SPIN

Against Me! are rocking venues across America this winter in support of their latest album, White Crosses. But what, exactly, does the band do when they're not onstage?

Punk scene photographer Ryan Russell has the answer. A dear friend of the band, Russell tagged along on the first five dates of the tour, which kicked off January 15 in the band's hometown of Gainesville, FL. He's been capturing candid behind-the-scenes photos of one of punk's hottest bands, including shots of frontman Tom Gabel and Co. -- including new drummer Jay Weinberg -- goofing off backstage or getting pre-show massages.

Here, browse 15 shots of Against Me! along with commentary from Gabel!

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"This is me at soundcheck," says Gabel. "The show that night in North Carolina was a great one. So far on this tour the crowds have been fantastic fun."

"This is our bassist Andrew [Seward], waving his hands in the air like he just don't care," Gabel jokes. "Or maybe he's doing the YMCA dance?"

"I threw my back out in Gainesville, the first show on the tour," explains Gabel. "I had strained it over Christmas -- I think I just picked up my one-year-old daughter wrong -- but it had gotten better. Coming off stage I knew I had done something bad to it again.

"When I woke up the next morning to go to Atlanta I tried getting out of bed and immediately collapsed onto the floor in pain. I couldn't walk. I had to be carried into the van and then carried into the venue once we got to Atlanta. We had a massage therapist and a chiropractor come down to the Masquerade in Atlanta and each work on me for an hour before the show."

"I've claimed the back bench seat as mine to lay out," says Gabel. "Andrew's reading something."

"Andrew at the hotel in Atlanta."

"Andrew on the phone at a travel center somewhere on the road."

Drummer Jay Weinberg, guitarist James Bowman, bassist Andrew Seward, and Top Chef winner/Woodfire Grill chef Kevin Gillespie from and his sous chef E.J. Hodgkinson. "Everyone in the band is a big fan of Kevin," says Gabel.

"Me and Jay backstage in North Carolina. I'm probably feeling pretty loopy on the pain pills here," says Gabel.

"Empty club except for staff and bands, hours before doors."

"Jay warming up on his practice pad before the show."

"Soundcheck in North Carolina at the Cat's Cradle."

"Pre-encore backstage, the band and our manager, Jordan."

"Jay dunking his hands in a bucket of ice post show. He has some serious blisters," says Gabel.

"Coming off stage. Great crowd. Great show."