Welcome to Emo Without The “E” (aka Maybe Ok)
Where the weekend meets those that are responsible for some of the greatest sad songs. To start this section off, we’re talking about none other than Taking Back Sunday.
Seems like just yesterday Myspace lead me to “MakeDamnSure”. The year was 2006 and I was struggling to prevent having to put on an AIM away message. It was easier said then done when sharing a single computer with four older siblings. Dial up was the story of many people’s lives at this time and I have never been so good at HTML coding (nor would I ever be as good). Once it was my time on the computer, with my mom closely monitoring nearby, I found myself completely consumed by the music I was finding.
A lot of bands that I found in those days are the same that I continually play daily i.e Spotify Playlist. For many people like me emo* music is not a phase.
Hearing Adam Lazzara’s** voice reassured the angst that I had yet released in my early teenage years. I did a deep dive into emo music and never felt the need to swim ashore. I would scream/sing at the top of my lungs in my bedroom whilst jumping off the bed or playing an air instrument on point. Learning all of their songs and falling in absolutely love with Tell All Your Friends. It was hard to grasp (something everyone has experienced at least once in their life) the fact that I hadn’t heard of it nor of them when that album first came out. But, they had me as a lifetime fan upon the first listen.
Seeing them live is a whole other ballgame. As with most rock music live shows are pivotal for the band. For emo music specifically though, being a part of the crowd is as important as the music itself. The last time I saw Taking Back Sunday live was at the final Warped Tour in 2018. The crowd was just as rowdy as the mid 2000’s. In the words of their song “Timberwolves At New Jersey” (2002):
“I got the mic and you got the mosh pit.”
Stay up to date on all things Taking Back Sunday on their weekly YouTube show Talking Back Sunday. Catch them live hopefully in 2021!
Live music is a detrimental part of emo music and the community it brings together. Live music has been and continues to be hit hard due to COVID-19. Please show your support to these great organizations.
Help local independent venues
Support live music workers
Be ready to vote
Check on your mental heath, it's ok to not be ok
*Emo definition according to Dictionary.com:
A type of guitar-based rock music developed from emocore but having a softer, pop or mainstream sound.
A fan of emo, especially a person who is overly sensitive, emotional, and full of angst, or who adopts a certain style characterized by dyed black hair, tight t-shirts and skinny jeans, etc.
**Adam Lazzara is the lead singer of Taking Back Sunday and shares a birthday with me (September 22).