The Takedowns release their long-awaited self-titled full-length album, giving new life to a record that was meant to exist more than twenty years ago. Issued by Wolf On A Bridge Records, the album arrives on vinyl and digital formats, capturing the raw energy of a band that lived at the edge of punk, garage rock, and straight-ahead rock ’n’ roll during the early 2000s.
Active from 2000 to 2005, The Takedowns operated in a time before social media and online hype. Their music spread through live shows, word of mouth, and packed dive bars. The band never fit neatly into one scene, blending fast punk rhythms with dirty garage tones and loose rock swagger. That flexibility earned them spots alongside psychobilly, punk, and rock bands across a wide range of bills.
The album is sourced from original half-inch reel recordings made in 2003 at the band’s clubhouse and garage in La Puente. Those recordings are now remixed, remastered, and fully restored, finally presenting the album as it was always intended to be heard. The release also includes five previously unreleased tracks, adding depth and context to the band’s short but intense run.
Sonically, the record moves between loud celebration and rough self-examination. Fast tempos and sharp riffs drive many of the songs, while darker moments slow things down and let tension settle in. The bass and drums stay tight and forceful, pushing each track forward with urgency. The guitars cut hard but never feel polished, keeping the sound grounded and physical. Vocals sit right at the center, delivering lines with grit and conviction.
The album reflects both the chaos of the era and the quiet aftermath that follows it. There is movement, sweat, and noise, but also reflection and restraint. It feels like a document of nights spent loud and reckless, followed by mornings filled with ringing ears and second thoughts.
With this release, The Takedowns reclaim a missing chapter of early-2000s underground rock. The self-titled album stands as a raw snapshot of a band that played hard, stayed honest, and left behind music that still hits with force today.
Check out an archival performance of “Run” from 2000:
