How’s the tour circuit for you guys these days?
The energy has been great. We are very fortunate to play shows and have people singing along to every word.
It must be tough for bands to have members coming and going. Tell us about your experience.
It definitely isn’t easy. I think that Taking Back Sunday is the happiest and strongest it has ever been. The time John and I spent away from the band made all five of us realize how much we need each other to succeed and excel creatively.
Your fans loved your TAYF10 Anniversary Tour in 2012. Why did you guys decide to do it?
We did the TAYF10 Anniversary tour because we genuinely felt so lucky to still be creating music together ten years after Tell All Your Friends was released. We wanted to celebrate that record and how it changed all of our lives.
Step back for a moment to the ’90s. What would the “past you” say to yourself now?
I’d say, “Hang in there kid, you will have everything you’ve ever wanted. Everything you are going through now is a small price to pay for what is to come.”
Is there a fan that has impressed Taking Back Sunday so much they’ll never be forgotten?
There are a group of fans that have named themselves “The Randos”. They are the best. They travel thousands of miles to come to tons of shows all around the US, bake us treats, hang out all day, defend us from internet bullies and never ask for anything in return.
If Taking Back Sunday woke up one day as an all-female band, how would you style yourselves?
I’d want to find myself attractive so I’d style myself like my wife. Long dark hair with lots of tattoos; tight jeans with vintage T-shirts or cute dresses.
How real is the Amityville Horror?
100% FALSE! I think people can be unaware of how powerful and devastating mental illness is.
What does Taking Back Sunday not want to be labeled as?
Nostalgia.
Listening to TAYF10, why does it get so emotional on stage for Taking Back Sunday?
We felt such a strong connection with the intimate crowd that we were so close to. Everyone was singing along so loudly we were touched and just grateful to be up there playing those songs.
What are you most thankful for in the past 15 odd years?
There are so many amazing things that have happened to me it’s hard to list. I’m thankful for my beautiful wife, my amazing son, my great family and friends. I’m thankful for the record we are about to release and all the amazing people we have working for us. I’m thankful for our new home at Hopeless Records and looking forward to a bright future with them.
Taking Back Sunday performs at *SCAPE on March 2. 7pm. Tickets from $58-$68.
