Against Me!’s lead singer is now true to herself
Laura Jane Grace could easily be seen as the perfect rock star of her progressive generation.
Grace was born Thomas James Gabel. Her band, Against Me!, made a name for themselves with 2002’s hit pop-punk single “Baby, I’m An Anarchist.” Their 2007 album, New Wave, was named album of the year by Spin magazine, and their next album, White Crosses, reached number 34 on the Billboard charts. Even with the band’s success, Grace knew something wasn’t right—and that something was her gender.
As a male, Grace struggled with gender dysphoria her whole life and in 2012, with little worry about how the decision would affect record sales, she announced her plans to start living life as a woman. The band’s latest release, “Transgender Dysphoria Blues,” is a concept album about her transition from man to woman. Released earlier this year, the album has received positive reviews from nearly every major music publication.
Against Me! brings their energetic punk-rock to Track 29 on Tuesday, July 22. Most bands would fall apart during such a difficult time of transition, but Against Me! have survived and they are now creating some of the best music of their career.
Don’t miss this show.
— Christopher Armstrong