This article has been imported from chorus.fm for discussion. All of the forum rules still apply. Say Anything is (sorta) coming to an end. A lengthy message from Max Bemis (over ten pages), can be read here. Our plans as a collective are to, kind of sort of, end Say Anything. Or “the first era of Say Anything”. Whatever you want to call it, it’s that thing. I don’t buy that shit when other bands do it, but whatever the fuck works as terminology. I need a break. We’ll return one day to play festivals and scoff at our career. But I want to say goodbye. There will be no full U.S tour to support the record or in the near future. I am done being a touring musician as my main profession. Say Anything is retiring in the sense that Jay-Z did. It’s not an indefinite hiatus or a breakup because that’s impossible. But we’ll get to that. A message from his wife, Sherri DuPree-Bemis, can be read here If what Max wrote doesn’t make it clear, he’s recovering from a PTSD “breakdown” and this is not really bipolar-related stuff. It’s a guy who followed his passion to the point of almost breaking who stopped and saved his own life for us and those who care. Which has left him joyful but needing rest and relaxation and positivity. The band will be releasing their new album, Oliver Appropriate, on October 12th. The first single, “Daze” is up on Spotify and Apple Music. Expand - View Original
I don’t either. This one is really hard to digest for me but I have nothing but massive respect for them and Max.
Haven't liked anything this band has put out since In Defense.. This song is good though. Has me intrigued for the album.
I'm one of the few that actually loves the last few albums. Sad to see it come to an end but fully support his decision.
Had a feeling this was coming for awhile now. He is such a great writer, and the current run of Moon Knight he is writing, might be the best interpretation of the character EVER...
I hated everything after self titled but this good. I guess they aren’t touring with Senses fail like some predicted
Okay, so nobody here read the ten page summation yet? It's a very interesting read. As for my take, I am happy that he's making the decisions he wants for himself and being honest for himself. Wish him, Sherri, and his family the best. Intrigued to hear this new album, though nothing has really stuck with me in any capacity since the self-titled record.
Yea I read it, he’s really open and honest in the whole manifest. Wasn’t really surprised about the bisexual or attraction to guys thing. You can tell he’s been battling for a long time with some of this stuff, good to get it off his chest.
Love the new single. Saw them live for the first time at Slam Dunk this year and they were really good. Will always check out anything these guys are involved in. Respect for Max for the 10 page statement too.
I was late for work because I got distracted reading his statement, which I only got halfway through lol
Really sad he won’t be touring anymore. But I’ll look back fondly on the fact that I saw them 3 times in the past 4 years, and how amazing they were last year with Bayside
I’m really happy for him. I’m glad that he’s prioritizing his health, his family, and his happiness over Say Anything and touring. The idea of closing a chapter and making what is possibly the last album from Say Anything into the narrative continuation/conclusion of ...Is A Real Boy is a really interesting idea after all of these years (though maybe not too surprising considering many would consider that album to be his most defining work). I, like many, fell in love with his artistry during that era of his career. Though I haven’t felt that same passion for Say Anything in some time, I think it’s cool that he has chosen a very self-aware way to both find personal closure and provide it to his fans (not that it is owed to any of us). All of that said: “He seeks out Karl, who he assumes will just love him back. Karl rejects him and tells him he’s actually sort of into another guy. In a fit of rage, Oliver kills Karl, absconds to San Francisco and drowns himself, tied to his lover’s corpse and a gigantic stone. The album ends with Oliver’s ascension after death and his acceptance of what he’s done to himself, Karl, and the world. I would like to think he is reborn and goes somewhere better...” Wat.
I fortunately got to see the guys many times during the first album cycle. Headlining, bamboozle 2006, Opening up for Dashboard Confessional, and acoustic opening for TSL's holiday show in 2006. That was such a special time in my life and this scene. Despite all the great music out then, I think SA really stood out among their peers. I really hope this album is great and pulls me back to being a fan. IDOTG and SA were good but nowhere as good as a real boy.