disco before the breakdown or reinventing axle rose?????
+JJ Weaver my thoughts exactly
+JJ Weaver I got beef with the sex change only cause of the change in vocals due to hormone changes soul is still thee though for sure, just preferences in sound
+nubzar1 it's funny when he 1st said he was becoming a she I said damn now his vocal chords will change... that's gay. but I haven't noticed a difference except for in actual speech...?
+nubzar1 Hormones and Gender Reassignment Surgery don't affect trans women's voices. Change in voice comes with vocal lessons. It's also something that just changes over time for everyone.
So raw, this song is pure heart.
So, I was working the other night...this girl comes in and she's like, fucking gorgeous. And says "OH MY GOD THIS IS A GOOD SONG!" Because I had my ipod playing on a speaker and I had Against me playing and this song was on. We talked for a good few minutes and she was like "I didn't know anyone even knew of them in this town!" it was awesome.
dimnot2000 are you married now bc i think that’s an amazing story of how you met hah
so youre the douche playing music out of a speaker
i love her this is a+ go laura jane grace you beautiful woman
OMFG I didn't know "Against Me!" till now....
First listening and... LOVE it!
!!! You will never be disappointed...:)
And there's a bunch of material to listen to. Very high output band.
Good. Now never come back to the comments. For your own sake.
Kloule never ;) i learned the guitare part^^
Check out Tom Gabel...Harsh Realms!!
Love when Against Me goes acoustic!
I think of them like Nirvana in that respect, they really sound amazing unplugged.
Absolutely hits different when acoustic
So good!
vkgoeswild arranged a cover of this song on piano today. P.S. Love your work
Huberman! Love you dude, great work.
Even your taste in music is incredible
GORGEOUS VOICE AND GUITAR!! As a transman and singer songwriter, she is my HERO! Thank you for being so brave!!!
Why are you calling this man a she?
@@MountainIce007 What are you on about? He's not talking about any man, he's talking about Laura Jane Grace.
Shes a trans woman
@@MountainIce007 You're less than the dirt I piss on
I can't stop myself from singing the whoa-ho-o-ho-ho
I can't stop listining to this song. Simple, honest and from the heart. When all you have is a guitar and a voice and you can make time stop for 3 minutes, that's when you have done something brilliant.
I love you, Laura Jane. I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU.
"We used to get high together instead of getting high alone." That's really what it's all about in the end, our need for connection, our need to feel like someone is in this with us, to share the pipe...peace or otherwise...especially otherwise.
#AgainstMe
The saddest part of how true what you just said, it seems that since I stopped getting high, I've got noone left to sit with.
It hurts. But im not getting high anymore. Though im still sitting
God I love this song, one of my best friends took her life when I was 15. I watched her mother bury her with tears in her eyes, and Laura is so right, it wasn’t her words that shook me, it was the resemblance they shared.
Our lives are like the wind…
Or like sounds…
We come into being, resonate with each other.
Then fade away…
❤ hugs. I remember a friend.
I don't know who tf she's singing about, but this song makes me feel and cry for that person.
She's always been so beautiful and her personality makes her the ideal trans role model in my opinion.
God.... I'm in a sober living right now, just learned the song but wish so badly I could belt it out without getting yelled at hahaha! She's an amazing artist
running _dead stay strong. You're in my thoughts
I hope you're still doing well :)
the best fucking version
First I was a bit confused, but then I was like it's the punk spirit! If I don't support her what the FCK would become with the rest of humanity. If we punks (as usual) set the example again?
Fuck punk lives again in this band thank you
The acoustic version here is beyond beautiful in every possible way. I wish I had a copy.
incredible song. brought tears on. sorry for your loss, Jane. Pain creates the best songs unfortunetley.
This is talent at it's greatest. A one take video that sounds this good... Fucking amazing. Plus the heart-wrenching emotion that comes with this song? Absolutely fucking epic. The destroyed garage was an excellent touch. This video should have far more than the views that it does have.
Fantastic band. Laura Jane Grace is amazing and the best kind of "role model", an honest one. Punk is all about being honest and authentic and Against Me! embodies the concept.
wow her voice is ~so~ amazing, never heard this song acoustic before.
*His* voice - the vocal chords are part of the body, which "Laura's" case belongs to a man, which was totally fucked up by hormone treatments.
