Taking Back Sunday
Words: Rob Lyon
Taking Back Sunday is returning to Australia with good pals New Found Glory, The Maine and This Time Next Year, giving punters plenty of value for their hard earned cash. What is good news for their fans is that John Nolan and Shaun Cooper returned to the fold in time for the release of Taking Back Sunday, with this unit being settled and happy moving forward.
Their self-titled album featuring the original line up has received plenty of positive press, proving to be their most varied and innovative record to date. Eddie Reynes spoke to Caught In The Mosh about piracy of their relatively new album and what their plans are beyond their upcoming Australian tour.
Are you excited to be touring Australia again?
Oh yeah, we’re very excited! The last time we were there was Soundwave 2010, which was the best festival. The festival was great so it will be great to see what it’s like playing venues again on this tour.
Were you happy with the attention that Taking Back Sunday got from fans, the media and the music industry?
It is what it is! We don’t sell records any more but the reaction is great and the shows have been great and our record label seems to be doing a pretty good job. I’m happy with it and I haven’t heard anything bad about it.
When you say that the band doesn’t sell records any more, is it frustrating knowing that people are stealing it from torrent sites and not paying for it?
At first I was always supportive of downloading because I grew up with bootlegging but in the last couple of years I didn’t expect it to get as ridiculous as it is. It does hurt the band and always seems to be a sensitive subject because people are saying, “what are you complaining about”, that you’re getting money playing shows and all that. We don’t really make a lot of money doing that and plus it’s ruining music and record labels. At first hurting the record label was fine and now it’s starting to hurt the bands, so it can be very frustrating.
Is there any easy answer to solve this?
I don’t know if there is an easy answer but there’s always going to be some shitty person out there who’s going to snatch it online to be spiteful. I honestly believe that people don’t care about the band that much if they put it online for it to be stolen. I think it’s a lot of jealousy and people who just don’t like bands, they’re hackers and that’s what they do. I don’t think it will ever go away and it definitely won’t get better. The best you can do is to hope people like it and then come out and see you play.
Their self-titled album featuring the original line up has received plenty of positive press, proving to be their most varied and innovative record to date. Eddie Reynes spoke to Caught In The Mosh about piracy of their relatively new album and what their plans are beyond their upcoming Australian tour.
Are you excited to be touring Australia again?
Oh yeah, we’re very excited! The last time we were there was Soundwave 2010, which was the best festival. The festival was great so it will be great to see what it’s like playing venues again on this tour.
Were you happy with the attention that Taking Back Sunday got from fans, the media and the music industry?
It is what it is! We don’t sell records any more but the reaction is great and the shows have been great and our record label seems to be doing a pretty good job. I’m happy with it and I haven’t heard anything bad about it.
When you say that the band doesn’t sell records any more, is it frustrating knowing that people are stealing it from torrent sites and not paying for it?
At first I was always supportive of downloading because I grew up with bootlegging but in the last couple of years I didn’t expect it to get as ridiculous as it is. It does hurt the band and always seems to be a sensitive subject because people are saying, “what are you complaining about”, that you’re getting money playing shows and all that. We don’t really make a lot of money doing that and plus it’s ruining music and record labels. At first hurting the record label was fine and now it’s starting to hurt the bands, so it can be very frustrating.
Is there any easy answer to solve this?
I don’t know if there is an easy answer but there’s always going to be some shitty person out there who’s going to snatch it online to be spiteful. I honestly believe that people don’t care about the band that much if they put it online for it to be stolen. I think it’s a lot of jealousy and people who just don’t like bands, they’re hackers and that’s what they do. I don’t think it will ever go away and it definitely won’t get better. The best you can do is to hope people like it and then come out and see you play.
Will this influence the way Taking Back Sunday will go about releasing it's next album?
I don’t know if releasing EP’s or singles is a good thing but I’ve always had the idea about why not release a record over a year, releasing four songs, then another four songs. There’s nothing you can do about piracy, absolutely nothing! All the kids at our shows say they’ve downloaded it and that they’ll buy it later. You know that they won’t, as people are having trouble with money in the economy now.
Has there been much thought about where you may take the next album?
We’ve played around with some ideas and we haven’t shot for anything different. Being back with the old guys, everything is coming naturally. The last record was horrible, as some band members would state that this is what we’re going for and that’s it, and some of us would say why don’t you write the record, which turned out like shit. That’s why we got back with the old guys; we’re on the same page and we’d bring a six-pack of beer any jam all night, whether it’s a pop song, or it’s this or it’s that.
Is it the most exciting period for the band now with a reunited line up?
It is. I wonder if Australia even knows.
I don’t know if releasing EP’s or singles is a good thing but I’ve always had the idea about why not release a record over a year, releasing four songs, then another four songs. There’s nothing you can do about piracy, absolutely nothing! All the kids at our shows say they’ve downloaded it and that they’ll buy it later. You know that they won’t, as people are having trouble with money in the economy now.
Has there been much thought about where you may take the next album?
