Taking Back Columbus

September 9, 2014

10:55 AM

Photos by Stephan Reed

By Stephan Reed

Since forming in 1999, post-hardcore/rock outfit Taking Back Sunday has toured nationally and internationally on countless occasions, but Columbus remains one of their favorite spots to play because of one tradition.

At the beginning of the band’s set, guitarist and Sandusky native Eddie Reyes gave a commanding “O-H” shout to the thousands in attendance.

And the crowd responded to lead vocalist Adam Lazzara’s liking, with a resounding “I-O.”

“That’s one reason why Columbus is my favorite place to play in Ohio,” he said. “You’ve also got a great college around here and Grandview is so beautiful.”

The show at the LC Pavilion marked the third date of Taking Back Sunday and The Used’s 2014 North American Fall tour. The 24-date tour will take the bands from Columbus, to Washington and to Canada, before Taking Back Sunday heads to Finland Nov. 27.

Taking Back Sunday headlined the show, performing a solid combination of newer jams and throwback hits.

On the menu were mainstays “Liar (It Takes One to Know One),” “A Decade Under the Influence,” “Cute Without the ‘E’” and their biggest single to date “MakeDamnSure.”

The Used brought a little more intensity to the stage, with frontman Bert McCracken’s high-energy antics and conviction-filled promotion of “functional anarchy” throughout the set.

Before the song “Taste of Ink,” McCracken professed his passion for playing and appreciation for all those who have stuck with the band since its inception in 2001.

“This song means more to me than it ever has before,” he said. “Life is truly in my hands at this point and I thank you for making my dreams come true. Look at this smile on my face.”

The song boasts lyrics such as “So here I am, it’s in my hands and I’ll savor every moment of this” and “As long as you’re alive, here I am. I promise I will take you there.”

The set for The Used included, but was not limited to, “Take It Away,” “I Caught Fire,” “The Bird and the Worm” and “All that I’ve Got” before closing their part of the show with a special rendition of “A Box Full of Sharp Objects,” which included an intro tribute to 90s grunge act Nirvana and an outro featuring the band’s rendition of “Killing In the Name Of” by Rage Against the Machine.

Frank Iero and the Cellabration opened the show – their third show together – with guitar-driven punk rock. Iero is of My Chemical Romance fame and will play a few shows with his old friends.