Taking Back Sunday donít miss a beat with new lineup, CD
By KELLY WILSON
Get Out

Scream-o’s beloved Adonis is on the phone and he wants to make sure we know who he is.

“Hi, this is Adam Lazzara and I’m with a band called Taking Back Sunday,” the 23-year-old singer says cheerily.

Although we have to fight back the urge to roll our eyes and say duh, we can’t help but find his modesty endearing.

If you’re familiar with indie rock, you’re probably already aware of TBS and its frontman.

This is a band who sold nearly 350,000 copies of their powerful 2002 debut “Tell All Your Friends.” This is a band who is known for their explosive live performances, which they usually sell out, and their mike-swinging singer.

This is also a band who was rumored to be feuding with fellow scream-o darlings Brand New and who almost broke up after two of their members (guitarist/vocalist John Nolan and bassist Shaun Cooper) announced plans to leave and form their own project, Straylight Run.
Instead of throwing in the towel, TBS enlisted guitarist/vocalist Fred Mascherino and bassist Matt Rubano and released a new album, “Where You Want to Be,” in late July.

“We didn’t know if we would keep going,” Lazzara says, “but it was very short-lived. When we sat down and looked at everything and put in perspective what we have been working for, it just made sense to keep going.”

Although they’ve caught the eye of major labels, TBS chose to release their sophomore effort on independent Victory Records.

“We can get away with more stuff with recording or how we want to present ourselves and things like that,” Lazzara says. “I imagine that we would have the same say on a major label but just being on an indie there’s just never a question about it.”

They may be indie, but that doesn’t mean Lazzara doesn’t appreciate the more commercial acts out there. He’s even a Third Eye Blind fan.

“Oh, hell yeah, I love that band,’’ he says when we mention the pop rock act.

And he digs Maroon 5.

“I bought that record not too long ago and I'm not a fan of the whole thing, but they have some songs on there that are just real solid,’’ he says. “Dudes playing funky dance music is always funny to me.’’

Lazzara also digs hometown boys, Jimmy Eat World.

“I’ve been watching Jimmy Eat World play for a while now so they’re more like heroes for me just because I’m a huge fan of their band and I have been since I was like 15. Anytime that we’ve been fortunate to play with them or talk to them, I still haven’t gotten past the geeking out yet.’’