Adam Lazzara grew up in High Point, North Carolina, before moving to Long Island, New York. He has a younger brother, Nathan Lazzara, who is also a musician. His first band was called Nine Lives Left, and then, upon their breakup, he formed Dumfounded, an influential local punk band. After the breakup of Dumfounded he was in a band called Transit. In 1999, Adam joined Taking Back Sunday, originally on bass and then later replacing original lead singer Antonio Longo who sang on their first EP.

In the spring of 2006, Adam met Chauntelle Dupree, guitarist of the band Eisley, while on tour. They started dating in fall 2006 and became engaged on February 14, 2007. They were to be married in March 2008, but it was announced by Chauntelle’s father in January 2008 that the wedding had been called off and that Chauntelle and Adam had split up. Adam has since married his wife Misha, and they have had a son named Keaton Ari Danger.