A classic Taking Back Sunday promo picture from the beginning of their career in 2002

The last time I saw Taking Back Sunday, with original members John Nolan and Shaun Cooper, was a show that sticks out clear as day in my memory. It was April 26th, 2003, the Saturday date of the Skate and Surf festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Taking Back Sunday was playing the main stage in Convention Hall and a ton of people packed in to see them play. But as the band took the stage, I turned to my friend and we immediately knew something was awry. Something did not feel right. Everything was off. Even though they sounded fine, something was just really wrong. After they played we turned to each other and said, “What was that?”  Little did we know at the time that was to be one of the last shows John and Shaun would play with the band–and one of the last times we would see Taking Back Sunday play.

Three TBS shows later, a “secret” show that August under the name Booze and Adventure at Birch Hill where they introduced the new members, a show with Saves the Day in September, and a benefit show almost a year later at Starland Ballroom, and it was also the end of me seeing– or listening– to Taking Back Sunday. It just wasn’t the same anymore. It didn’t mean anything to me in the way it once had, and I just couldn’t relate to the music anymore.

The thought and idea of if they would ever play together again, maybe as a one time thing, crossed my mind from time to time. There was even a show I was at that TBS played with Straylight Run in Rhode Island. I had wonder if maybe they would play a song together during the show, but I then later learned that they didn’t even talk to each other at the show–let alone were thinking playing a song or two together. Eventually the idea of them playing together again left my mind, to the point that I didn’t want it because I knew it wouldn’t be the same, I forged ahead with Straylight Run, who were making music that I could relate to, and left Taking Back Sunday as a band who meant everything to me in high school, but was nothing more than a nostalgic memory now.

Fast forward to 2010.

A photo in the same style as the previous one put on the band's website in March 2010 which led to the speculation that Nolan and Cooper had rejoined the band

When I first heard John and Shaun were going back to Taking Back Sunday, I wasn’t excited. I was upset that Straylight Run weren’t going to be playing shows anymore, and was just confused and shocked that they were going back to TBS after everything that happened and was said. Even as I got tickets for their New Jersey show at Starland Ballroom (a venue that didn’t even exist when they use to play New Jersey with the original line-up) I was still unsure of the whole thing. But as the show got closer and closer, and I started to listen to Tell All Your Friends songs, I started to get really excited to see those songs played live–songs I hadn’t listened to or seen live in 5-6 years! I started to remember all the great times I had seeing them and began to think that this could be something really, really fun.

On Tuesday afternoon, I spoke briefly with once old and now new Taking Back Sunday bassist, Shaun Cooper, who told me via text message that he was “soooo stoked” for the night’s show and how while waiting to sound check there was “tons of nervous energy” backstage.  As Taking Back Sunday took the stage Tuesday night, I didn’t see any nervousness–all I could see was a palpable energy of excitement and sense of renewal.

Opening the show was Philadelphia based band, Person L. Not only is Person L a great band who puts on a fun live show, but they are also one of the most fitting bands to open the show. Person L features frontman Kenny Vasoli, who is also known for his previous band, The Starting Line, who played countless shows with Taking Back Sunday in both bands’ early careers. One of my favorite shows was a Taking Back Sunday/Starting Line show in 2002 at Birch Hill during which Kenny jumped in on drums during Bike Scene and Adam broke into an Eminem Rap. So to have Kenny’s current band, Person L, open the show just seemed really fitting.

Taking Back Sunday’s set opened with the monologue from the movie Beautiful Girls,  ( “a beautiful girl can make you dizzy like you’ve been drinking jack and coke all morning…”) which is known for being the intro to “Great Romances of the 20th Century,” but kicked off the start of “Cute Without the ‘E’.”  The crowd erupted and started yelling the words along to the track while the band took stage. All the members of the band had huge smiles on their faces the whole night, and you could just feel how much fun they were having playing together again. At one point, towards the beginning of their set, drummer, Mark O’Connell, even called all the members together for a big group hug. The banter between Adam and John made me smile and laugh, bringing back all the memories I had of seeing this same love of playing together from the band so many years ago.

