Taker’s new LP ‘Sons and Daughters’ a Powerful and Affirming Punk Gem

There’s that moment so many of us have experienced in our own individual discovery of punk rock, that moment in which you realized exultantly that you’ve found your place, that moment you believed you were saved.

After all, the power of punk is transcendent. It propels you to rise above and push through. It is a world without pretense, built upon the foundations of truth, passion and community. Yes, it’s the music that grabs you. But it’s the spirit that holds you captive.

In listening to ‘Sons and Daughters’ — the excellent new album by Buffalo punk-Oi! band, Taker — it took us only seconds into the first track, ‘Reach Out’, before we felt as if we were reliving that moment, that that spirit with which we were first consumed had been reawakened, that we were being handed the power to push through during a time in which, for so many, seems impossible.

There’s something so simple about this LP, yet so profound and affirming. It is stripped down, yet anthemic. It is melodic, yet it’s urgent. It is a clarion call for community. And given the shit show that has engulfed America so far this year, ‘Sons and Daughters’ just may be the perfect album for the time in which we now find ourselves. (Deservedly, too, ‘Sons and Daughters’ is being heard and embraced, with the LP’s first U.S. pressing having sold out in less than 24 hours. A second pressing is now in the works.)

“This album is for our friends, so it's been great to see it connect with people,” said Taker’s bassist Chelsea Montrois. “Seeing people sing all the words at our release show was pretty heartwarming. Overall, we're flattered by the positive response we've gotten so far and are grateful to Contra Records doing a European release.”

As for the album’s title, ‘Sons and Daughters,’ vocalist Eric Ellman said the name, “is just a quick touchstone reminder to always have empathy for your fellow human. What if these were our sons and daughters? What if I were the son or daughter of this person? You shouldn’t need to have a personal connection in order to relate, but sometimes thinking of it that way can get us to common ground a lot quicker.”

An amalgamation of members from bands that include Violent Way, Corvo, Healer, They Live, and Big Dog, Taker is also comprised of Drew Stark, Bill Cole and Blake Ellman.

While, to be sure, there are echoes on ‘Sons and Daughters’ reminiscent of The Ramones to whom the band has been likened, running with that comparison too far would be a grave disservice to Taker’s skilled musicianship, not to mention the fact there is far more edge, fury and intent in its songs.

While there are no moments of weakness on this 11-track record, there are some cool surprises, including an exceptional cover of the Guided By Voices song ‘Game of Pricks,’ and a collaboration with Canadian Oi! artist Jenny Woo on the ferocious and snarling single, ‘Boots.’

“Jenny Woo is a friend, an inspiration, and a hell of a singer,” said Eric. “We asked her to rip a song with us and she obliged happily.”

While thrilled with the response to the album’s release, Chelsea noted it’s also been bittersweet for the band in holding the LP in physical form.

“Our unforgettable friend, Scott Sonner, who passed away last year, hand painted the album art. His signature style on the cover is as important to the release as the music itself and we're proud to share a bit of his wild spirit every time someone streams the songs or pulls the record out of the sleeve.”

(Follow Taker HERE to keep up with what’s happening with the band, and follow the group too on its Insta page.)