I noticed this on Deadspin and figured I’d weigh in with some personal insight:
The drummer in question is named Mark. We went to middle and high school together. In middle school we were among the very few students who precociously liked punk and ska, so we spent a lot of time fantasizing about starting bands together and less time actually jamming together.
Anyway, I have no idea why I feel the need to come to the guy’s defense from public mockery on Deadspin because I’m certain he can handle it. Plus he’s a rock star now, so I doubt he even cares. And though we were always friendly and are certainly cordial when we run into each other, it’s not like we’re close.
But I figured I’d chime in because Mark is, to this day, about the nicest guy you’ll ever meet, plus about as dedicated to punk and rock and metal as anyone I’ve ever met. If you catch Taking Back Sunday playing on MTV2, check out the drummer and you’ll notice he’s probably wearing a shirt of Hatebreed or Slayer or some band like that.
I don’t know anyone more deserving of rock stardom. And I spent plenty of time trying to be a rock star myself, so that’s high praise.
Tedquarters 
I read that same article, and I can’t think of a douchier piece. Should have been entitled “if you didn’t already think merch guys felt inadequate and resentful…”
Guy couldn’t have been nicer. Merch guy couldn’t have come off as any more useless.
I went to TBS at Irving Plaza a month back and had a great time. Good mix of nostalgia, bourbon, and a well played set.
Terrible merch guy. If you want to laugh at some merch guy stories, check out xtrackerx at http://www.polarblogclub.com/.
8th grade, Tell all Your Friends, played through entirely and repeated everyday. No shame.
I think the story is just terrible.
“but of all the times I’ve thought of something clever/funny to say AFTER a conversation, this was one of the rare times that I actually put a clever/funny thought to good use.”
Again, that thought is “Then how come you guys suck so much?” That is some “clever/funny” stuff.
If someone told me that Tom Waits’ performance in the Book of Eli inspired them and I responded with “You were inspired by Tom Waits’ in the Book of Eli, then how come you suck so much,” I wouldn’t proudly think to myself “good show old boy, what a witty retort.” I would think “wow, what an obvious, a****** remark I just made.”
Yeah, it’s just not really clever at all. Also, you’d think if you had an open mind and weren’t yourself a jackass, you’d think, oh, hey, that’s cool — this drummer from Taking Back Sunday and I have similar tastes. Maybe I should I take a second listen to that band and consider the ways in which this music I like has, indeed, influenced his drumming, instead of being like, “BUT YOU SUCK BECAUSE MY FRIENDS IN MY SCENE SAY YOU DO!”
Ska kicks ass. I think I have a mancrush on you, Ted. Why couldn’t we both be gay?
You’re only human.
…and secondofly, I know you’re the big morality expert, oh, I’m sorry, I forgot your son is dead.
I’m sorry, that was 100% inappropriate and I do apologize profusely. I do apologize profusely, I’m – oh.
(but seriously, Tony Dungy, shove it)
this was supposed to go into the Dungy post. Damn it.
That story is really douche-y, and I’m certain that this drummer dude is totally cool and that he has great taste in music. But Taking Back Sunday sucks, and that’s not a “scene” thing. They are just god-awful. Plenty of cool people with good taste in music are in awful bands, and this guy is one of them. Just sayin’.