Interviews: Taken

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the Melodic Hardcore band Taken, from USA. Check out this band and give them a like on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

It actually was derived from the back of one of our favorite bands, Undertow. It was a song title of theirs and we just liked how simple it sounded. 

2.Why did you want to play this genre? 

We loved the aggression of it, plain and simple we wanted to sound like some of our favorite bands like Unbroken, Snapcase and Shai Hulud. Then, over time we were able to craft our own little corner of the hardcore/melodic hardcore world. 

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

Two of the members (Nick, Troy) I went to high school with and the other members met later on in high school, but went to different schools. 

4. Each band member favourite band?

Troy - Metallica

Chad - Shai Hulud

Erik - Envy

Nick - Cave In

Ray - Propagandhi

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

In a general sense, life. We write about the feelings you get when you are disappointed and the joy you feel when something goes right. For this new EP it was all about my wife’s experience with her battle with cancer and how I reacted to it. 

6. Where was your last gig? 

Chain Reaction in Anaheim, CA for our EP release show. Before that it was a tour in Canada with our friends in Counterparts. 

7. Where would you like to act? 

I am guessing you mean where would we like to play? We have plans to go back to Japan and the east coast as well as other spots around the country. 

8. Whom would you like to feature with? 

One of our favorite bands right now is Pianos Become the Teeth and we love them dearly. 

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that? 

Through repetition, you will be able to push yourself past it. The earlier you start to get up on stage the better. 

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

The list can go on for days, but some of our friends bands like This Day Forward, Curl Up and Die, Alexisonfire as well as numerous other bands we shared the stage with. 

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

A signature on a body part. I won’t tell you what body part. 

13. What do you think of your fans?

They are awful for liking us, JUST KIDDING. The fact that people still care about Taken after being broken up for close to 15 years is very humbling and it’s only because people identify with the music and the passion we feel that we can be lucky enough to have any platform to stand on.