Contrary to popular belief, I Am Ghost really wear black eyeliner in case they’re invited into a spontaneous football game

The axiom of not defecating in your own backyard has been a favourite of bands for years. Witness how in their book The Dirt, Mötley Crüe dedicated chapters to the trials and tribulations of marrying groupies and the ensuing years of financial, legal and personal woes that come of, well, dropping a steamer on your personal bed of roses.
    Still, many bands continue to do so, with the greatest offense being to actually marry one of your own members. While this has produced wondrous results (Sonic Youth and The Arcade Fire continue to work well despite having matrimonially tied-members), it can spell disaster.
    It’s no wonder then, that in regards to Long Beach, California’s I Am Ghost, when two bandmates tied the knot, it eventually led to an irreversible internal shift. Violinist Kerith Telestai and bassist Brian Telestai have left the band mere months after the release of the band’s acclaimed goth-punk/self-described rock opera debut Lover’s Requiem (Epitaph). Yet the remaining members of I Am Ghost have weathered this departure quite well, even on the heels of their most lofty tour to date.
    “There are no hard feelings at all,” says drummer Ryan Seaman, proving the point by calling from Kerith’s parents’ house, of all places. “We’re still best friends and call each other all the time. It’s just that they couldn’t live the lifestyle. Touring isn’t for everyone. They had to make the decision for themselves because Kerith was getting sick on the road a lot. Brian was loyal to his wife and chose to stick with her for her well-being. I’m just glad that they found out now instead of when things are going stronger and stronger for the band. We’ll be fine because we’ve already found a replacement for Brian even though he’ll finish out the tour with us.”
    Always the optimist, Seaman takes the double departure in stride, shrugging out another adage about things happening for a reason and noting that the timing — while seemingly off — is perfect. It gives the band an opportunity to start completely anew when writing for their sophomore album, which they plan to attack as the tour winds down.
    Still, he and his mates (singer Steven Juliano and guitarists Gabriel Iraheta and Timoteo Rosales) are somewhat daunted, reeling from the “hasty” release of Lover’s Requiem. He projects that the next album will be even heavier and darker than their already sinister style.
    “I would think that every album we do will be dramatically different and we’ll do new things. We’ll be writing at the end of the year for a new record, and I’m excited to see what happens. I hope it’s heavier and darker, but it’s unpredictable right now. People tend to forget that we’re still trying to find out who we are. The band is in its early stages, having only been together for a couple of years.”
    Seaman’s statement alludes to the constant scrutiny placed on I Am Ghost due to their signing to Epitaph a mere six months after solidifying their premier lineup. The band was snatched up by the label just as their debut EP, We are Always Searching, was released, then thrust into the studio for Lover’s Requiem — and thus into the public eye. As a result, they’ve been plagued with naysayer slams — the usual punk complaints about being prefabricated and not putting in their time.
    “That’s all ridiculous, and we try to ignore it and focus on our music because we haven’t even found our voice yet,” admits Seaman. “Yes, we were barely together when this opportunity arose, but we have been in bands before. We consider ourselves lucky, and we keep on it. I know that people shoot us down for signing on with a label so quickly, and there are some who turn up their noses at us because we haven’t ‘paid our dues,’ but if the roles were reversed, what would they do? Say no? I doubt it.”