Emerging from Rockland County, NY with a name born out of playful indifference and a sound that throws hooks like punches, Take It Or Leave It are far more than a shrug in band form. With their debut EP Tunnel Vision making waves thanks to its raw energy and punk-pop fusion, we caught up with guitarist and founding member Mario Frascone to unpack the story behind the music. From their DIY basement recordings to the chaos of live shows, it’s clear this is a band with heart, grit, and plenty to say — whether you’re along for the ride or not.
How did you get to the band name, and what does it mean to you?
When we were tossing around band names early on, nothing really stuck. We kept brushing off ideas with, “Eh, I could take it or leave it,” until it finally hit us…that’s the name. It fit perfectly. We write music that feels like us and we hope it connects with people. But if it doesn’t, that’s fine too. We’re going to keep doing what we love whether you’re along for the ride or not.
When did you realise that you wanted to do music full time?
Music’s always been a big part of my life, whether it was through school programs or just listening at home. But it wasn’t until Guitar Hero and Rock Band came out that I started carving my own space in the music world. I started my first band during my first year of college and never looked back. I might not be gigging full time, then or even now, but I’ve been playing with other musicians consistently since 2009. These days, music takes up most of my free time outside of the 9-to-5. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
How did the idea for your latest release come about?
Our debut EP Tunnel Vision was a long time coming. The name came from the way we approached the project, constantly tweaking, overthinking, and getting stuck in the weeds. It became a reminder to stay focused and not lose sight of the bigger picture. The title also ties into the first lyric of the opening track “Run,” but we’ll let you hear that one for yourself.
Can you tell us about the themes and influences that run throughout?
We pull from the world around us, day-to-day life, personal stuff, the relentless news cycle, whatever’s hitting hardest at the moment. A recurring theme across the EP is frustration, which kind of just comes with the territory in punk. But there’s also a lot of reflection, urgency, and honesty. Musically, it’s got the attitude of classic punk and the hooks of modern pop punk. We wanted it to feel like something familiar, but still ours.
Who produced the release, and what were they like to work with?
We took a hybrid approach. Everything was recorded in Craig’s basement using my gear, and then we sent the tracks off to Anthony Bilancia at Small Room Studio for mixing and mastering. I had worked with him in another band over a decade ago, and he absolutely crushed it again. Anthony really understood what we were going for and helped us lock in the sound. Recording it ourselves gave us time to experiment and refine parts at our own pace, which made the process way more personal. I would recommend him in a heartbeat.
How would you say that the sound of the band has grown or changed over the last couple of years?
We’ve definitely matured since we started in 2021. Like any relationship, the more time you spend together, the better you understand each other. I always say it’s like learning a new language, one that only you and your bandmates speak. At first it’s messy, but eventually the conversations become second nature. That evolution shows in the music. We’ve found our rhythm, and the songs now feel more intentional, more dialed in.
What do you want your latest release to do for the representation of the band?
We opened Tunnel Vision with “Run” because we felt it captured the essence of what Take It Or Leave It sounds like. It’s got energy, big hooks, breakdowns, and attitude. The rest of the record reflects real things we go through, stress, heartbreak, politics, all of it’s in there. We’re not trying to be anything we’re not. This is us. Every track is something we lived or witnessed, and when we play it live, you can hear it in the way we leave it all out there.
What else can we expect to see from the band in 2025?
We’ve got a few more shows on the calendar, and if you haven’t seen us yet, what are you waiting for!?. For folks who live too far to make a gig, we occasionally stream from our practice space on YouTube. It’s a little less polished but always a good time and way more personable as we are actively interacting with the audience. We’re also in the middle of writing our next record, and we’ve got a new single called “Therapy” dropping later this year. We’ve already been playing it live, and if you dig around our YouTube, you can find a version from our set at Montclair Porchfest this past May.
OFFICIAL BIO
Take It Or Leave It is a punk rock band from Rockland County, NY that blends raw punk energy with pop punk hooks, pulling from influences like Rancid, Alkaline Trio, The Offspring, Blink-182, and NOFX. Their songs are melodic and emotional, but still rowdy enough to throw a shoulder. They jokingly call their style “Pasta Rock” as a nod to how their name abbreviation (TIOLI) sounds like ravioli. It’s comfort food for your ears. Music that hits hard, sticks with you, and feels like home.
The band started in 2021. Craig and Mario met through one of Mario’s coworkers who used to play with Craig in another project. That connection led to a jam session, and it immediately felt like something worth building on. They soon brought in Devon, who Mario played with over a decade ago in a similar style band. And in the summer 2025, they brought Nick into the fold on guitar. He and Mario had known each other since just before the band officially came together, so it felt like a natural fit.
Take It Or Leave It’s debut EP Tunnel Vision dropped in November 2024. Self-recorded and later mixed and mastered by Anthony Bilancia at Small Room Studio, the release opens with the high-energy single “Run” and features a punked-up take on the Gin Blossoms classic “Hey Jealousy.” The name Tunnel Vision is a nod to the opening line of the record as well as a reminder to keep focused but stay aware of your surroundings.
Known for their high-energy shows and spontaneous moments, Take It Or Leave It thrives on live performance. Whether you’re catching them at a local venue or one of their occasional YouTube live streams, every show brings something a little different.
Like the name says, take it or leave it. They’re not going anywhere, so come along for the ride or get out of their way.
MEMBERS
Craig Chalfin – Bass, Vocals
Mario Frascone – Guitar, Manager
Devon Beuschel – Drums
Nick Correa – Guitar
LINK TREE: https://linktr.ee/music.takeitorleaveit
SOCIALS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeitorleaveit_band
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/takeitorleaveitband
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TakeItOrLeaveIt_band
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tioli-band.bsky.social
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeitorleaveit_band
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/takeitorleaveit_band
