The NYC rock band Takeover is back with a new hit called “Start N’ Stop.” I had the opportunity to chat with the guys about their inspirations and future plans. Let’s dive in!
- From “Wait” to “Start N’ Stop,” how has your songwriting process evolved? What’s changed the most creatively in the past year?
We all slightly hate each other a bit more now, which always brings the best work out of everyone. If you’re afraid of hurting someone’s feelings when you call them a “fucking pinecone” then you’ll never be able to tell them their ideas are stupid and you’ll never hone your group-writing skills. Only once you’ve had a fuzz pedal thrown at your head will you understand one another. It grounds you in a comforting, zen-like, spiritual kinda way.
- “Start N’ Stop” feels like a sonic journey through the highs and lows of early romance. What inspired the lyrics, and is there a personal story behind the song?
Well the guy who wrote it hated the tweaks to the lyrics that our singer Dylan made and he wound up quitting the band over it. The “highs and lows” nonsense is just what Dylan says at shows. I don’t know the original intention of the tune, but what it is now is a rock n roll burst of energy. I never listen to the lyrics when we play it. He could be singing the words to “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” for all I know. Dyl’ just looks cool singing it and we sound tight when we play it. That’s all I care about. Any meaning people get from it is just bonus points for me.
- Some listeners might not immediately hear the Lou Reed influence — what are some more subtle or unexpected influences you channel into your music?
I don’t know, I’m pretty straightforward with my influences, The Beatles, The Kinks, Oasis, The Strokes, Velvet Underground/Lou Reed. In “Start N Stop” I don’t really think there are many hidden influences. It’s just rock n roll. I have written a few newer things that rip off classical music. Most of that is public domain now, can’t get sued by Bach’s estate.
- That chorus is super catchy — how long did it take to craft, and did it come early in the writing process or later on?
I remember that’s one of the bits that Dylan changed from whatever the song originally was. There was also a another potential chorus melody we were kicking around that I said we should overlay onto the last chorus. So now if you listen to the track around the 2:39, our guitarist Young Mark comes in with his backing vocals underneath the main melody. And I think it sounds really fucking mega. Both parts are catchy and intertwine really nicely.
- How do you think “Start N’ Stop” fits into your discography so far? Would you say it’s a natural evolution from your previous work or a fresh direction?
I think it’s a quintessential Takeover song. If not, THE quintessential Takeover song. It’s got great guitar work, it’s rock n roll, it’s unpretentious, it’s unassuming. It just comes in, punches you in the mouth, and then fucks off to the bar.
- The title “Start N’ Stop” reflects emotional push-pull. Was that title always set in stone, or did it evolve from something else?
Nah the title started out as “Sweet Andrew” because our old bassist, Andrew, was the fella who originally wrote it. And when he brought it in for the first time it was a little bit slower and had a “Sweet Jane” feel to it (the Velvet Underground song). So “Sweet Andrew” was the working title for a bit. “Start And Stop” was from an ad-lib that our singer Dylan sang once during practice when he was figuring out the melody. We liked it enough, he kept the rest of the lyric, and that was that.
- Is the song part of a larger upcoming project or album? What can fans expect from your next releases?
We’ve got 4 more singles that we’re trying to release this year. But it’s not part of an EP or an album. We haven’t got the money for that I’m afraid.
- Any dream collaborations or producers you’d love to work with in the future?
Someone famous and successful who’d do it for free.
- Where do you hope Takeover’s sound will go next? Any genres or ideas you’re eager to explore?
We’ve got a couple BIG, cinematic tunes coming out soon. As well as some great rock n roll stuff that’s our bread and butter. I don’t really care about a particular sound. We’re not Bowie, we’re not gonna be reinventing ourselves every album. We’re far too lazy. We like rock n roll. As long as we got a good range of fast and slow, loud and introspective, cinematic and self contained… then we’re fine. And ya GOTTA have those guitars baby.
- Thank you for your time… and KEEP ROCKIN’ 😉
Thank YOU as always
