The Academy Is . . . formed in 2002 when vocalist William Beckett and guitarist Mike Carden emerged from their previous rival bands in Chicago.
The current lineup includes Beckett, Carden, bassist Adam Siska, guitarist Tom Conrad and drummer Andy "The Butcher" Bishop Mrotek. However, when The Academy Is . . . makes a stop in Salt Lake City tonight, Nick Scimeca will be playing drums.
"The Butcher contracted mono a few weeks ago," Beckett said by phone from somewhere in Texas. "We took him to the doctors, and the doc said there was no way he was going to be able to continue in his present condition. If he had, there was a chance that the sickness could prove to be fatal."
So the band flew Mrotek home and asked some friends to fill in on the drums. "Nick, who is our friend from Chicago, is our third drummer for this tour," said Beckett. "The Butcher is gearing to come back soon, but we told him not to force too much. We don't want him sick again."
This little incident really isn't an issue with The Academy Is . . . right now. Beckett said things could be a lot worse, and the band is just enjoying its time on the road. "Situations like this make us stronger mentally. We've been on the road, and we've been getting stronger musically. So this gives us some sort of balance."
Tonight will mark the first time the band will stop in Salt Lake City. "We hope there are people who come to the show," said Beckett, who recently delved into Simon & Garfunkel, the Beatles and Weezer while recording the new album "Almost Here." "We like playing new places."
While the new album is just gearing up to be released, Beckett said he and Carden had a lot of fun writing the songs. "We rented an apartment together just for the sake of writing songs. We wanted to make sure all the songs were ready to record because we only had 2 1/2 weeks available for us to record them."
With such a short deadline, Beckett said he and Carden felt the pressures every day. "However, the album thrived on that pressure. We really felt like we accomplished something. We are very happy with the album."
Listening to Simon & Garfunkel and others while making the album was something that just came about, said Beckett. "We focused on good songwriters, and they inspired us. As our songs began to take shape, we knew we would be making a diverse album. It goes in many different directions. It gives people a hint of what we are about as people."
"Regardless of what happens to us on the road, we have something to be happy about. When bad things happen, we embrace them, knowing that the good will be all that much better. That's how it has been with the band, and that's how it will be."
If you go
What: Something Corporate, The Academy Is . . . , Straylight Run
Where: In the Venue, 219 S. 600 West
When: Tonight, 7 p.m.
How much: $15
Phone: 467-8499 or 800-888-8499
Web: www.smithstix.com
E-mail: scott@desnews.com