Earlier this year, a Long Island studio became the birthplace of a new creative venture built on mutual respect and a shared passion for rock n’ roll. The group, known as ME, features drummer Mark O’Connell and guitarist Eddie Reyes—both former members of the iconic band Taking Back Sunday. They are joined by vocalist Mike Jansen and bassist Neal Amiruddin to round out a lineup that feels both fresh and deeply rooted in history.
The band’s debut album, All Good Things, arrived on July 24th, following a string of singles released throughout the spring and early summer, including “Special,” “Grown Man,” and “Sun Poison.” In a recent conversation, the band members reflected on the journey that led to this new chapter and their heartfelt approach to songwriting.
A New Creative Chapter
For O’Connell and Reyes, the formation of ME was about more than just starting a new project; it was about reclaiming a creative space they felt was missing. O’Connell describes the album as a reflection of both pain and beauty, noting that the process allowed them to reconnect as brothers and artists. “This album is Eddie and I coming together and fulfilling a creative hole that we had not been capable of when we were in Taking Back Sunday together,” O’Connell explains. “It sums up a lot of pain, a lot of beauty. You’ve got to let it go sometimes, and you’ve got to move forward.”
The addition of Mike Jansen and Neal Amiruddin provided the perfect balance for the duo. Jansen, who initially joined as a guest vocalist, found that his style complemented the instrumentals perfectly. “Originally, it was just a project for Mark and Eddie to write and get back to what they remember liking about music,” Jansen says. “I’m lucky enough to be a part of it by adding something that doesn’t fight the instrumentals that they were working with; it complements it.”
This album is beautiful. It sums up a lot of pain, a lot of beauty. You’ve got to let it go sometimes, and you’ve got to move forward. I feel like the best man in the world right now because of it.
The Making of ‘All Good Things’
The decision to record a full album was organic, born from a few days of jamming in a Long Island basement. After laying down the first two tracks, the band realized they had captured something special. This momentum carried them to Applehead studio, where they worked with producer Chris Bittner to flesh out the rest of the record. The result is a collection of songs that O’Connell describes as having “first album energy,” despite the seasoned experience of the members.
The single “Special” serves as a centerpiece for the album’s emotional narrative. Jansen notes that the song was a product of self-reflection during a period of significant personal change. “When something bad happens to you, it’s easy to point at everybody around you,” he says. “It becomes a part of the story of the record, of reflection and figuring out why things happen to you without it specifically being someone else’s fault.”
As the band looks toward the future, they remain focused on the fundamentals of rock music. With a live show scheduled at Amityville Music Hall, the members of ME are eager to share their new sound with the world. “Rock is a real thing, and it felt like it was dying for a while, but I really believe that this album will make people more aware of rock again,” O’Connell concludes.
Stream All Good Things here: