Taking Back Sunday is an American rock band whose trajectory from the Long Island underground to international acclaim has left an indelible mark on the landscape of alternative music. For over two decades, their fusion of raw emotional honesty, intricate guitar work, and anthemic choruses has defined and redefined the genres of emo and post-hardcore. Their journey, marked by shifting lineups, sonic evolution, and a dedicated fanbase, solidifies their status as one of the most influential bands of their generation. This chronological analysis explores the band’s formation, breakthrough success, musical evolution, and lasting cultural impact, tracing their path from local heroes to enduring icons whose music continues to resonate at events like the Pittsburgh Emo Night.
Formation and Early Era
The genesis of Taking Back Sunday is rooted in the fertile and competitive Long Island, New York music scene of the late 1990s. It was a time and place where hardcore, punk, and burgeoning emo sensibilities coalesced, creating a unique environment for musical innovation. The band’s early years were characterized by a revolving door of members and a relentless drive to forge a unique sound, culminating in a debut album that would become a cornerstone of the third-wave emo movement.
Origins and Formation
Taking Back Sunday was officially formed in Amityville, New York, in 1999 by guitarist Eddie Reyes. Reyes, a veteran of the Long Island scene with stints in bands like The Movielife and Inside, envisioned a group that could channel the aggressive energy of hardcore while incorporating more melodic and emotionally resonant elements. The initial lineup was fluid, a common trait for bands in the scene. It notably included guitarist Jesse Lacey and guitarist/vocalist John Nolan. After Lacey’s departure to form the equally influential band Brand New—a split that would become the stuff of emo legend, fueling lyrical feuds across albums—the core of what would become the classic Taking Back Sunday began to solidify.
In 2001, the lineup underwent its most critical transformation. Adam Lazzara, originally recruited on bass, transitioned to lead vocals, bringing a charismatic stage presence and a distinctive vocal style that would become central to the band’s identity. Mark O’Connell, a friend of Reyes, took over on drums, providing a powerful and dynamic rhythmic foundation. The final piece fell into place when Shaun Cooper joined on bass, completing the quintet that would go on to record their seminal debut. This lineup—Lazzara, Nolan, Reyes, O’Connell, and Cooper—possessed a unique chemistry, particularly in the vocal interplay between Lazzara and Nolan, which created a compelling call-and-response dynamic that would define their early sound.
Early Discography
After honing their sound and lineup through demos and local shows, Taking Back Sunday signed with the independent label Victory Records. In March 2002, they released their debut full-length album, Tell All Your Friends. The album was a watershed moment for the emo genre. It perfectly captured the angst, vulnerability, and turmoil of adolescent relationships, set to a backdrop of driving, intricate alternative rock. The dual-vocal attack of Lazzara and Nolan on tracks like “Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut from the Team)” and “You’re So Last Summer” created a sense of dialogue and conflict that was both intensely personal and universally relatable.
Tell All Your Friends was not an immediate mainstream smash, but its impact was profound and grew steadily through word-of-mouth and relentless touring. The album’s lyrics, filled with quotable one-liners and raw confessions, became anthems for a generation of fans. Songs like “Timberwolves at New Jersey” and “Great Romances of the 20th Century” showcased the band’s ability to blend pop-punk accessibility with the more complex structures and emotional weight of post-hardcore. The album eventually achieved multi-platinum status, cementing its place as a landmark record and a foundational text for the emo scene of the 2000s. Its enduring appeal is a primary reason why Taking Back Sunday remains a staple at emo-themed events across the country.
The Mainstream Breakthrough
Following the foundational success of their debut, Taking Back Sunday faced a critical juncture. The departure of key members could have derailed their momentum, but instead, the band navigated the challenge, recruited new talent, and produced two albums that catapulted them from underground heroes to mainstream rock contenders. This period saw the band achieve significant commercial success while refining their sound for a broader audience.
Pivotal Album(s) and Lineup Changes
In 2003, just as the band’s star was rising, a major lineup shift occurred. Co-vocalist/guitarist John Nolan and bassist Shaun Cooper departed to form their own band, Straylight Run. Their absence left a significant creative and sonic void. To fill these roles, Taking Back Sunday recruited guitarist/vocalist Fred Mascherino and bassist Matt Rubano. This new lineup brought a different dynamic to the band. Mascherino’s technical guitar work and smoother vocal harmonies contrasted with Nolan’s raw style, pushing the band’s sound in a more polished and rock-oriented direction.
