Interview with Eddie Reyes of Taking Back Sunday
By Megan Fair

How has Warped Tour been, seeing as it’s a reunion of your original line up?

It’s cool, we’ve been seeing a lot of friends we haven’t seen in a long time. It felt right to do it again; it’s been so many years. We’re just back together with the original members, having fun. Well, trying to have fun; it’s so hot out there!

Of all the dates so far, where have you had the best reception?

Every day has been awesome, every single day. We’ve had huge crowds, everyone’s singing along and having a good time. It feels like early in the day time, it’s a personal thing, that I’m not into it, but everyone who’s there to see us is really into it.

In AP Magazine, almost all of the musicians they interviewed about the tour mentioned being excited to see you. Is that ever odd for you?

I don’t really think about it; I’m here to play music and have fun. It’s not really a status thing to me. I know we’re one of the older bands, a lot older bands on this tour, we’re basically the old men, but it doesn’t matter. We’re all playing music, having fun, and hanging out. I guess it’s cool, but I don’t really pay attention to that! (laughs)

Has anything surprised you on this tour with the original lineup?

Well, I think it’s more fun live. We definitely have a lot more energy than with past members. It’s a big camp, the shows have been fun.

What has been the band’s biggest challenge?

Coming up as a band, we kind of dealt with a lot of bands trying to keep us out of the loop or keep us down. A lot of haters, and we’ve pretty much dealt with that most of our career, so that was the biggest obstacle. Nothing with the music, the music has always been fun to play, and we write good music together. As a band progresses and gets bigger, a lot of other people get jealous, so they try to go out of their way to ruin things for you. I think we’ve past that now. 

What can we expect from Taking Back Sunday within the next couple years?

More music, more records, more touring!

If you were helping a rookie Warped Tour musician out, what five items would you recommend they bring?

Baby wipes, hand sanitizers, a tent, a good chair, and your guitar and drums!