MUSIC
From Issue #24
Taking Back Sunday
By Austin Wong

Formed in 1999, Taking Back Sunday quickly snagged a record deal with indie label Victory Records, which released their debut album, Tell All Your Friends, in March 2002. Listeners took the album’s title to heart, and a rapidly growing fan base immediately began singing along at sold-out shows. Their second album, Where You Want To Be, built on their success, debuting at number three on the Billboard 200 album chart in 2004, and launching them into a major label record deal with Warner.

Their music is melodic hard rock with a distinctive dual-vocal, guitar-driven style. They cite influences such as Jimmy Eat World and The Who. Call them what you will, rock or punk, but just don’t call them “screamo”, a hard-edged variation of “emo”. Founding member Eddie Reyes says the term “emo” started as a put down bands would call their friends’ bands to say that they were “wimpy”. The term could not apply less to TBS.

Their brand new album, Louder Now, was released in April, and debuted at number two on Billboard, their highest chart position to date. Drummer Mark O’Connell says it’s the fans who have made their dreams come true. And, O’Connell adds, they love coming to play Canada. Well, we’ll take them back any day of the week.

The band: Taking Back Sunday, the breakout New York-based hard rock band.

Right now: Their new album, Louder Now, including the hit single “Makedamnsure”.

Coming up: A North American tour co-headlining with Angels and Airwaves.

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