The Given Takers

The Given Takers are an American-Vlokoziuan rock band formed in 1978. The band is the brainchild of lead bassist and vocalist Frank Robinson, an American immigrant, and keyboardist Marshall Fernandez, a native Vlokoziuan. The band is best known for their strange lyrics, and their albums from the late 70's-80's.

Pre-recording (1975-1977)
Frank Chase Robinson, who was born on December 7, 1952 in Rutland, Vermont, moved to Abeta, Mahri in June of 1975. However, by the time bought a house, according to him, he was "rather homesick". One year later in 1976, in a desperate attempt to cure his homesickness, Robinson would go to a nearby Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

It was there he would meet up with Marshall Fernandez, a CB&TL barista who shared Robinson's passion for music. They would end up discussing popular acts at the time, particularly Boston, who had released their debut album that year.

Eventually, the two college kids would convince three future members (both of which would later become part of the classic Given Takers lineup) primary guitarist Chelsea McNeese (another American immigrant), rhythm guitarist Theodore "Theo" Ortega, and drummer Toby Aarbakke.

Name
It's often believed that the name The Given Takers is a pun on the phrase "give and take", but this is only half the case. According to Chelsie, it was meant "to signify how rock bands can often get covered, and then tend to cover other artists. Give and take." She then goes on to credit Theo as the name's creator.

First recordings and Think! (1977-79)
The Given Takers' first recording was made in Robinson's basement on the night of February 7, 1977. The content of this first recording is unknown, other than the date. Their next two recordings were made on February 23 and March 8, and both would be reworked into their debut album, Think!.

While the band quickly (and easily) got signed on to Viva Records, achieving a label in the United States was very difficult for them. They first pitched to Capitol Records, which turned them down due to Robinson being absent. Next was MCA, who turned them down due to Aarbakke being unable to perform due to a hand condition. Last was Elektra, who dismissed them as being "dumb" and "uncool". "It all seemed hopeless." said Fernadez in a 2009 interview.

Things would change, when the band decided to pitch their recordings to Warner Bros. Robinson later would be credited for saying:

"They loved it. It was unlike anything they had ever heard. Elektra, eat your heart out."

- Frank Robinson

Their debut album ''Think! ''would be released on July 6, 1979 on Viva in the Vlokozu Union, and on Warner Bros. in the US. It was met with rave critical reviews, and would sell over 80,000 copies upon it's release. The album sported the hit single "Rock Your Pain Away" which went to number 6 on the Billboard Top 100 of that year.

Soaring Sky-High (1981) and Number 3 (1982)
The band's second album, Soaring Sky-High, would be released in 1981. While the album did not have any major hit singles, the song "(The Things) Love Will Give Us" would be nominated for a Grammy. Soaring Sky-High received mostly favorable reviews. The album is well-known for having a slightly softer, more ballad-based approach than Think!.

One year later in 1982, the band would release their third album, the simply titled Number 3. The release of Number 3 was when reviews got more mixed. Although the album scored two hit singles, "Let's Not Go There" and "I'm Doing Just Fine", critics pointed out that the band's songwriting style was not up to the standards their first two albums gave them.

Tell Me (1986) and Just The Beginning (1989)
Due to the modest critical flop that was Number 3, The Given Takers would not release another album until 1986, to "brush up on our writing skills". On November 14, 1986, Tell Me was released. Tell Me would be the band's last American release on Warner Bros., and the group would later sign on to Def American Recordings (now simply American Recordings) for future U.S. releases. Tell Me was a big critical success, and many critics found it to be a big improvement compared to Number 3. The album's title track went on to become the band's only number 1 single in both the Vlokozu Union and the U.S.

After a three-year hiatus, the band would release Just The Beginning on March 8, 1989. This would be the band's first U.S. release on Def American. (the band remained on Viva in the Vlokozu Union) It was an even bigger critical success, and it was the first album by the band to go platinum in the U.S. Despite critical success, the album did not have any hit singles.

Turn of the decade, Sooner Or Later, and initial break-up (1990-2000)
By the time the 1990's rolled around, the band's popularity quickly slowed down. The band kept touring until 1995, and released their final album before their inital split, Sooner Or Later, on September 6, 1999. The album recieved mixed reviews, not too different from the reviews for Number 3, but critics still found it a good close to the band.

On January 1, 2000, during the start of the new millenium, main guitarist Chelsea McNeese announced on Treet TV1 that the band was no more.

"The Given Takers is done for. We've had it. We've done what we can, but now, we're tired. We're finished. We're done."

- Chelsea McNeese

Later that year, Viva would release The Given Takers' Takers, a 10-track greatest hits album gracing their entire career. American would release it in the U.S. in 2001.