We’ve played around with some ideas and we haven’t shot for anything different. Being back with the old guys, everything is coming naturally. The last record was horrible, as some band members would state that this is what we’re going for and that’s it, and some of us would say why don’t you write the record, which turned out like shit. That’s why we got back with the old guys; we’re on the same page and we’d bring a six-pack of beer any jam all night, whether it’s a pop song, or it’s this or it’s that.
Is it the most exciting period for the band now with a reunited line up?
It is. I wonder if Australia even knows.
Do you think this greater expectation with the next album?
There’s always pressure and people will always want us to write the first fucking record again, which is so annoying and not going to happen. That record was written ten, twelve years ago and we’re old men now – that’s pressure! When we’re ready to put the new record out and people say it doesn’t sound like the first one, it’s like wow! That’s the pressure with any new record you put out.
Do you have any other projects on the go?
I’m throwing some ideas around which may lead to some sort of side project, it’s nothing too crazy. I’ve been trying to do something different to keep myself busy when I’m not touring with Taking Back Sunday. Taking Back Sunday is my number one priority but I’ll keep writing, and with other people. I’ve been experimenting with a female singer on this next record so that will be different. Trust me, its way in the early stages and no one will hear anything of it for at least another year. I’m so busy with Taking Back Sunday and that’s my baby, which will always come first.
Teaming up with New Found Glory makes for a great double bill don’t you think?
Yeah, they’re headlining too! I’m excited that we don’t have to headline. I’ve know those guys for years. They probably don’t remember it but I booked them a show years ago on Long Island when they weren’t even a poppy band, just a slow whinny emo band. Then a year later they turned in to New Found Glory. That was like ten years ago! I used to book shows on Long Island and it’s great to see how some of these bands have grown. I have a lot of respect for those guys and they’ve been around for a long time.
Is there a friendly rivalry between the bands?
No pressure but we’ll destroy them every night! There is no competition and we’re just two fun bands with two different styles, two different energies who are both fucking great live. It’s going to be a fun show! It is fun to tour with old friends!
The tour with New Found Glory, Taking Back Sunday, the Maine and This TIme Next Year kicks off Thursday 5th April. Brisbane's first show has already sold out, so get in now to make sure you get a ticket!
Thursday 5 April - Brisbane, The Tivoli - 18+ - SOLD OUT
Friday 6 April - Brisbane, The Tivoli - 18+ - tickets from Ticketek
Saturday 7 April - Sydney, Big Top Luna Park - Lic/AA - tickets from Ticketek, Bigtopsydney and Oztix
Sunday 8 April - Melbourne, Festival Hall - Lic And Unlic Areas - tickets from Ticketmaster
Tuesday 10 April - Adelaide, Thebarton Theatre - Lic/AA - tickets from Venutix
There’s always pressure and people will always want us to write the first fucking record again, which is so annoying and not going to happen. That record was written ten, twelve years ago and we’re old men now – that’s pressure! When we’re ready to put the new record out and people say it doesn’t sound like the first one, it’s like wow! That’s the pressure with any new record you put out.
Do you have any other projects on the go?
I’m throwing some ideas around which may lead to some sort of side project, it’s nothing too crazy. I’ve been trying to do something different to keep myself busy when I’m not touring with Taking Back Sunday. Taking Back Sunday is my number one priority but I’ll keep writing, and with other people. I’ve been experimenting with a female singer on this next record so that will be different. Trust me, its way in the early stages and no one will hear anything of it for at least another year. I’m so busy with Taking Back Sunday and that’s my baby, which will always come first.
Teaming up with New Found Glory makes for a great double bill don’t you think?
Yeah, they’re headlining too! I’m excited that we don’t have to headline. I’ve know those guys for years. They probably don’t remember it but I booked them a show years ago on Long Island when they weren’t even a poppy band, just a slow whinny emo band. Then a year later they turned in to New Found Glory. That was like ten years ago! I used to book shows on Long Island and it’s great to see how some of these bands have grown. I have a lot of respect for those guys and they’ve been around for a long time.
Is there a friendly rivalry between the bands?
No pressure but we’ll destroy them every night! There is no competition and we’re just two fun bands with two different styles, two different energies who are both fucking great live. It’s going to be a fun show! It is fun to tour with old friends!
The tour with New Found Glory, Taking Back Sunday, the Maine and This TIme Next Year kicks off Thursday 5th April. Brisbane's first show has already sold out, so get in now to make sure you get a ticket!
Thursday 5 April - Brisbane, The Tivoli - 18+ - SOLD OUT
Friday 6 April - Brisbane, The Tivoli - 18+ - tickets from Ticketek
Saturday 7 April - Sydney, Big Top Luna Park - Lic/AA - tickets from Ticketek, Bigtopsydney and Oztix
Sunday 8 April - Melbourne, Festival Hall - Lic And Unlic Areas - tickets from Ticketmaster
Tuesday 10 April - Adelaide, Thebarton Theatre - Lic/AA - tickets from Venutix