The band played new and old songs with help from back-up guitarist, Nathan. All songs were not only played with a ton of energy from the band members, but were also received with tons of energy from the crowd. Songs from every Taking Back Sunday album were played, but the excitement and crowd reaction of hearing songs from Tell All Your Friends definitely reigned supreme. Surprisingly, a “cover” song received a huge crowd response too– “Existentialism on Prom Night.” I was struck by how many people were genuinely super excited to be hearing a Straylight Run song; it had me wondering where all these super enthusiastic fans disappeared to at the end of Straylight’s career. Now, it was not a surprise to me, or probably to many people who have followed any of the band member’s Formspring or Twitter accounts, that they were to play at least one Straylight Run song, but I did find it surprising that John Nolan did not sing one of his previous band’s most popular songs. Instead John played the keys and sang back-up while Adam sang lead and played guitar.  Another nice throwback for any Straylight Run fans in attendance was the explosion of confetti during “Existentialism,” which looked just as awesome as it always had at past shows.

The band closed out their set with “MakeDamnSure,” but returned to keep surprising us before the night’s end.  They came back to play “Your Own Disaster” and “There’s No ‘I’ in Team”–and what a way to close out the set! The thought that they would play “Your Own Disaster” never once crossed my mind and was a huge surprise! Not only had the idea not even crossed my mind–but I can’t even remember the last time I heard that song! That one was definitely one for us who had been there when and had come back to celebrate. It probably received the least amount of crowd reaction, but for those of us singing along, it was definitely one of the best highlights of the night. And it wasn’t the only little kickback to the days when they played New Jersey with the original line-up. There were thanks and shoutouts given to the “Peacekeepers” (the name that security had at Birch Hill, Krome, and most New Jersey shows at the time [some of the old bouncers were even in attendance singing along!]). I even saw a few people who I use to see at every TBS show back in the day and talked and shared memories with others who were there when. It was nice to see so many older fans turn out and to share the excitement with those who, like me, hadn’t seen them in years, and to also share with the newer fans who never knew what they missed out on, and yet were still excited to witness something really special.

At the end of the night I walked away with two of my friends who had been there from the start with me. Even though none of us had seen them in years, and didn’t know any songs off Louder Now or New Again, and barley knew any songs from Where You Want to Be, we all had an amazing time and felt like we had been transported back in time to 2002-2003 to when we were young and Taking Back Sunday shows were something we looked forward to with great excitement. It brought back all the memories and good times of feeling like part of something special at a show, being able to jump around, sing your heart out with everyone around you, and walk away covered in the sweat of all those around you and dripping in joy.

It left me curious to see where the band will go with John and Shaun back in the mix. I can’t say for sure or know if I will like the music they will make together or if I will become a fan of the band once again, but they sure left me curious to see what they will do.  I do know one thing for sure–it has definitely put a spark back in the band and the band members. They seem not only thrilled to be together again as band mates, but, more importantly, as friends.

Current photo of the band with old members officially reunited

Set List
Cute Without the ‘E’
Set Phasers to Stun
Liar (It Takes One to Know One)
180 By Summer
Bike Scene
Error Operator
Existentialism on Prom Night
What’s it Feel Like to be a Ghost?
A Decade Under the Influence
Everything Must Go
First New Song (“Best Places to Be a Mom”)
You’re So Last Summer
You Know How I Do
Second New Song (The reworked “I’m Not Gay, I Just Wish I Were”)
Great Romances of the 20th Century
Timberwolves at New Jersey
MakeDamnSure

Encore:
Your Own Disaster
There’s No ‘I’ in Team

Opening Act: Person L

Show Poster

When The Get Up Kids announced that they would be playing at Blender Theater in New York City on May 1st, 2009, well–to say that I was excited would be an understatement.  They had announced awhile back that they would be playing a reunion show at The Bamboozle festival (that same weekend), but that’s a hefty price to pay for such a short set. As it got closer, I figured I would not be seeing “The Kids” play. So when it was announced that they would be playing on the 1st at 10pm I was definitely thrilled.