The first album from this new lineup was 2004’s Where You Want to Be. Released on Victory Records, the album was an immediate commercial success, debuting at number three on the Billboard 200 chart. Singles like “A Decade Under the Influence” and “This Photograph Is Proof (I Know You Know)” showcased a more refined and accessible version of the band’s sound. While the signature emotional intensity remained, the production was cleaner and the song structures were more aligned with mainstream alternative rock. The vocal interplay continued, now between Lazzara and Mascherino, and it proved to be a successful formula that retained existing fans while attracting new ones.
Achieving Critical and Commercial Success
The success of Where You Want to Be led to a major label deal with Warner Bros. Records. The band’s third album and major-label debut, Louder Now, was released in 2006. This record marked their definitive mainstream breakthrough. Debuting at number two on the Billboard 200, Louder Now was a muscular, arena-ready rock album. The lead single, “MakeDamnSure,” became their biggest hit, a powerful anthem of desperation and desire that received extensive radio and MTV airplay. The track’s aggressive guitar riffs and Lazzara’s soaring, desperate vocals defined the album’s heavier and more polished sound.
Produced by Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Third Eye Blind), Louder Now was darker and more aggressive than its predecessors. Songs like “What’s It Feel Like to Be a Ghost?” and “Liar (It Takes One to Know One)” were built on powerful riffs and stadium-sized hooks. The album was certified Gold and solidified Taking Back Sunday as one of the leading bands in the emo and alternative rock scenes. They had successfully navigated a critical lineup change and emerged with a sound that was both commercially potent and critically respected, proving their ability to evolve and thrive.
Musical Evolution and Key Events
Having reached the peak of their commercial success, Taking Back Sunday entered a period of further evolution and introspection. The following years were marked by more lineup instability, sonic experimentation, and a landmark reunion that brought the band full circle, delighting longtime fans and re-energizing their creative core.
Mid-career Albums and Sonic Shifts
In 2007, guitarist Fred Mascherino left the band to pursue a solo project, leading to another lineup change. He was replaced by Matthew Fazzi, whose contributions were first heard on the 2009 album New Again. This album represented a significant sonic departure for the band. It moved away from the polished, heavy rock of Louder Now and explored a more eclectic range of styles, incorporating elements of classic rock and power pop. While it debuted in the top ten of the Billboard 200, New Again received a mixed reception from fans and critics, some of whom were unsettled by the stylistic shifts and the absence of the now-familiar Lazzara-Mascherino vocal dynamic. The album remains a unique and somewhat divisive entry in their discography, showcasing a band in transition and unafraid to experiment.
Hiatus, Reunions, or Significant Member Departures
The most significant event of this era occurred in 2010. In a move that thrilled the band’s foundational fanbase, it was announced that the classic Tell All Your Friends lineup was reuniting. John Nolan and Shaun Cooper returned to the fold, while Matt Rubano and Matthew Fazzi departed. The reunion was not just a nostalgia trip; it was a full-fledged creative rebirth. The reunited quintet entered the studio with producer Eric Valentine and recorded their fifth album, the self-titled Taking Back Sunday, released in 2011.
The album was hailed as a return to form, successfully blending the raw, dual-vocal energy of their early work with the maturity and musicianship they had gained over the years. It was a powerful statement that the chemistry of the original lineup was intact. This reunion solidified the band’s core and set the stage for a new decade of creative output. The renewed stability and energy were palpable, and it resonated with audiences who had followed their tumultuous journey. This reunion is a key reason why the band holds such a special place in the hearts of attendees at events like Emo Night Pittsburgh, which celebrate the music and stories of this pivotal era.
Modern Era
Entering their third decade, Taking Back Sunday has continued to evolve, releasing new music that reflects their maturity as songwriters and musicians. They have embraced their legacy while refusing to be defined solely by their past, remaining a vital and active force in the alternative music scene and a celebrated act for both new and longtime followers.
