EMQ’s With Take It Or Leave It

EMQ’s With Take It Or Leave It

Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with USA Punk Rockers, Take It or Leave It. Huge thanks to their Guitarist, Mario, for taking part. 

What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?

Hey, what’s going on, Mario here, guitarist in Take It Or Leave It. We’ve been jamming together since 2021, when our original drummer introduced me to Craig, our bassist and vocalist. After our first show, we realized we needed a change, and that’s when I reached out to Devon. He and I went to school together and had played in a band over a decade ago, so the chemistry was already there. Once he joined, things clicked. Since then, we’ve played a ton of shows, released an EP in the fall of 2024, and we’ve got a lot more on deck.

How did you come up with your band name?

It came from how indecisive we were about names. We’d throw one out, and everyone would respond with “Eh, I could take it or leave it.” After hearing that enough times, we knew we had the name. It captured the vibe. We leave it all on the table at every show. If you’re into it, great. If not, that’s fine too. But we’re not stopping.

What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?

We’re based in Rockland County, New York, just outside the city. But we’re close enough to North Jersey that we’re part of that scene too. The post-COVID landscape threw everything for a loop, but honestly, we’re lucky. Our scene is rebuilding and is still stronger than what a lot of cities have. But I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t still progress to be made. Fewer people have been attending shows throughout the years, meaning we have to work extra hard to make each one special.

What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)

Our debut EP, “Tunnel Vision”, dropped in November 2024. It’s five originals and a punked-up cover of “Hey Jealousy” that we close with. We recorded the whole thing ourselves in Craig’s basement with my gear and had it mixed and mastered by Anthony Bilancia at Small Room Studio. These songs evolved through shows, rehearsals, and feedback, so it’s very much a live-band record that happens to be recorded. Anthony just polished us up and made us presentable.

Who have been your greatest influences?

For me, it’s always been Blink-182, especially Mark Hoppus. I learned how to sing and play an instrument at the same time because of him. Their energy, their humor, the way they command a stage, all of that stuck with me. The Mark, Tom & Travis Show made me realize that punk rock could be tight, fun, emotional, and chaotic all at once. They’re the reason I’m doing this today.

What first got you into music?

I played percussion in the school orchestra and concert band, so technically I was already a musician. But Guitar Hero and Rock Band changed the game. Those games made music feel accessible, like you could learn songs and actually play them. That turned a hobby into something real.

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?

If it’s a dream list, Green Day. They’re legendary for a reason and still relevant decades later. I know Craig has mentioned them a few times for their impact on the scene. Devon would probably push for Queens of the Stone Age, which would be wild. As for me, I’ve always thought it would be cool to work with a pop artist like Lady Gaga or Halsey. They both have that edge, and I think they’d kill it in a pop punk collab. 

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

Warped Tour is the dream. If it ever comes back in full, we’d be first in line. But we’d love to hit Riot Fest (Chicago), Punk in the Park (San Diego), or maybe even Slam Dunk over in the UK. The energy of a traveling punk festival is exactly where we’d thrive.

What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?

This wasn’t technically from a fan, but while we were in Buffalo for a show, we ended up in a hotel full of hockey teams. One of the dads, definitely a few drinks deep, offered us a gallon jug of what he called “Tom’s Don’t Drink” (or something like that). It was labeled in Sharpie and claimed to be apple cider. It was very much not. It was just pure liquor with a splash of apple juice and cinnamon. I don’t know why we all took a swig, but hey, that’s tour life sometimes.

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

Keep going. Whatever you’re doing, keep pushing. Low likes? Post again. No streams? Write another. Everyone hits walls. We have too. But consistency is everything. Just don’t stop.

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

Freddie Mercury. No question. The man was a force. Queen sold out stadiums across the world and created songs that still resonate with every generation. ‘Don’t Stop Me Now,’ ‘Somebody to Love,’ ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’ Those are masterpieces, and that’s just scratching the surface. He was electric live and brought a level of theatrics that most frontmen only dream of.

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

Playing. Just playing music with my band, whether it’s a packed show or a sweaty rehearsal. That’s the joy. What I hate is the politics. Having to network constantly, butter up promoters, and act like a politician just to get decent time slots at a gig. I can do it, but I’d rather just play music.

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

The money. It’s always about the money. Streaming pays nothing unless you’re huge. Getting shows sometimes feels like a business negotiation more than a creative endeavor. And too many non-musicians are in charge of the decisions. I just wish the system were a little more fair to the artists creating the thing everyone is making money off of.

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

“The Mark, Tom & Travis Show” by Blink-182. It’s fast, raw, and hilarious. They played all the songs tighter and faster than the studio versions, and it made me realize that live shows can elevate already great songs.

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?

Vinyl, no question. It looks cool, it sounds great, and it feels like you’re holding a piece of music history. Downloads are a close second for convenience. CDs still live in my Subaru, but vinyl wins.

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

Buffalo. The trip, the show, the crowd, the chaos. People were pulling chairs to stand on from the dining area just to get a better view of us tearing it up. We felt like we belonged there, even as outsiders. That one stuck with me.

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

I work full-time as a video editor already, but if I weren’t playing music, I’d still try to be part of the scene. Maybe editing music videos or working at a recording studio. I also have experience running sound, so being on a touring crew would be cool too.

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

Tony Hawk, Mark Hoppus, Barack Obama, Lady Gaga, and Joe Burrow. That’s a weird table, but I think the conversations would be legendary. I’d just sit back and take it all in.

What’s next for the band?

We’re tracking our next single, ‘Therapy,’ which you can already catch live on YouTube from Montclair’s Porchfest. The studio version drops later this year. We’ve also got a second release in the works. But before we bunker down to record, we’ve got a handful of summer shows coming up, so don’t miss those. Come grab a shirt, snag some stickers, and experience pasta rock for yourself.

What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?

It’s all on our Linktree. That’s the best place to choose your own adventure. Find your favorite social platform, pick your streaming app, and dive in. https://linktr.ee/music.takeitorleaveit

SOCIALS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeitorleaveit_band
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/takeitorleaveitband
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TakeItOrLeaveIt_band
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tioli-band.bsky.social
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeitorleaveit_band
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/takeitorleaveit_band

MUSIC
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/takeitorleaveit-872042877
BandCamp: https://takeitorleaveitband.bandcamp.com/album/tunnel-vision
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5S60w9S5bvsF4qM00hjf6V?si=JBUdwxl-RAOxAYjsp_maxw
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/take-it-or-leave-it/1777896776
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B017WY07QI/take-it-or-leave-it

Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll, or a Tea Cake?

My wife’s family is from Buncrana in Donegal, and she says they definitely use the word Bap. I was there last summer and didn’t hear any of the other suggestions here. But we’re Americans, so to us it’s just a roll or a piece of bread at best. Let’s be real though, I’m really waiting for them to bring out the scones.

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Just want to say thank you to everyone who’s supported us. Whether you’re streaming the EP, showing up to shows, buying merch, or just sending us a kind message, it means everything. And if you can’t make it to a gig, check out our livestreams on YouTube. We try to make this band accessible no matter where you are.