I've Got A Bad Feeling About This

Dear Fred Mascherino,

I did not come to know the band “Taking Back Sunday” that you were a part of. It was a unique and creative band on the cutting edge of a new era of music. The newest wave of Punk Rock was dying away and a more sensitive and emotional brand of post anger and rebellion was giving way to a new fad. It was called "Emo". This was not the first time in history this had happened though. It actually happened before; right after “Punk Rock” was invented. However this new brand that TBS was partly responsible for was a little bit better; what with newer technology and what not. At the time that I came to know them, they had a guitarist/backup vocalist that was not you. I began to like them very much. I would even have called myself a fan. Then something changed. I believe that someone in the band had a feud with someone in a different band (Brand New), over a girlfriend and fidelity issues. I’m not quite sure if it was this other guitarist that was involved, but I do know that he eventually ceased to be a part of the band and the issue inspired some really great songs from both bands. Somewhere shortly after is where you came in. I wasn’t aware of the switch at first, just of a new album put out by the band. It was still Taking Back Sunday, but also different. I was resistant to liking it for quite a while and that was an error on my part. I liked the band how it was so I viewed change as bad and something not to like. I noticed through various glimpses of the band, whether it was in music videos that were undeniably artistic or just in ads for the new album, that the group had obtained a fairly odd new member. First of all he had to be much older than the rest of the band. And second of all… who’s that dude! As much as I did not approve of the doings of this other guitarist (if it was him), lineup changes are always iffy to me. However, I am writing this to admit that I was wrong. Wrong indeed. I should have trusted the band that I had come to love to choose a replacement that they believed in. The new record began to grow on me against my will. Every snippet of a song I heard would catch my ear. A drum beat would get stuck in my head; or I would find myself humming along to the vocal lines. I gave the record a second chance and it blew me away. I realized how much more creative, and intricate it was compared to earlier work. The band had matured, at least musically, a great deal. Then I come to find out that you had a lot to do with this. By the time the next album is released I am fully adjusted to the new lineup and the dynamic created with this new guitarist/vocalist/songwriter. I fall instantly in love with the new record. After a while I was already anticipating the next album. Then boom! You’re gone. I finally appreciate the way you compliment this band and you have to leave. Seriously! You are a great guitarist and an excellent song writer. As much as I love Adam’s antics, I think the image of you being that solid rock to anchor the band is what made it. Everybody likes to relate to a band, and everybody needs that solid friend you can depend on. I’m sure that your solo stuff will be good, but it’s that resistance to change that leaves me doubting that either band will be quite as good. I suppose there was enough talent to be divided and still have enough to go around. But that’s just me hoping. Best of wishes to the fam.

Sincerely,

Me