Taking Back Sunday Drummer Leaves Tour

Taking Back Sunday deeply regret that drummer Mark O’Connell is leaving the band’s current tour after suffering a herniated disc.

After undergoing an MRI, O’Connell has been advised to return home for treatment until further notice.

Taking Back Sunday are currently on the Projekt Revolution Tour with Warner Bros. Records label-mates Linkin Park and HIM and Reprise Records’ My Chemical Romance. The band’s friend, Aaron Stern — formerly of Matchbook Romance and current drummer for God or Julie who has toured with Taking Back Sunday in the past — will fill in for O’Connell beginning today in San Antonio, TX.

“I’m really sorry. I feel like I’m letting people down,” O’Connell says. “I’m hoping to feel better and be back as soon as possible.”

Well wishes for O’Connell can be posted on Taking Back Sunday’s MySpace page: www.myspace/takingbacksunday.

The Projekt Revolution tour runs through September 3rd. Please visit www.takingbacksunday.com for details.