Recent Albums and Contemporary Activity
Following the successful reunion, the band released Happiness Is in 2014 and Tidal Wave in 2016. Happiness Is continued their trajectory of melodic and emotionally resonant rock, while Tidal Wave saw the band taking another bold stylistic leap, incorporating influences from heartland rock and punk, with some critics comparing its sound to artists like The Gaslight Anthem and The Clash. In 2018, founding guitarist Eddie Reyes departed the band, making them a four-piece.
In 2019, the band celebrated its 20th anniversary with a massive tour and a career-spanning compilation titled Twenty. This retrospective reaffirmed their extensive and influential catalog. After a period of relative quiet, the band returned in 2023 with their eighth studio album, 152. The album, produced with Tushar Apte, showcased a more pop-influenced and atmospheric sound, demonstrating their continued desire to explore new sonic territory. While it marked another evolution, the album retained the core emotional honesty that has always defined Taking Back Sunday. The band continues to tour extensively, their live shows a testament to their enduring energy and connection with their audience.
Cultural Impact and Connection to the Scene
The legacy of Taking Back Sunday extends far beyond their album sales and chart positions. They were architects of a musical and cultural movement, and their influence continues to be felt in the work of new artists and in the nostalgic celebrations of the scene they helped build.
Influence on Their Primary Genres
Taking Back Sunday was at the forefront of the third-wave emo explosion of the early 2000s. Along with bands like My Chemical Romance, The Used, and Dashboard Confessional, they defined the sound and aesthetic of the era. Their innovative use of dual, dueling vocals became a widely imitated trope in the post-hardcore and emo genres. Their lyrical style—confessional, poetic, and often confrontational—set a new standard for emotional expression in rock music. They successfully bridged the gap between the raw aggression of hardcore, the melodicism of pop-punk, and the introspective nature of indie rock, creating a hybrid sound that influenced countless bands that followed.
Relevance in Nostalgia Events like Emo Night Pittsburgh
In recent years, there has been a massive resurgence of interest in the emo and pop-punk music of the 2000s. This nostalgia has given rise to hugely popular events dedicated to celebrating the era’s music, such as the Pittsburgh Emo Night. At these events, the music of Taking Back Sunday is not just featured; it is foundational. Songs like “Cute Without the ‘E'” and “MakeDamnSure” are anthems that are guaranteed to inspire passionate, full-throated singalongs from the crowd.
For many attendees of a Pittsburgh Emo Night, Taking Back Sunday represents more than just a band; they represent a specific time in their lives, a soundtrack to their youth. The band’s enduring relevance in these settings is a testament to the timelessness of their songwriting and the deep emotional connection they forged with their listeners. They are not merely a legacy act but a living, breathing part of a culture that continues to thrive, connecting a new generation of fans with one of the most exciting periods in modern rock history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taking Back Sunday
What genre is Taking Back Sunday?
Taking Back Sunday is most commonly classified as emo and post-hardcore. Their music also incorporates significant elements of alternative rock and pop-punk, particularly in their mid-career and later albums.
Who are the current members of Taking Back Sunday?
As of their most recent album, 152, the current members of Taking Back Sunday are Adam Lazzara (lead vocals), John Nolan (lead guitar, keyboards, vocals), and Shaun Cooper (bass guitar). Drummer Mark O’Connell, a longtime member, departed the band prior to their 2024 touring schedule.
What is Taking Back Sunday’s most famous song?
While “Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut from the Team)” is arguably their most iconic and genre-defining song from their early years, their most commercially successful single is “MakeDamnSure” from the 2006 album Louder Now. Both are considered signature songs.
What is the story behind the feud with the band Brand New?
The feud originated from personal issues between Taking Back Sunday’s John Nolan and Brand New’s Jesse Lacey, who was an early member of TBS. The conflict, reportedly over a girl, inspired lyrical call-and-responses between the two bands, most notably in Taking Back Sunday’s “There’s No ‘I’ in Team” and Brand New’s “Seventy Times 7.”
Has Taking Back Sunday ever broken up?
No, Taking Back Sunday has never officially broken up. However, the band has gone through numerous significant lineup changes throughout its history, including the departure and eventual return of the classic Tell All Your Friends-era members John Nolan and Shaun Cooper.
