Taking Back Sunday at Rockville Centre
photo by Kurt Christensen

Taking Back Sunday played their smallest Long Island show in years (pics, video)

“I feel like this is going well,” singer Adam Lazzara said after leading the crowd in a scream-along of “What It Feels Like to Be a Ghost.” He was smiling as he watched the tightly packed crowd scream back at him like they did years ago at The Downtown in Farmingdale and he ran to the back of the bar letting fans sing into the mic like the old days as well.

The Long Beach-based band, currently in the middle of a global tour to celebrate its 20th anniversary, hasn’t played a show this small in years, though Lazzara did remind everyone how they used to play the nearby Vibe Lounge, before playing the classic “You Know How I Do.” The band is set to headline the opening night of the Great South Bay Music Festival, Long Island’s largest music festival, in July.

However, Taking Back Sunday drummer Mark O’Connell grew up with the late Tommy Brull and his brother, event organizer Martin Brull, and was eager to help the foundation’s project to help build Mr. B’s Adaptive/Inclusive Playground in Rockville Centre, which would give children of all abilities a place to play together. [Newsday]

Long Island emo vets Taking Back Sunday played their smallest show in years at the 200-cap RJ Daniels American Bar & Grill in Rockville Centre last night (3/11). It was a Tommy Brull Foundation benefit, and proceeds are going to Mr. B’s Playground, “a space for children of all abilities to be built adjacent to the John A. Anderson Recreation Center.” Newer Long Island band Somerset Thrower opened. Pictures are in the gallery above and some video clips are below.

As mentioned in the review quoted above, TBS are in the midst of their 20th anniversary tour this year, and they also play day one of Long Island’s Great South Bay Music Festival (7/18) with fellow Long Islanders Glassjaw, as well as The Menzingers and Frank Iero (tickets). The 20th anniversary tour (which sees them playing their first three albums in full) includes NYC shows on November 15 & 16 at Terminal 5 (tickets). They’re also playing the Warped Tour 25th anniversary celebration in Atlantic City, which is now sold out.

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photos by Kurt Christensen