You’re an idiot. Laura has come out and stated that the hormones don’t effect her voice at all, and if you actually listen to recent albums her singing voice sounds exactly the same. Don’t be an ignorant jackass
Christina D and her singing voice is fcking aweome!
Yeah, you've got to do voice training or get VFS, which is costly and has a very long recovery time. Voice training is good for speaking, and works on pitch, resonance, and how you say certain sounds. However, with singing it's less applicable, just because of vocal range and all that. Although I would say some of her enunciation is a bit different.
@@fairguinevere666voice training can help with singing, if my friends are any example. i believe from what i've heard that laura just didn't want to alter it too much? she has a beautiful voice, like, insanely powerful, and if i were in her place i would love it too. she did change enunciation a bit, might just be getting older, or changing her style a bit, or personal preference. very striking! as a singer, she is a MASSIVE inspiration to me.
Laura is such an amazing singer, I really regret the time she played a show in my small city. I went hiking instead but really wish I saw her sing as she has become one of my favorite artists, someday I shall see you sing and play and that day will become the greatest day of my life.
Saw them live way back in 2006, and still the best show of my life.
Trees in Dallas, Tx. With Smoke or Fire and The Soviettes. Killer show. (and way too few people there.. but that's being a punk in Tx)
The line " it wasn't her words that shook me
But the resemblance you share"
Gets me every time
Every time that I listen to this song, I have tears running down my face before it's over. Rest easy Bree, wherever you are..
"Hey stop at this abandoned building up here. I need to get some shit off my chest." that's the conversation they had right before this video was shot.
iv only just found out about this fantastic band thanks to alternative press! Her voice just blows me away the lyrics just everything is fantastic! even the guitar is beautiful sounding! im in love!
This song feels like it was written for my only soulmate that I'll ever have the privilege to have. Rest in peace sweet Carlos
Never even heard Against Me! before this song. I read a lot about the story behind this song and about (formerly) Tom's life choices to continue life as a woman. Major respect for this person's talents and courage. I am definitely a fan.
We used to get high together
Instead of getting high alone
Can't remember the last time I saw you
Can't remember the last time we talked
You left home for a fresh start
Working as a waitress down in Bradenton
With my name tattooed into your skin
Because of the shame I associate with vulnerability
I am numbing myself completely
Can you hear me right now?
I watched your mother bury you today, with tears in her eyes
Oh it wasn't her words that shook me
But the resemblance you shared
Woah, woah
Don't it seem so detached and unreal?
Don't it seem so far away?
Like the past never happened
Or like nothing's ever changed
With your casket open in front of me
Your eyes closed and your lips silent
My name tattooed into your skin
Because of the shame I associate with vulnerability
I am numbing myself completely
Can you hear me right now?
I watched your mother bury you today, with tears in her eyes
Oh it wasn't her words that shook me
But the resemblance you shared
Woah, woah
Didn't listen to the preacher
Couldn't look your husband in the eye
Well, I'm not sure what I meant to you then
So I'm not sure what I owe you now
But if something I said hurt you
I swear it was not my intention
With your name tattooed into my skin
With your name tattooed into my skin
Because of the shame I associate with vulnerability
I am numbing myself completely
Can you hear me right now?
I watched your mother bury you today, with tears in her eyes
Oh it wasn't her words that shook me
But the resemblance you shared
Oh it wasn't her words that shook me
But the resemblance you shared
Woah, woah, woah, woah
Can you hear me right now?
Can you hear me right now?
Evelyn would be proud
I remembered today how much I love this band, and this woman
Laura is so ridiculously talented. Stunning whether she's electrified and screaming from a stage or solo with just her voice and an acoustic guitar.
I met him years ago in the beer garden. He's not a nice dude at all
@@PM-qp5he You're less than the dirt I piss on
@@PM-qp5he Your deliberate misgendering of her really makes you seem like a reliable source here.
@@warriormouse3005 im a dragon. And laura has xy chromosomes.
rest in power jeff , somewhere in time we're still smoking up at ur house after school w the gang
after reading her book this song makes me tear up
Close your eyes, and just listen to the beautiful music flowing into your ears. Who cares?
Wow! I just found this band. Love their lyrics and the strength of each member to make amazing music- no matter what anyone haters say. Keep it up.
she's so beautiful
Brianna Cavanaugh He*
lollego10 nah she's a woman!
MuddahNatur nooo lol
lollego10
how come you think so?
lollego10 She came out as trans a few years ago. So yes she is a girl...
