6/6/2002

It is a very sad day for any band and it is never easy when they have to do this sort of thing, but unfortunately it has to be said that the rock 'n' roll party machine that is often referred to as MY AMERICA is parting ways with founding member and longtime vocalist David Rushman.

"I am totally not stoked to be writing this, but I will no longer be a part of My America. The decision was made after I had a lot of down time to think about it. Basically what it boils down to is that I am not financially stable enough to live the self sufficient 'adult' lifestyle and still be able to tour as much as the rest of the band wishes to. Thanks to a $30,000 tab compliments of five years at the University of Delaware, as well as rent, car insurance, car payments, and a maxed out credit card, I am in a pretty immense amount of debt. I don't expect to be getting out of it anytime soon, but as it was, touring was pushing me deeper and deeper into the hole. This all really reached a head while we were doing our more recent US tour with Romans this past summer. I realized how fucked I was going to be when I got home... and guess what... I was. Over the course of the tour, there were talks about my financial situation between the rest of the band and myself, and I ultimately told them that I would NEVER knowingly hold them back because of it. After we went to Boston and back a few weeks ago and talks of a tour in November arose, I knew I couldn't do it. I also knew that if I tried to work it out and ended up backing out, like I probably would have, I would be doing exactly what I said I would never do: holding the band back. Having to turn down a show every once in a while because of work, or because I couldn't afford it is no big deal, but continually having to turn down tours because one of four members can't afford it isn't fair, and I knew the time had come for me to let go. The hardest part about it is that I in no way WANT to do this... I desperately want to be in this band. For the last seven years of my life I have been playing music with these guys, and I honestly don't know what I am going to do without it. I have had some of the best times of my life driving around with these assholes... going to parties across the country, smoking weed in Wal-Mart parking lots, jerking-off in friends' showers, things that I would never have had the chance to experience if it weren't for this band. I have seen about 40 of the 48 continental United States because of the multiple east coast and couple of full U.S. tours that we went on, something that also definitely would not have happened without this band. The other guys in My America are my family, and no matter what, this will always be my band. I have no intention of starting or joining another band. I just know that not only would I not be able to dedicate myself to another band, but it would never be the same. I was a part of the countless demos, our 8-song EP, our seven inch, and the latest full length record that was put out by Pluto Records, I label I have respected for years. I made my mark on this whole "music" thing, and I am happy that I did it with Matt, Andy, and Brian. They in no way made me feel pressured to do this... it was completely my decision and they didn't make me feel bad about that either. I wish them the best of luck, and hope that I can catch them when they are opening for As I Lay Dying next fall... hopefully they will guest list me, but they always have been pretty stingy about that shit.

I also want to say thank you to all the sweet ass people I have met in other bands, at shows, or just hanging out. You are all awesome, and you gave me a little bit more faith in the human race. I hope that somehow I had a small effect on your life... whether it was on a personal level, or just because you liked my lyrics or beautiful voice. Bye Bye for now."

-David

We wish David the best with whatever the future holds for him, along with Ben Roethlisberger who probably needs it more. Fortunately, along with the bad news, there is also a wealth of good news to report at the time. With the change in lineup the rest of us are ready to move into this new phase as a band and accept the challenge and eventual adjustments that will come with it. With that we have just confirmed a two-week stint coming up very soon with A Girl A Gun A Ghost from Savannah, GA. We are coming to Florida and a lot of other places in the south for the first time and looking forward to meeting some new friends.

w/ A Girl A Gun A Ghost (Siege of Amida Records)

Oct 3rd  Savannah, GA @ The Jinx w/ Kylesa
Oct 4th  Orlando, FL @ Island Oasis
Oct 5th  Tampla, FL @ Transitions Art Gallery
Oct 6th  Jacksonville, FL @ Fuel Coffeehouse
Oct 7th  Pensacola, FL @ The Red Door
Oct 8th  Alabaster, AL @ Shenaniganz
Oct 9th  Macon, GA @ Macon Venue Project
Oct 10th Valdosta, GA @ Vitos Rock 'N' Roll Pizza
Oct 11th Buchanan, GA @ The Hangar
Oct 12th Clarksville, TN @ The Coup
Oct 13th Knoxville, TN @ TBA      
Oct 14th Virginia Beach, VA @ Club Relevant
Oct 15th Danville, VA @ Plan B
Oct 16th Raleigh, NC @ The Brewery
Oct 17th Wilmington, NC @ Lucky's Pub
Oct 18th Charleston, SC @ The Oasis

Some other dates are popping up in the meantime and some are still in the process of being confirmed. So check back for some more details on some weekend dates later in October/November with Century, Lady Radiator and our labelmates The Dead See.