With his signature microphone gymnastics, Adam Lazzara is currently swinging around Australia on Taking Back Sunday’s third visit.

Speaking to FasterLouder before the Soundwave tour kick-off, the band is looking forward to joining a string of friends on this epic circuit of sweat and parties. “We’ve got friends that have done it in the past,” Lazzara reveals. “When we first got the offer for Soundwave we were on tour with them, and just asked them how it was. They had nothing but great things to say about it so that got us excited.”

Taking Back Sunday has been in non-stop tour mode since the release of New Again. “It’s always real rewarding when you make anything new and you go out and bring it to the people and see them react to it. So it has been a real fun time out on the road.”

For Lazzara, Australia is one of the most exciting prospects on the schedule. “It’ll be nice for us ‘cause, you know, it’s February and it’s always freezing cold…it’s almost like we’re chasing summer.”

Along with the US sub-zero temperatures, they’re also leaving behind the bitter revelations surrounding the departure of former guitarist and vocalist, Fred Mascherino. In his post-Taking Back Sunday statements, Mascherino suggested that the band had succumbed to the major label pressures of aspiring to chart stardom.

Lazzara is keen to put the rumour to rest. “We still kept control of what we wanted to do, that was a very important thing,” he says. “There has always been the myth surrounding the major label; that they try to mould you to this other thing. The biggest goal for us is to always be progressing and moving forward. Partnering up with Warner just means it’s a lot easier for our music to get a wider reach.”

With the talents of guitarist Matthew Fazzi introduced on the latest release, Lazzara enthuses how the band is literally new again. “We called the most recent record New Again simply because that’s what it feels like. We are in a totally different band, just because there has been this new life breathed into the band with the addition of Matt. I’m personally proud of ourselves for keeping it together.

“In the past I tried to be very cryptic [lyrically], because in my head what I figured was that the more cryptic that it was the easier it would be for other people to relate it to their own lives, but then with New Again, I was a lot more forward.”

The result was therapeutic, and well received by the fans. “I think I felt like I needed to do for myself. I found that it’s just as easy for people to relate when you’re moving forward…It’s not necessarily harder, it’s just a little more scary, and you’re really throwing yourself out there.”

“I think it was a progression, personally, ‘cause that’s always a goal within the band, always be moving forward, and never be standing still, and I think we accomplished that.”

Despite continuing to travel the world, the band retains one foot firmly in home soil. They honour their roots by the ‘152’ seen on every release. Lazzara explains the meaning. “I grew up in North Carolina, so we would have to drive about an hour and a half to see any other rock shows. Exit 152 was the halfway mark and it was where everyone would always meet. So, it’s just kinda a nod to all our friends back home, just so they know that no matter how long we’re gone or how far away we are, they are still a huge part of what we do.”

With a tour manager hailing from Sydney, Taking Back Sunday has a personal city guide. However, they have always found gems in each stop. “Both times that we have been in Melbourne we have been to the aquarium and both times we have been in Brisbane we have gone to the koala sanctuary. Those are two things we’ll definitely be doing again.”

New Again is out now on Warner Music. Taking Back Sunday continues the Soundwave tour this week.

Thursday 25 February – The Metro, Sydney

Friday 26 Feb – Soundwave Festival Melbourne

Saturday 27 Feb – Soundwave Festival Adelaide

Monday 1 March – Soundwave Festival Perth