The Academy Is...

The Academy Is... is an Emo band based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. They were originally known as "The Academy", but added the "Is..." in 2004, to avoid legal complications with other est

The Academy Is... is an Emo band based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. They were originally known as "The Academy", but added the "Is..." in 2004, to avoid legal complications with other established bands already going under that name. They are currently signed to Fueled by Ramen.

Frontman William Beckett and guitarist Mike Carden grew up in rivaling bands in the local Chicago music scene. Beckett eventually ended his short-lived solo project Remember Maine, wanting to take music more seriously and looking for someone who shared his passion. When Carden's band broke up, the two gradually found themselves talking more and more, engulfed in deep conversations about music. After realizing they were very much alike, they decided to try their hand at writing songs together and The Academy was born.