Despite the softer, matured sound of their latest record, Taking Back Sunday still remain staple players in the punk scene.
Sporting their 'classic' line-up from the band's early years, the iconic pop-punk act's recent US tour, where they co-headlined with contemporaries The Used, had no problem selling out and packing venues with bodies. “The whole thing's been one huge highlight, it exceeded any expectations the band had,” says vocalist Adam Lazzara.
“It's basically just like a big party, that's probably the best way I could describe it.”
Lazzara has spoken highly of the experience of working alongside the 'Tell All Your Friends' era line-up and believes the matured bond between the members has contributed to not only the recording process, but also their stage presence. “It's made for a much tighter live show as far as how everyone's playing,” he claims.
“Everyone grew up playing together, so everyone plays as a unit very well. It feels very comfortable on stage. It really frees you up, to lose yourself.”
While the sold out shows prove the band still possess an incredible popularity, it was the vast range of age groups in the crowds that truly reinforced their legacy; from old-school fans to a new generation seeing Taking Back Sunday for the first time. “You'd see anyone from ages 13 to late-30s, all singing along and adding to the energy that was in the room,” says Lazzara.
“That's pretty spectacular, to be able to bring so many people at such different places in their lives together.”
The band's setlist, featuring a catalogue of songs going back over a decade, went hand-in-hand with their diverse fanbase in terms of showcasing just how much the band has evolved over the years. Lazzara admits it has become “increasingly harder” to come up with a setlist, given the huge selection of fan favourites. Although the band will always include staples like 'Cute Without The E' and 'MakeDamnSure', they also make an effort to give each of their records a place in the final setlist – including their latest studio album, 'Happiness Is'.
"There's definitely some softer songs on this record, but I would say overall that it's a pretty hard-hitting record,” says Lazzara. “You have songs like 'Better Homes And Gardens', which I think is a really great mix of this gentle side which crescendoes into heavy chaos. There's always been two or three ballad-type songs on each record. The reason being, we want it to sound similar to how a good book reads. You need to have those ups and downs.”
Lazzara chalks up the album's maturity and depth to the growth of the band's members as individuals, given the increase in life experience they've seen since they first formed in 1999.
Putting it bluntly, he states that they're “not 18 anymore”, leading them to pen songs about broader subjects such as spirituality, familial relationships, and dealing with adult responsibility.
Like Taking Back Sunday, The Used have lately gone in a new direction with their music, pursuing an edgy, political angle in the message they bring to fans. Seeing as how both bands first entered the punk scene with similar approaches, Lazzara appreciates what their transformations bring to their joint show: “It's interesting because there's a certain amount of familiarity with both bands which bridges the gap between how different we are also.”
The UsedWhen the co-headline tour travels south to Australia later this year, it won't mark the first time either band has played down under. However, one major difference from Taking Back Sunday's previous trip to Australia is, interestingly, the regained use of Lazzara's limbs. “Last time we were down there, my legs were broken, so I couldn't quite do what I normally do on stage,” he explains.
“I was either in a wheelchair or on crutches, so I was very stationary. I couldn't run around or dance around or interact in general, as much as I would like to. I'm just really excited to go down and really give everyone the proper Taking Back Sunday experience.”
Written by Simon Jun
Taking Back Sunday Tour Dates
Thu Aug 21 - HQ (Adelaide)Fri Aug 22 - Eatons Hill Hotel (Brisbane)
Sat Aug 23 - UNSW Roundhouse (Sydney)
Mon Aug 25 - 170 Russell (Melbourne)
