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ONE of Australia's most influential rock acts, You Am I, has split with major international record label BMG after its bosses refused to support an upcoming US tour.
Like fellow Australian band silverchair, they will now create their own independent record label.
There has been interest in the band in the UK and US thanks to the burgeoning careers of new rock acts The Vines and Jet, who credit You Am I as the reason they decided to become musicians.
The rock quartet were scheduled to undertake their first headlining US tour in November in support of their album, Deliverance, which has received glowing reviews there.
"BMG refusing to help fund the tour was the straw that broke the camel's back," said the band's spokesman Todd Wagstaff.
"This was a crucial tour for the band because, for the first time, it coincided with an album release - instead of a year or two after - and we had great venues lined up."
BMG managing director Ed St John described the parting as sad but amicable.
"It saddens me ... that our financial commitment to the band has proven to be unsustainable," he said.
You Am I perform at The Metro tonight and tomorrow.