Unfiltered and Unapologetic: Take It Or Leave It, put their brand of punk rock in the spotlight

Meet Take It Or Leave It, a four-piece punk rock band from Rockland County, NY. The band started after Mario, Zach, and Devon reconnected post-GameStop days. They’d all played in other projects but wanted to build something new. Mario got introduced to Craig, and once the four of them jammed together, and it just clicked. They all grew up around music and video games, and somehow landed in the same scene with the same goal: They write honest songs and give every crowd a show worth remembering.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW ALBUM OR SINGLE

Our debut EP, Tunnel Vision, dropped in November and got an amazing reception. It’s got five original tracks and a punked-up version of Hey Jealousy. The opening track, Run, will have its own music video dropping at the end of May. Later this year, we’re releasing our next single Therapy, which we’ve already been test driving at live shows.

WHICH SONG WOULD YOU SAY SUMS UP YOUR SOUND THE BEST?

Run is the best introduction to what we do. It opens the EP with a punch: a catchy riff, big chorus, heavy breakdown, and group vocals. It captures that chaotic balance of melody and aggression that defines our sound and our energy as a band.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO MUSIC?

Some of us grew up playing in school orchestras or with instruments our parents pushed us toward, but video games like Guitar Hero, Rock Band, and the Tony Hawk soundtracks really locked it in. That’s where we first heard a lot of the punk we still love today. Pair that with older siblings and neighbours introducing us to ska, pop punk, and rock, and it was game over. We were hooked.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WRITING AND RECORDING DAY LOOK LIKE?

Writing is usually a mix of chaos and collaboration. Craig tends to kick back with a notebook while Mario, Zach, and Devon start jamming on riffs or drum grooves. We like to write as a group, but we work best when someone brings a starting point for the rest of us to build on. Recording is a mix of high energy and downtime. One person is grinding out takes while the others are playing Magic: The Gathering or something on the Switch. That balance keeps things moving without burning out.

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR BAND NAME/ STAGE NAME?

The name was something Mario kept saying when we’d throw out band names. “I could take it or leave it.” Eventually, it stuck, because it matched the attitude: unfiltered, unapologetic, and 100% us. Our fans also call us Pasta Rockers because “TIOLI” kinda sounds like “ravioli,” and we’ve leaned into that completely. Pasta Rock isn’t just a joke anymore. It’s a vibe.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE HARDEST THING ABOUT YOUR MUSIC JOURNEY SO FAR?3

Booking shows has been a challenge, especially when trying to branch out and avoid playing the same venues over and over. We’re constantly looking to reach new places and new faces, and that takes a lot of effort behind the scenes. Writing original music is tough too. We put pressure on ourselves to make sure every song hits the way we want it to. Nothing leaves the room unless we believe in it.

WHAT'S BEEN THE EASIEST?

Performing. We all love it. Once we step on stage, something just clicks. It’s like the four of us speak the same language up there, and everything syncs without saying a word. The nerves and stress disappear. It’s pure energy, and we never get tired of chasing that feeling. No matter how rough the day’s been or how far we had to travel, the second the first note hits, it’s all worth it.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WEREN'T MAKING MUSIC?

We work full-time jobs outside the band, so we’re already balancing music with other parts of life. But even if we weren’t making music, we’d still be creating. We'd probably be diving into things like customizing cars, designing tabletop games, editing videos, streaming, or doing something hands-on like woodworking or set design. At the end of the day, creativity is wired into us. We’d still be looking for ways to build something that connects with people.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?

Just do it. Seriously. Even if it feels dumb. Some of our best moments on stage started as an accident or an idea we weren’t sure would land. You never know until you try, and fear is always louder before the first attempt. Just go for it and figure it out along the way.

WHAT'S NEXT?

We’ve got a busy summer ahead with shows across NY and NJ. Our music video for Run drops in May, and we’ll be recording and filming Therapy later this year. We’re also locking in our end-of-year show schedule and prepping our next EP, which we’re aiming to release this winter. Plus, we’ve got new merch and a summer livestream planned for fans who can’t make it out in person.

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LINK TREE https://linktr.ee/music.takeitorleaveit