Taking Back Sunday are one of the most culturally significant acts borne out of early 2000s emo. Over the last 20 years, Taking Back Sunday have crafted a career and carved an influence in emo like no other. With a back catalogue that spans the genres most acclaimed and influential albums. The band are a hallmark whos legacy lives in the DNA of every new band that dabbles in the world of huge choruses, catchy guitars, cutting lyricism and mic swings.
Next month, the Long Island emo legends will be embarking on a nationwide tour in celebration of their 20th anniversary as a band. To celebrate the seminal pop-punk act hitting Australian shores for a momentous career-spanning tour, we asked some of our favourite Australian acts about the influence and legacy of Taking Back Sunday.
Watch: Taking Back Sunday – Cute Without the ‘E’
Hellions
“The band had a profound impact on me at a young age, in particular with their vocal stylings. I was obsessed with Adam’s vocal delivery and melodies; I would often lock myself in the garage at home and make horrible attempts at trying to sing and perform the way he did, which most definitely included the mic swinging.
They were one of the first “emo” punk bands I was introduced to and well, that seems to have stuck. I will forever be trying to squeeze vocal counter melodies into Hellions songs thanks to these guys.”
Taking Back Sunday – Timberwolves at New Jersey
Thornhill
“I remember the videos for Makedamnsure & Liar airing on Channel V for the first time when I was in primary school and being heavily influenced to start listening to punk music largely because of those singles. Since I started playing in bands in my mid-teens that album [Tell All Your Friends] was always a big influence on my songwriting.” – Matt Van Duppen, Guitar.
Watch: Taking Back Sunday – You’re So Last Summer
After Touch
“I have been a big fan of Taking Back Sunday for a long time, my affinity for the band started with “Louder Now” and is still an album I routinely play through.
“Miami” and “Spin” are my favourite tracks and inspired me to pick up a guitar in the first place.
“I’ll Let You Live” is the song I have taken the most inspiration from for After Touch, we try to write soft verses into large choruses and capture the juxtaposition between the two in the same way that Taking Back Sunday have with this song in particular.” – Jack Rankin, Guitar
Watch: Taking Back Sunday – MakeDamnSure
Yours Truly
Watch: Taking Back Sunday – Liar (It Takes One To Know One)
Saviour
“Taking Back Sunday was one of those early day bands that I found on my own and stayed with me even until now. I must have been like 11 years old and watching the skate channel on Channel V at the time when I saw the music video for ‘Cute Without The E’
Pretty well got straight on LimeWire, downloaded the Tell All Your Friends album illegally and listened to that on repeat for years. I might know every single word on that album.
Watching them live growing up was epic, Adam Lazzara is pretty much spider man on stage and the band always set the bar high for what an energetic show is meant to look like. Even in some of our shows I’ll channel my inner Adam and give the mic a good old spin around. On a few instances, it has gone horrendously wrong for me but that’s whole different story Haha. They’re iconic, a massive inspiration on my journey through music.” – Bryant Best, Vocals
Taking Back Sunday will be heading to Australia in January for a slew of headline dates. They’ll be hitting up venues in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, they will also be headlining the fifth instalment of Unify Gathering.
Don’t miss out on seeing emo’s most influential act play what is destined to be an unforgettable show. Tickets and more information below.
Taking Back Sunday 2019
20th Anniversary Australian Tour
Wednesday, 9th January
HQ, Adelaide (Performing Tell All Your Friends & Louder Now)
Tickets: Live Nation
Friday, 11th January
170 Russell, Melbourne (Performing Where You Want To Be & Louder Now)
Tickets: Live Nation
Monday, 14th January
Metro Theatre, Sydney (Performing Tell All Your Friends & Louder Now)
Tickets: Live Nation
Tuesday, 15th January
Metro Theatre, Sydney (Performing Tell All Your Friends & Where You Want To Be)
Tickets: Live Nation
Wednesday, 16th January
The Triffid, Brisbane (Performing Tell All Your Friends & Louder Now)
Tickets: Live Nation
Thursday, 17th January
The Triffid, Brisbane (Performing Tell All Your Friends & Where You Want To Be)
Tickets: Live Nation
Also performing at UNIFY Gathering on 12th January
