History
Taking Back Sunday: A History of Emo Rock Evolution
Taking Back Sunday, an influential American rock band hailing from Long Island, New York, has carved a significant niche in the emo and alternative rock landscape since their formation in 1999. The band's enduring appeal lies in their dynamic songwriting, passionate vocal delivery, and a history marked by both lineup shifts and consistent creative output.
Formation and Early Years (1999-2001)
The band's origins trace back to guitarist Eddie Reyes, a veteran of bands like The Movielife and Inside. In November 1999, Reyes, alongside guitarist Jesse Lacey (formerly of The Rookie Lot), established Taking Back Sunday in Amityville, New York. Early iterations saw Lacey transition to bass, with John Nolan joining on guitar and keyboards. Vocalist Antonio Longo and drummer Steven DeJoseph completed the initial lineup. Following Lacey's departure, Nolan contacted Adam Lazzara, then living in North Carolina, to fill the bassist role, a move that would profoundly shape the band's future vocal sound. After DeJoseph left, Mark O'Connell, a friend of Reyes, joined on drums. Longo departed after the recording of the band's self-titled EP. In December 2000, Lazzara shifted from bass to lead vocals, embracing a role he initially never envisioned. Shaun Cooper of Breaking Pangaea was recruited as the new bassist. The band released a five-track demo in February 2001 and embarked on a year of touring.
Breakthrough and Shifting Lineups (2002-2006)
The release of their debut album, Tell All Your Friends, in March 2002, marked a pivotal moment. The album, preceded by the music video for "Great Romances of the 20th Century," garnered significant attention. However, shortly after the album's release, John Nolan and Shaun Cooper departed, citing the pressures of constant touring. They went on to form Straylight Run. Taking Back Sunday then recruited Fred Mascherino on guitar and vocals, and Matt Rubano on bass. Their second album, Where You Want To Be, released in July 2004, achieved commercial success, debuting at number three on the Billboard 200. The album's lead single, "A Decade Under the Influence," propelled its popularity. The band also experienced increased mainstream exposure through appearances on television shows and contributions to soundtracks like Spider-Man 2.
In June 2005, Taking Back Sunday signed with major label Warner Bros. Records. Their third album, Louder Now, was released in April 2006. This release reflected a more polished sound and a conscious effort to capture the energy of their live performances. The album's release was supported by further television appearances and the documentary Louder Now: Part One.
Continued Evolution and Reunions (2007-Present)
The band continued to tour extensively, participating in events like Live Earth and Linkin Park's Projekt Revolution tour. In October 2007, guitarist Fred Mascherino departed to focus on his solo project, The Color Fred, and was replaced by Matthew Fazzi. The band's fourth studio album, New Again, was released in 2009, preceded by several single releases and a series of "New Music Monday" tracks shared online. A live album, Live from Bamboozle '09, was also released that year.
A significant shift occurred in March 2010 when Matt Rubano and Matthew Fazzi departed. This paved the way for the highly anticipated reunion of the Tell All Your Friends era lineup, with John Nolan and Shaun Cooper returning to the fold. The reunited band began working on their fifth studio album with producer Eric Valentine. The album, featuring the singles "Faith (When I Let You Down)" and "This Is All Now," was released in 2011. Subsequent albums include Happiness Is (2014) and Tidal Wave (2016).
In April 2018, founding guitarist Eddie Reyes announced his departure from the band, citing his ongoing battle with alcoholism. Later that year, to commemorate their 20th anniversary, Taking Back Sunday released the compilation album Twenty in January 2019, featuring two new songs. The band continued to release new material, including their eighth album, 152, in October 2023, marking their first full-length release in seven years.
Discography
