Bio
Once upon a time, rocknroll was limitless, passionate, and beautiful. It wasn't distracted with the battles of style vs. substance or form vs. function. It was honest, and borne of dreams, passion, and hard work. Do you remember rocknroll? Can you recall the days of back-patches and band logos? Fists raised in unison, pounding beats into the air? Afternoons in parking lots and record stores, with radio stations spinning endless memories? It's been a while, hasn't it?
Formed in Anaheim, California, in 2005, Takota was built with the simple notion that memorable melodies, and explosive performances make for the best bands. Grant Arnow, a classically trained singer, was introduced to drummer Justin Ferreira at Chain Reaction, Orange County's legendary music venue. The two quickly found that they shared a common taste in music, and both having been recently liberated from signed bands, they immediately enacted a plan to build something massive. Through Myspace, Grant and Justin discovered bassist Danny Roddy and guitarist/vocalist Brett Anderson, all of whom shared the same perspective, passion and drive. The group of individuals instantaneously gelled into a band, and before long, they began captivating a massive local following with legendary performances. This spirit expanded quickly into other communities, eventually crossing oceans and energizing other parts of the world.
In Spring of 2006, Takota recorded and released their debut album, 'The Ivory Tower', Produced by Brandon Saller (of Atreyu); an album of powerhouse hooks, energy and staggering ambition. A few of the tracks managed to catch the attention of Bruce Dickinson (of Iron Maiden), who featured Takota on his BBC radio program. Not bad for an unsigned band, right? Equally humbling was the response the album received from the world's press, as illustrated by reviews in such major music magazines as Kerrang, Rock Sound, Classic Rock, AP and Metal Hammer. All of the above encourage this particular band towards greatness. In their short year together, Takota has played with Fall Out Boy, Silverchair, Head Automatica, Further Seems Forever, Bullets and Octane, Zebrahead, Young Love and Bleed the Dream, and this past summer completed a third tour of Europe as they toured with Plain White T's and All Time Low. The UK's Scuzz TV placed Takota's first music video (for 'Carpark Conversation') in main rotation, while Sean Stiegemeier (Atreyu, Haste The Day) recently directed another for 'Satellite'. They've done all of this with the help of their ever expanding fanbase, a few key friendships, and a lot of hard work. Grant, Justin, Danny and Brett have been working hard and digging deep for most of 2007 with producer Bob Marlette on their debut album "Just Before Morning" for Island Records. In March of 2008 Takota welcomed Sergio Ruelas as their lead guitarist. Takota isn't interested in reinventing the wheel, yet they're obviously keen on improving it. And why not bring the once massive sounds of rocknroll out of hibernation, and back onto the stage, one unstoppable melody at a time?
I miss you guys!! You neeeed to come back to the UK again, cause I missed you that last time you came, I haven't seen you since you supported Zebrahead at Rock City! xxxx
Hey the last & first time I saw you guys was back in October '07 I believe. You guys played with Atreyu at the Glasshouse. Well I've since moved out of SoCal back home to the central valley. It would be rad if you guys could play a show up here sometime in Modesto, Stockton or something nearby. I know it sucks here but we need awesome bands such as yours to play shows here! Anyway take care! xoxo
Awesome show last night, Gentlemen! Great new songs, great new drummer (he plays your songs closer to the way I'd play 'em--he must be good!). Rock on!
you guys were amaziiiiing!!!! and i must say i love the new drummer drew thanks a bunch for introducing me,he seems to fit in just fine =] see you soon!
hello, i dont know if you guys actually read these little messages, but in my hopeful spirit that you do, i wanted to let you know that you were really great last night at the chain reaction, i have to say you were actually my favorite band that performed :) i bought your cd at the show and i have not stopped listening to it. so thanks for a great show!!!
p.s. thanks for being so sweet even though i was acting like a little shy 13 year old girl around you guys :) lol
im pretty stoked to finalllllly see you guys next week at chain reaction. i know you know its been forever since we've seen each other. maybe i'll see you sunday too but we'll see.
Hey yall remember me? At the musink with Atreyu yall sat right next to us with Brandon Saller and we thought yall were story of the year haha how are yall
I just saw your post for the chain reaction show. Are there any tickets left? If so, how can I get one??? I'm going through serious Takota withdrawls...
ok your not going to believe this ... but my name is takota lol and my mom was born and raised in california lol that is really cool and btw i loveee your music you guys rock :)
Is there anywhere I can buy "Los Angeles"? I can't find it on iTunes or anywhere else. I managed to buy The Ivory Tower EP after hours of searching various sites. I think it's and excellent album and I can never get tired of listening to it. (:
Man am I happy I stumbled upon you guys on myspace. Very rarely will I come accross a band who I never heard of and automatically be hooked on their music from the start. Where can I pick up a CD or perhaps some merch??