Taking Back Sunday

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.

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.