The Takers officially began in February 2000, born of the ashes of the Daviess County Panthers, their singer Suzette lost to a tragic Valentine's Day suicide. Crushed by the loss, but determined to carry on, the remaining three tried to keep forging ahead as a trio. But something was still missing.
As luck would have it, Mike C. had been casing the Sound Museum rehearsal complex, and, finding an unlocked practice space, happened upon Mike H., Chris and a large Scandinavian named John Paananen playing bass. Thinking quickly, the erstwhile Mike C. told the band he was a singer, and could he sit in for a song. The band launched into a cover of "Loose", immediately transforming Mike C from a smalltime hoodlum to a snarling, gyrating maelstrom. The rest, they say, was history and thus began the Takers. Two shows were played in this line-up, songs were being written faster than Gamble/Huff, and then lightning struck again.
Hoping both to fill an open bass spot for Arab on Radar, and to beat the rap on a paternity suit, John packed up the truck, with wife and infant in tow, and moved to Providence, RI. For the next 2 months, the Takers were lost, looking for the elusive bottom end. Recruitment in the hot cruising spots proved fruitless and the Takers had to resort to the club scene, where, in a weakened, steroid-induced moment, an even larger Scandinavian named Nick decided this was a gig he might just be interested in.
After a summer and fall playing shows and writing songs, the Takers took to Fort Apache 10/00 to record the EP Never Get Out of These Blues Alive. In another small triumph of quantity over quality, the Takers managed to record and mix 5 songs in just two days.
Throughout this period, the Takers started getting a buzz around town, opening for the likes of Pere Ubu, Six Finger Satellite and the Melvins. This buzz was not wasted on the likes of one Dave Gwiazdowski, who offered the Takers a deal with Rubric Records for a sum we're not presently prepared to disclose. After many delays, the aforementioned EP is finally in the can and is expected out 11/6/01. This will be a co-release on Rubric/Op Pop Pop.
Today, the Takers are finishing up the final touches for the Rubric debut EP, and are working on a full lengther, recorded with Mr. Stuart Sikes at Easley/McCain Studios in Memphis.
Contemporary Blues
| Blues
| Styles
| Music
Fun House?.......2002-03-05
Tammyfayebaykerzzz.......2001-11-28
