With a career spanning seven studio albums and being classed as the godfathers of the ‘emo’ movement, Taking Back Sunday have truly earned icon status. Now the guys are back with their new release Tidal Wave, which highlights a new sound and direction for the band. However, according to Adam Lazzara, the bands front man, Taking Back Sunday has never tried to fit into a particular genre.
“I can tell you right now I don’t really pay much attention to that stuff [genres]. I listen to what I like, which covers almost every genre. But for us, I have always said that people can call us whatever they want, they can categorise us in any way, just as long as they are listening,” he says.
“I think the biggest thing with writing is that the issues or things that you are struggling with change. I’m not dealing with breakups and relationships at this point in my life, like I was when I was 18. So I think it’s all just taken its natural course. I would hope that people who are listening or have been listening, could find a little bit of themselves in the songs and the lyrics.”
Tidal Wave shows a much more mature sound for the band, with lyrics now written from the perspectives of fathers. The new album features a much more defined rock and roll sound, perfectly suited for a live setting. According to Lazzara, the band didn’t know exactly what to expect prior to the recording process.
“When we are going in to write, we never have any preconceived notion. We just go into the studio and try to make the best songs that the five of us can make. But we do that without any thoughts of what people may categorise it as.
“No matter what we do, it will always have the vibe of a Taking Back Sunday record. So I think with this one, we wanted to take a snapshot of where everyone is in their lives, their musical taste and really to show the improvement everyone has instrumentally.”
Making their way back over to Australia, Taking Back Sunday will be hitting our shores this March for the Tidal Wave headline tour. According to Lazzara the band is incredibly excited to make another trip over, making this year the bands 6th Australian visit.
“We are very excited! We will be out there with Acceptance – we played a show with them in December and they are a great band and really solid guys, so we are really excited to head over. For us to be able to travel so far from home and have people know who our band and know our songs blows our mind every single time. I feel very fortunate that we are able to come over.”
When & Where: 170 Russell, Melbourne – March 19 & 21
Written by Alex Callan