When a guy with only his guitar and his voice makes sound a song as Epic as this one, then you ask yourself if there's anything can beat that?
Can't wait to see new videos and hear new material from Against Me! we need a new record!
Tom Gabel wrote this song about a friend of his named C.C. who was killed. He wrote this song for her.
The guitar line sounds a lot like "No Surrender" by Bruce Springsteen. This was also intentional, Tom said, because he and C.C. would hang out together and listen to him together. He said he made it that way so it would remind him of those nights he spent with her.
Cheers :)
I LOVE it. ..... just a guitar and an awesome voice and awesome lyrics in a run down shed and it still can gimme chills better than stuff coming straight out the studio
This song really hits home..
wow. shes always been a cutie. wow.
Gayyyyye
was...hes pretty fucking ugly now.
Bless you, Laura, and everyone else. We’re with you all and stand strong beside you no matter what~ You’re all loved and supported, fully and forever so be free and enjoy life because you have friends that have your back.
Lol Bradenton is a terrible place for a fresh start.. Awesome song and awesome artist.
is the band from the area? I mean im not used to Braden-tucky ever being mentioned in songs!
Every time I come back to this video and listen to this song, I can't help picking up my guitar and playing along. I don't know what it is about this song in particular but there is a rare contagious energy to it and it makes me feel connected.
Her voice is just ♥
Agreed.
His
Against me is Tom. Whatever ze wants, it is the voice.
@@joeshmo5247 *her
@@joeshmo5247 *her
I thought he was one of the dudeliest dudes ever, but she's more and more beautiful every time I see her as Laura Jane Grace :)
She used to wear her mask well...:p
She wore her mask well...:p
RockME AllDeus Who gives a shit? I mean, what right do we even have to speculate on or give two fucks about her underwear, when we should be enjoying the fact that she makes good music.
RockME AllDeus Keep hoping because that is the single most unlikely scenario I have ever seen.
RockME AllDeus And?
If I gave a fuck about keeping up with the latest trends, I'd be arguing on kik or some other site that isn't youtube.
Laura Jane's songwriting makes me feel so many emotions.
Well this song is even sadder now after reading her book :(
Tom or Laura, he/she can sing like a motherfucker, and write songs anyone can get into and understand
Because ive lost shame!! I am numbing myself completely
Listened to this song many times before she came out and would have never imagined that Tom Gable would turn into Laura Jane Grace. People can be so good at hiding things and no one would even suspect it.
Brandon Black The only giveaway was a verse in the ocean.
Talking Sink Have you heard the song "Pretty Girls"? She changed lyrics because she didn't want anyone knowing. She redid the song with the actual lyrics she had written back then.
I have to listen to this on a daily basis. ❤
A beautiful, talented individual... and the lead singer from a kickass band!
Tom was handsome AF, and Laura is pretty AF. Just a beautiful human, inside and out.
I know you meant well with this comment but please dont use Laura's deadname in any context
this was about the time she come out want it, its really amazing just like all her songs
It is not about that. It is about an old acquaintance of his that died. Her mother told him that she believed that the song "Thrash Unreal" was about her. That is why he said "If something I said hurt you, that was never my intention".
see this, this kinda irks me. Because she has had a sex change, every creative decision she had is related. Everyone in infinitely complicated, she should not be know as sex change musician.
Great performance. Love this song. What's with all the pointy shit hanging from the ceiling? It seems dangerous.
Epic. I always come back to this. I love old Tom Gable live footage
2:16 is a chord shape i will never be able to play like LJG and im mad about it tbh
Oh god, my heart! She sings with so much passion!
The acoustics in that building were amazing... ;P
#socialmediamontana approves this song!
Every lyric of every one of your tracks is amazing....can only imagine what it's like in that head of yours. I personally prefer your stripped down acoustic versions to the studio's but thats just me. Keep doing what you are doing Tom and you will always have a fan in me. Your music speaks on so many different levels and has been an inspiration to me. Thank you to you and the rest of the band for a great show in Chicago the other night. Come back anytime and see us again!!
laaaaaura ♥♥♥
Holy shit against me is like my favorite band just really started listening to them this year and their music has saved my life through so many hard depressing times but it wasn't until now that I found out the singer is trans and that makes me love their music even more
Why does gender matter? Good music is good music.
True dat, but pronouns are important bc gender dysphoria is one of the biggest bitches to ever bitch
+Ultra Nova not saying that your wronge, I'm jus saying. I'm not arguing.
