Taking Back Sunday rocks Tom, Dick and Harry's

Faux-hawks flying, fists pumping and emo-kids in skinny jeans filled the energetic crowd at Tom, Dick and Harry's Oct. 30 as Anberlin and Taking Back Sunday dominated the stage. Led by Stephen Christian on vocals, Anberlin took the stage first. Its intense energy and focus on the fans got the crowd pumped to an extreme level. Christian's sultry voice and meaningful lyrics brought fans to another place. The dance floor started to fill as Anberlin played. Along with Christian, the band includes Joeseph Milligan and Christian McAlhaney on guitar, Deon Rexroat on bass and Nathan Young produced the rhythm on drums. Six years ago, Anberlin got its start playing alongside bands such as Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance. In the alternative music scene, Anberlin isn't a band to be messed with. With its non-cliché songs and their favorable energy on stage, the band got a good crowd reaction at Friday's performance. By talking with fans between songs and trying to relate to them about, Anberlin showed the audience it isn't just glitz and glamour. They were there to rock. After Anberlin's performance, it was headliner Taking Back Sunday's turn to impress. Led by lead singer Adam Lazzara, the band continued the energy and intensity started by Anberlin. One-by-one Lazzara introduced band members Matt Fazzi on guitar and vocals, Eddie Reyes on guitar, Mark O'Connell on drums and Matt Rubano on bass and vocals. The band formed in 1999, then reinvented itself in 2003 when guitarist/vocalist John Nolan and bassist Shaun Cooper left the band to form Straylight Run. Taking Back Sunday graced people with its presence at venues including Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Vans Warped Tour. Taking Back Sunday brought the energy at Tom, Dick and Harry's up a notch attracting more fans than their opener. The dance floor filled almost all the way to the back as the band started playing. Fans were jumping up and down and clapping to the beat. More than a few fans mouthed every word to their favorite songs. Girls all over the dance floor were drooling and losing their breath as Lazzara spoke. Brushing long hair from his eyes, Lazzara spoke to the crowd. He got down so he was face-to-face with fans in the front row and tried to connect himself with the crowd in every way possible. Lazzara even spoke of the upcoming football game with respect to the Green Bay Packers and the team's loyal fans. Before the show, Lazzara was near the merchandise table taking requests for songs from fans and peddling the bands' t-shirts. He didn't have to push too hard as the band received screams of applause from after the show. "There is no question that Taking Back Sunday makes good music," said Tiffany Earley, Pound, Wis. "Adam Lazzara is sensational in his music videos, and he delivered that same enthusiasm tonight." As the band heard the cheers and the chanting of its name, they reappeared on stage for an encore. Also, band members talked to the crowd as if they knew everyone in the club personally. The band urged fans to put down their cell phones and cameras and enjoy what they paid for on a bigger screen. "It was an amazing show," said Justine Gruszczynski, Crivitz, Wis. "I would definitely pay to see them again." For fans who attended the Anberlin and Taking Back Sunday show, there was no disappointment. Both bands were energetic and personable. Both bands commented on how great the city of Green Bay is, and how they hope to visit again in the very near future.