Backstage Pass

Guitarist/singer Fred Mascherino confirmed last night that he has left Taking Back Sunday to pursue his solo project The Color Fred. On his mySpace blog, Mascherino said the decision "had been waiting for some time," and that it was "a hard day for a lot of us." His new album "Bend to Break," a bit more pop oriented than the Taking Back Sunday sound, is due out Oct. 30 on Equal Vision Records.

In a statement on its mySpace blog, Taking Back Sunday said they wish him well and will continue work on its new album. "No drama, just riffs," the band wrote.

Mascherino joined the band in 2003, along with bassist Matt Rubano, after guitarist/singer John Nolan and bassist Shaun Cooper left, amid a bit of personal turmoil, to form Straylight Run.

PHOTO: Mascherino (showing off his snazzy "Synchronicity" satin jacket), with Rubano and singer Adam Lazzara at Live Earth in July.