Chatting with Shaun Cooper of Taking Back Sunday & Quinn Allman of The Used Before They Head to Detroit!

There are some bands that you hear once and you're hooked. For me, that band was Taking Back Sunday. I first heard them at CBGB's in New York about 12 years ago when they opened for Grade. It was just before they released Tell All Your Friends on Victory Records. I picked up their 5 song demo and it was quite some time before it left my CD player. Since then, this band has grown immensely in popularity with major record deals and sold out concerts around the world. I have every album and have seen them live countless times. You can probably say I'm a super fan. So you can bet your ass that I'll be at their show this Sunday, April 6th at The Fillmore!

Taking Back Sunday will be heading to town on a co-headlining tour with The Used, another band that has tons of fans that have remained loyal over the years. The success of both of these bands has lasted for over a decade, which is quite the feat now-a-days. And, neither band seems to be going away anytime soon! Both just released new full length albums. Taking Back Sunday's Happiness Is is out now and The Used's album Imaginary Enemy is set to be released on April 1st, but you can preview it online here.

The co-headlining tour kicked off a couple of weeks ago and has been selling out shows across the country. That goes for the Detroit show too, so we know we're not the only ones that are super excited about seeing these bands! If you weren't lucky enough to get tickets, earlier in the day Taking Back Sunday fans can head over to Fishbones for a FREE acoustic performance thanks to 89X. This show is all ages, but it is first come first serve. So, even though it starts at 5 p.m., you'll probably want to get there way earlier to get in the door. You can get more info on that event here.

Since we're so stoked about this show, we decided why not talk to the guys in the bands. So, we had the honor to chat via email with Shaun Cooper of Taking Back Sunday and Quinn Allman of The Used. Check out what they had to say.

INTERVIEW WITH SHAUN COOPER, BASSIST - 

TAKING BACK SUNDAY

Photo Credit: Natalie Escobedo

HID- It has been a couple of years since the Tell All Your Friends lineup reunited. How is it being in a band together again?
Shaun- "Like the great Garth Algar stated, 'It's like a new pair of underwear, ya know? At first it's constrictive but after a while it becomes a part of you.'"

HID- You guys did some recording for your new album Happiness Is in Fenton, MI. Why did you record there? What did you do on your free time while you were in Fenton?
Shaun- "That is where Marc Hudson's studio Rancho Recordo is located. We didn't have much free time but we did get a few workouts in, in the backyard. Eddie managed to watch 22 episodes of The Mindy Project over the course of 2 days. That was pretty cool."

HID- You've already released two music videos for songs off the new album. Who did you work with on these and did you really shoot and complete them as quickly as it seems?
Shaun- "Djay Brawner directed "Flicker, Fade" Evan Brace directed "Stood a Chance". These videos were shot probably quicker than you could imagine."

HID- You guys really tour a lot. There are breaks here and there, but you've been pretty consistent over the years. How is tour different now that you have families of your own compared to when you were starting out?

Shaun- "Leaving home is definitely a lot harder now. We are a lot more relaxed than we used to be. We also enjoy eachother’s company more than ever. The band and our crew are definitely our second families."

HID- Are you excited to hit the road with your friends in The Used?

Shaun- "You betcha!"

HID- You guys have played a ton of different venues in Detroit, The Shelter, The Magic Stick, St. Andrew’s Hall and The Fillmore, just to name a few. Do you have a favorite?

Shaun- "The Shelter always has a special place in my heart as I believe it was the first place we ever played in Detroit. The Fillmore is definitely the most comfortable and best sounding venue in Detroit."

HID- Anywhere you're looking forward to making a stop at while in Detroit?

Shaun- "We usually don't have much time to do any sightseeing. I'm just excited for the show. Detroit crowds are really second to none."

HID- What bands have you been listening to a lot lately?

Shaun- "Against Me! "Transgender Dysphoria Blues", The Lawrence Arms "Metropole", and I know I'm late to the party, but I just got into the Bon Iver self-titled record.

HID- When you released Tell All Your Friends back in 2002, did you think Taking Back Sunday would still be at it over 10 years later?

Shaun- "Absolutely not. That record came out in March of 2002. I figured we'd be able to score a few tours to keep us busy through that summer then in the fall I'd go back to school. 12 years later we have our 6th album coming out. Most days I have to pinch myself to make sure this isn't a dream. If it is, I don't want to wake up. I can't believe my life went exactly as I had planned it when I was 6 or 7 years old."

HID- Any advice to other bands on how to stick it out as long as you have?

Shaun- "Persistence pays."

HID- What’s next for Taking Back Sunday?

Shaun- "Lots more touring, hopefully many more records. I never want this to end."

INTERVIEW WITH QUINN ALLMAN, GUITAR & VOCALS - 

THE USED

Photo Credit: Kane Hibberd 

HID- You recently released a music video for the track “Cry” off your new album Imaginary Enemy. Where was it shot at? Can you explain the concept behind it?
Quinn- "We shot the video in LA... surprise I know. But we wanted to profile a post apocalyptic world where truth and love are seen to flourish after the fact."

HID- It seems like you guys have been touring non stop over the last couple of years. What is it like being on the road so much?
Quinn- "It’s beyond words. It’s amazing and inspiring, it's challenging and sometimes difficult to leave your family and life at home. After this long, it’s both easy and harder than ever."

HID- Do you have a favorite city to play in?
Quinn- "Personally I think Australia is my favorite place to play. Sydney. Good people down there."

HID- Why did Ryan Logan get to come on stage and scream with Bert the last time you were in town? What’s the story there?
Quinn- "Ryan is a long time good friend of ours."

HID- Are you excited to hit the road with your friends in Taking Back Sunday?
Quinn- "Yes. These guys are some of the most down to earth, humble, and talented people we’ve ever toured with. Great guys."

HID- The Used has a pretty loyal fan base. Are there any crazy fan stories that stick out in your head? Or maybe a favorite tattoo in homage to the band?
Quinn- "Our fans are incredible! Every single one of them. We’ve seen fans overcome suicide, depression, drugs, abuse… inspiring them to follow their dreams. The amount of love for that is endless."

HID- What bands have you guys been listening to a lot lately?
Quinn- "Tame Impala, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, all the classics."

HID- Any advice to other bands on how to stick it out as long as you guys have?
Quinn- "There’s a clear distinction between “music” and “music business”. To have success in music is to learn and love and appreciate the whole process. It’s not about money, it’s about making music, playing, recording and the fun that comes along with it. Treat your fans good, be a good listener and the match is lit. Whether it starts a forest fire is out of your hands."


Taking Back Sunday and The Used will be playing with Tonight Alive and Sleepwave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. on the 6th and all ages are welcome. The Fillmore is located at 2115 Woodward Ave. in Detroit.

~C