My bf went missing... We'll never have a funeral. But if we did ....
I think I saw that one on crime watch daily
brasileiros de bom gosto ... comentem em baixo de onde vcs são !
santa catarina aqui.
rio de janeiro!
Recife
Rio Grande do Sul :D woow nao esperava algum br por aqui! haha legal!
Curitiba-PR mas nascida em Jundiaí-SP , essa é a música mais linda e triste do mundo ♡
Good song! A big Hello from Donetsk, Ukraine!
strong, talented, smart, beautiful...... she is
Laura Jane Grace
Tom is absolutely amazing.
all you fucking people commenting "she has such a great voice", "she is so beautiful" she this and she that, WE GET IT you want to be trendy and show everyone how accepting and rad you are because her transition doesn't bother you...WE GET IT. If she never transitioned , this many people wouldnt be commenting all these compliments and shit, you would just listen to the music.
amen!
I mean she really does have a great voice. But I get what you mean.
I like how you got offended over people complimenting someone lol.
who are you referring to? maryjane stewart
Cam Dude
Don’t be afraid, together we’re strong
I saw her perform acoustically this year at punk rock bowling for the first time. She blew me away and made the opening acoustic artists sound so small. She's amazing! ❤️
oh my god dog oh my god i am soorries little huntre was just reminding you that oh my god dog i am so sorry little huntre was just so much colder then you were
I'm so proud of you, Laura. Your music with AM! has gotten me through my mother's suicide, my brother's heroin addiction, and helped me get the strength to be happy and follow my dreams. I'm happy I got to meet you guys a few years ago! Rooting for you to find your true happiness
Courage, like a graceful swan floating across a peaceful lake, while frantically paddling beneath the surface.
This version is so much better than the studio version. You can really hear the emotion here in Laura's voice
Bad ass
Is correct to say "her" when talking about this video? If talking about Laura now, then obviously you would say "her". But in this video it's Tom, but that's not who she is anymore. What is correct, when speaking about the person in the video, not the person now?
Yes, it's correct to use "her" and call her Laura when talking about her pre-transition. You should never really refer to a trans person by their former name, as a general rule.
ArtificialDifficulty Thanks for that information.
Here's a question as well... since we're talking about a punk artist ...and since punks are notorious for fighting against placing labels, is it really appropriate nor necessary to place a label? Since the person in question is associating ones self as a woman, then it really comes down to a matter of respect and respecting how that person wants to presently be viewed. Since Laura currently associates herself as a female then I would say its perfectly acceptable to address past and present Laura as "her". However, since labels are bullshit anyhow... it is perfectly acceptable to address Laura however you want to despite how that person may view themselves. Self perspective is almost always different than how other people perceive you anyhow so it really makes no difference. Any which way you decide... Laura remains a brave and talented individual and that is enough for me either which way.
+aokpsycho if she put the label on herself then yeah use the label. Punk is a label. She's a punk. You're a punk. I'm a punk.
Taking t-blockers and estrogen doesn't change your voice. It's literally impossible for hormones to affect her voice. If you're going to be a rude prick, at least be less ignorant about it.
Also, a woman wrote and performed this song, so it is correct to refer to her as a woman. Having a deep voice isn't what makes this song beautiful. It's the lyrics and emotion, which comes from Laura's experiences. She doesn't need to singing in fucking falsetto to be genuine.
This is how I record my songs too-live & in one take! It doesn't get anymore raw than this-no need for studio tricks or autotune, just pure, raw, talent & feeling! Real music by someone who understands real struggle-Laura...you are awesome! Good for you, finding yourself, being true to yourself in the face of adversity, of others expectations & helping to educate those who don't understand! You give voice to those who so often are silenced by fear & discrimination! You go girl! RocknRoll!
What the hell matters whether is "she" or "he"?The music is good,and noone should care for anything from this racist shit
I'm very serious, gender is a role not a medical term, a woman can be a "father-figure" in many other places of the world. It's a social construct. Things can be gendered like colors, jobs, items, etc.. Maybe It wasn't clear what I meant. For ex. In some places if your sex is male you are not necessarily labeled a male until a certain age or after a certain rite. I meant gender doesn't always have to rely on sex.
You can really see how as he's playing he's hurt just by playing the song, it looks like he's stuck thinking about her while playing.
Man alive! Such a great group! The return of Rock and stories of life in the world. Love em all!