Two days before the show, a second act, Motzah’s Ballzes, was added to the show. Obviously a fake name, but who could it be? After a few failed attempts looking around online to see who it might be, the only thoughts were that perhaps it might be a Reggie & the Full Effect set, which made sense.

After securing a kick ass parking spot, my friend and I were still wondering who it would be as we made our way to PinkBerry (mmmm!) before the show. As we passed by the venue, glancing over at the decent size lined that had formed before doors despite the rain, I jokingly commented to my friend, “What is this? Brand New 2003?” (referring to a time we had waited on line in the rain to see Brand New in NYC). Little did I know…

After our delicious PinkBerry, we made our way back to the venue, still stumped at who would really walk out on the stage at 10pm. As the lights went down four figures went and took their places on the stage. Being that we were more towards the back of the venue, with the dark lights, it was hard to make out who it was. As the opening chords to “You Won’t Know” rung out, my friend and I snapped and looked at each other, eyes wider than an owl’s and jaws on the floor.

Me: “No way, is that?”
Friend: “No. No way. Wait is that really..?”
Me: “Wait, maybe someone is just covering their song to make it seem like it’s going to be Brand New.”
Friend: “Is this really Brand New? No, it can’t be. Is it?”
Jesse Lacey: “Hey hey hey Mr. Hangman, go get your rope…”
Me: “That sounds like Jesse… is it really them? Is this for real?”
Friend: “Wait, that totally looks like Vin on right. That’s him, right?”
Finally the lights get brighter as the second verse kicks in,
Both: “HOLY CRAP IT REALLY IS BRAND NEW!!”

Our utter and total disbelief, shock, and surprise was brought on because not only had we not thought of Brand New as an option (totally forgetting about a show they were supposed to play together not too long ago in Alaska that was canceled due to volcanic activity. I had even looked into how much a plane ticket would be to Alaska (more out of curiosity and wishful thinking) because I thought “how awesome would it be to see Brand New and The Get Up Kids together!” ) but we were also so thrown off because we had not even seen Brand New in over a year.

Brand New sounded great for their entire set, which mainly consisted of songs from The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me. They even played a new song, which I’ve gathered is entitled “Trees,” which is musically in the veins of The Devil and God.. and was just downright awesome. Definitely has me anticipating their new release. As their set ended, Jesse and Brian started to play the intro to Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit,” but Jesse messed up and they shrugged and walked off stage.

Set List:

• You Won’t Know
• Okay I Believe You, but My Tommy Gun Don’t
• Trees
• Archers
• Jesus
• Degausser
• The Quiet Things that No One Ever Knows
• Seventy Times 7

What a great way to start the show and make me even more excited to see The Get Up Kids play!

Unfortunately for me, I had only been able to see The Get Up Kids play twice before they broke up. The first time at an in store performance for the release of Guilt Show and the second time at the New Jersey stop of their farewell tour. Everyone at the show seemed just as excited to be seeing the Kids play once more, singing and moving around for basically everything they played, albeit the crowd was very apparently more subdued for songs off of On a Wire (except for “Campfire Kansas”) and Guilt Show.

One of the things I love the most is when the members of the band I’m seeing are obviously having a great time, and The Get Up Kids sure seemed to be. Cracking jokes, smiling and laughing, and taking pictures with one another throughout the set. My friend and I had made our way into the crowd for their set, jumping around and singing along with everyone. One thing very apparent in the crowd was how drunk everyone seemed to be, but everyone was being nice and having a great time, so more power to them (even if a few were having balance issues at points). My favorite person was the guy who all of a sudden put his hands above his head (ballerina-style) and straight-faced, twirled his way out of the crowd.

