mark oconnell

If you’ve been a pop-punk fan for quite some time now, we’re willing to bet it was a fast, upbeat song that first made you fall in love with the genre. You probably still remember the jolt of energy you felt when your now-favorite songs blasted through your speakers for the first time, and you […]

Taking Back Sunday are a bona fide institution. From their captivating emo roots to the solid modern-rock foundation they’ve continued to build upon, singer Adam Lazzara, guitarist John Nolan, bassist Shaun Cooper and drummer Mark O’Connell have offered us soundtracks for our youth—and way, way beyond. We know all about the majesty of “Cute Without […]

Before Taking Back Sunday settled into the Taking Back Sunday lineup you know and love, they had a slightly different configuration: Eddie Reyes’ pal Antonio Longo was the vocalist—and a kid named Adam Lazzara was on bass. Of course, the latter eventually settled into the frontman role after Longo departed from the band, Shaun Cooper […]

After John Nolan and Shaun Cooper left Taking Back Sunday in 2003, the band was reeling. Vocalist Adam Lazzara was torn up about the departures and about the end of his relationship with Nolan’s sister, Michelle. Meanwhile, drummer Mark O’Connell faced the toughest decision of his career. Should he join his close pals Nolan and […]