TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT – interview

Introduce your band, and describe your latest release:
We’re Take It Or Leave It, a punk band from Rockland County, New York. We blend the raw edge of punk with catchy hooks, honest lyrics, and a high-energy live show that never phones it in. Every set we play is different. It’s all about connecting with the crowd and making each show matter. We call it Pasta Rock, because TIOLI sounds like ravioli, and now it’s a whole vibe. Our debut EP Tunnel Vision dropped in November 2024 and features five original tracks and one cover that flips a 90s classic on its head. It’s a solid intro to who we are and what we’re about.

What’s the hardest part about being a band in this day and age?
It’s the balancing act. We’ve got partners, families, and jobs like everybody else, so carving out time to jam, write, and gig can get tricky. We’re lucky to be able to practice in Craig’s basement, making this process a bit simpler. Being in the band is the easy part, it’s the most fun and consistent part of our week. Everything else around it is the challenge.

When did you realise that your project had the potential to be much more than just a fun idea?
We had a demo of our cover of “Hey Jealousy” and played it for an old music friend of Mario and Devon. He showed it to his dad, who’s a professional drummer, and the reaction was kind of surreal. Not only did he love it, he wanted to lift some ideas for his own cover. That’s when it hit us. We weren’t just messing around anymore. If seasoned musicians were vibing with what we made, we knew we had more to offer.

Tell us about your latest release, why should we check it out?
Tunnel Vision came out in November 2024 and it’s a great first look into what we do. We take nostalgia and give it a modern edge. Whether you’re into the old-school grit of punk or the catchier pop-punk sound that came later, there’s something in this EP for you. It kicks off with “Run,” which sets the tone right away and closes with that cover of “Hey Jealousy” I mentioned earlier.

How does a song typically come together for you?
Usually, one of us brings in a spark, a riff, a beat, a melody, something we can build around. Once the foundation’s there, we build out the parts together. There’s a chemistry we’ve developed, like learning to speak a language no one else knows. We tweak structures, test them out live when we can, and adjust based on what feels right in the moment. Our upcoming single “Therapy” is a perfect example, it’s evolved because of how the crowd has responded to it on stage. Also good to test drive the car before you buy it right? Why not follow that concept with music too!

How would you describe your sound to an unfamiliar reader?
At our core, we’re a punk band with a pop sensibility. Think early 2000s punk rock, Blink-182, New Found Glory, The Offspring, Green Day, but with our own voice. We also love throwing older covers into our sets, punking up tracks from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. One night it might be The Beatles, the next it’s Chuck Berry. We like to keep it fun and familiar, even for someone hearing us for the first time.

What do you want listeners to take away from listening to your band?
We’re not trying to be anything we’re not. We’re here to be loud, honest, and have a good time. If that energy connects with you, great. If not, that’s fine too.We’re Take It Or Leave It, and we stand by that. We just hope that by the end of a show or a listen, you feel like you want to stick around with us.

Where would you really like to tour that you haven’t done so yet, and why?
We’ve mostly played around New York and New Jersey, but we’d love to take the Pasta Rock vibe on the road. A small run through New England or the Mid-Atlantic would be an awesome next step. Long term? Europe. Hands down. Getting to play punk shows across the pond would be wild.

How would you say that the sound of your band has progressed over the years?
We’ve tightened up a lot. Most of the songs on Tunnel Vision were written in late 2021 and early 2022, but we didn’t track the EP until 2024. That time let the songs evolve with us. We’ve matured a bit, but we’re still leaning into fast, loud, and catchy. If anything, our tempos keep speeding up. We figured we’d slow down eventually, turns out, not yet.

How excited are you for 2025, and what can fans expect from you?
We’re pumped for what’s next. We got summer shows across NY and NJ and then we’re getting back in the studio. We’re hoping to drop a new single later this year and have another EP ready by winter. Once we’re back in recording mode, Anthony at Small Room Studio will help us bring it all to life. There’s plenty more to come.

BIO
Take It Or Leave It is a punk band from Rockland County, New York. Loud, energetic, and emotionally honest, they blend catchy hooks with raw punk, performing high-energy shows that mix originals and “punkified” covers. Known for their consistency and connection to the crowd, TIOLI treats every set like it matters, because it does. They’ve also leaned into livestreams to connect with fans who can’t always make it to shows. The band embraces the nickname Pasta Rock, a playful nod to the way “TIOLI” sounds like “ravioli.” It’s more than just a rhyme, it’s a vibe. Pasta Rock forever.

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

Craig Chalfin – Bass, Vocals
Mario Frascone – Guitar, Manager
Devon Beuschel – Drums

SOCIALS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/takeitorleaveitband
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Music.TakeItOrLeaveIt
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tioli-band.bsky.social

MUSIC
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/takeitorleaveit-872042877
BandCamp: https://takeitorleaveitband.bandcamp.com/album/tunnel-vision