Hands down, one of the best shows I have been to in a very long time, and I was sad the good times had to end.  All week I have been thinking about that show, and how great it was to see Brand New and The Get Up Kids. I anxiously look forward to seeing The Get Up Kids again if they actually are touring for the anniversary of Something to Write Home About later this year. Until then…

Set List:

• Coming Clean
• Action & Action
• The One You Want
• Valentine
  
• Holiday
  
• Woodson
• Never Be Alone
  
• Red Letter Day
  
• Up on the Roof
• Campfire Kansas
  
• Holy Roman
  
• Mass Pike
  
• No Love
  
• I’m a Loner Dottie, A Rebel
• I’ll Catch You

Encore

• Close to Me
• Don’t Hate Me
  
• Ten Minutes
  
• Walking on a Wire

The last time anyone saw The Get Up Kids in San Francisco was in 2005 when the bands who opened for them were the very unknown Punchline from PA (still relatively unknown) and the relatively unheardof Say Anything from LA, CA (now a seemingly large pile of scene). This show was at The (legendary) Fillmore and sold out within the first day or so of ticket sales. Last night was slightly different. The artist who opened was a rapper from TGUK’s hometown of Kansas City and was accompanied by his buddy DJ Strategy. The show itself didn’t sell out (I’m sure it was close to selling out though), nor was it promoted at all. So, four years later, things are a little different but when you’re a band like TGUK you can’t help but to do what you’ve been doing since your incarnation: completely immersing the room in an ocean of amazing music.

I can’t do injustice to Approach, the said rapper from KC. Now I really don’t know if this is a fad or whatever, but there have been a few bands lately bringing on really out-of-the-ordinary people to open for them (e.g. Minus the Bear + P.O.S, Far + Hottub). I honestly always have my reserves for the opening bands since most of the music I listen to were bands who opened for other bands, especially the weird ones. Approach is no different. He was obviously trying to entertain a crowd of 20 to early 40 year olds who’ve been listening to TGUK since 1997, and rap isn’t necessarily the association we connect with TGUK (or Kansas City) so it was impressive to see his progession during his 30 minute set. Instantly, the crowd was cross-armed and slightly nodding their head to the beat. After Approach jumped into the crowd with the mic and did two songs in the middle of what would later be the circle pit, and after freestyle rapping about TGUK, Spoon, The New Ams, Koufax, Reggie, and the midwest (he even through in some P.O.S lyrics too!) the crowd changed from reserved to entertained, regardless of whether or not they were enjoying the music. The man himself was an entertainer, frequently freestyle rapping about San Francisco and people in the front row (specifically a very reserved girl named Stephanie or something and how she was at a show with her hoodie on still). His set was well received at the end and did the job of getting the crowd excited for our favorite band’s reunion.

The Get Up Kids were kid-in-tow, as was showed by Matt Pryor and his daughter Lily. Jim Suptic, who has a son, either had his kid sleeping already or being babysat by the misses. Matt Pryor, who has been divorced somewhat recently, still wears his wedding band. Maybe Approach has been taking babysitting duties lately. 

The first song was Holiday. The crowd, through the intro, was moving and dancing but not shouting or screaming. Just in awe. The fact that the last time any of us were able to see this band was in 2005, and before that was at a Dashboard Confessional show when they were the opening band, it was just a shock of amazement. This wasn’t a shitty cover band or a YouTube video. This was my favorite band, about two feet away from me. When the lyrics kicked in, it was one of those “this is the show I’ve been waiting for” moments. The crowd was so loud that it lulled the band. Smiles across the faces of all of the Kids kind of sealed the fact that they weren’t doing this for shits and giggles — this show was real and they really meant it. 

There was a mix of old and new songs, with songs that they haven’t played since early 2000s and songs they haven’t played since there album support tours. Specifically, Valentine, a song that Pryor said he would never play again (see TGUK – The Final Show in Lawrence, KS) and Man of Conviction, which was a quick addition to the set list after Matt Pryor said he “was having fun”. Some songs were rusty: Never Be Alone‘s intro was slightly botched (if I remember right) and the cover of Close to Me was a sloppy performance from Rob Pope’s bass playing. Some songs were amazing: On a Wire was amazing, although every show I’ve seen this song never has ceased to impress. There wasn’t one song that I wished they played something different other than The Cure cover and maybe Holy Roman. Songs they could have replaced those two songs with: Shorty and Up on the Roof. 

