Popular rock band’s drummer has refused to play after 26 years; ‘wasn’t entirely my own’ decision

A longtime drummer for a popular rock band is out after 24 years.

Mark O’Connell announced Tuesday that he’s leaving Taking Back Sunday. He thanked the fans for being the “heartbeat of TBS, and a huge part of my life for nearly a quarter century,” before revealing that he didn’t feel supported by his own bandmates.

“My departure wasn’t an easy decision, and it wasn’t entirely my own,” @markoconnelltbs wrote on Instagram. “Over the past few years, l’ve focused on my family and personal growth, including committing to my sobriety. Unfortunately, during this time, I didn’t always feel the support I needed from those I thought of as brothers, and creative differences made it hard to move forward together

Taking Back Sunday formed in Long Island, N.Y., in 1999, and was a big part of the emo, pop-punk and alternative rock scene in the early 2000s with hits like “Cute Without the E (Cut From the Team),” “MakeDamnSure” and “You’re So Last Summer.” The group has seen several lineup changes over the years, including the departure of Jesse Lacy in 2000 to form Brand New, founding drummer Steven DeJoseph’s exit a year later, singer Adam Lazzara replacing founding vocalist Antonio Longo in 2001, and founding guitarist Eddie Reyes leaving in 2018.

O’Connell and Lazzara were both on TBS’ debut album, “Tell All Your Friends,” in 2002, and had been with the band since. The current lineup still includes Lazzara and original guitarist John Nolan, who had left from 2003 to 2010 for another project, Straylight Run.