Some highlights: Matt Pryor singing the lyrics from Never Be Alone – There’s a box with his ring on the shelf and it’s tarnished and as he’s singing these lyrics his hand with his wedding ring facing us was out, shaking. Jim Suptic conducting the crowd for the backup vocals during Out of Reach. Rob’s shoes — they make him look Elvish. Matt telling Lily that they have one more song left and then they’re going to bed (the last song was I’ll Catch You, naturally).

Was this my favorite show ever? It’s one of them. And definitely one of the most memorable. Especially because I have this setlist.

If we had known what we know now…
One year later, we’d still be around.

Of course, many people draw the idea that TGUK is doing this because of money. They are re-releasing, arguably, their best record Something to Write Home About, and doing a reunion tour in support of it. Their first set of shows they played StWHA in it’s entirety, playing songs some haven’t heard live since their inaugural StWHA tour. Everyone hasn’t heard songs like Holiday and Ten Minutes live since 2005. And with the idea that every single member is living in the shadow of TGUK, except for Reggie-himself James Dewees (a member of MRC’s Black Parade), a reunion would reignite the money machine for everyone and their shortcomings. I don’t think this is the case at all personally.

I actually believe the only person who wasn’t that well off in their post-TGUK experiences was Jim Suptic (my favorite “Kid”). But even Suptic had his reasons and ways to work around it. He had a fucking kid, who wants to be touring the US like the Popes in Koufax, or Dewees with Reggie and MCR?? Suptic also had his project, Blackpool Lights, and a somewhat underground following with their CD This Town’s Disaster.  Now, even though Matt Pryor, in all his glory, was also bestowed with a child (two of them now), Suptic also didn’t have a somewhat structured project like Pryor, who had The New Amsterdams to fall on. Suptic, other than having a record label and a studio (Black Lodge Recordings in Eudora, KS is for sale for $300,000 for anyone who is interested), has a somewhat disbanded project and now a kid. Unfortunately, this isn’t the best position when trying to raise a family. Especially when you’re band has sold out every single show you’ve played since your annoucement of breaking up in 2005.

Jim Suptic - from Wikipedia

Rob and Ryan Pope have had a steady performance after TGUK. Joining up with Koufax and also drumming/bassing for bands like White Whale, Tijuana Crime Scene, and, more notably, Spoon. Ryan, the younger of the two, ended up making a techno-rock band called Roman Numerals lately. WTF indeed, people.

Rob Pope - from Wikipedia

Ryan Pope - from Flickr

James Dewees, when he’s not supposedly molesting scene girls, has done most notably well. Reggie and the Full Effect have been a band with a cult following since they released their insanely entertaining CD Promotional Copy back in 2000 (I think it was 2000…). Their following releases were just as culty, and their shows have never let down. Along with a prominent base of fans, a move to be the keyboardist during The Black Parade world tour for My Chemical Romance. Also, becoming an official member (his own words) and saying Reggie and the Full Effect would be taking a backseat to MCR is all good reasons for being “busy”.

Dewees - thanks MTV!

Leaving us with Matt Pryor. Not as explosive as Dewees in his own news, Pryor released three albums with The New Amsterdams and his own Confidence Man under his own name. Along with many solo tours and touring with blues and roots bands with his own bands, Matt Pryor kept in the low light. Most say on purpose. He too with a kid in tow went from being in a demanding five piece rock band to a more mellow, less demanding, four piece, as well as his own solo tours. Why jump back into the thick of things when he packs in east coast sit down shows?

Matt Pryor - from zooglobble.com

Maybe the push came from Jim Suptic. Maybe Matt Pryor, during the solo tours, while playing old TGUK b-sides, had second thoughts. Some of the best songs I’ve heard were from TGUK. Some very amazing songs came out of Pryor’s other stuff. No one really knows why the Kids got back together. Maybe AP will find that out for us.