Taken (3)

Formed in 1997 by Ray Harkins (vocals), Chad Tafolla (guitar), Dan Baird (guitar), Nick Beard (bass), and Troy Born (drums), this Orange County, California-based melodic hardcore band enjoyed critical acclaim but only modest success during its eight-year performing career. Their early demo material was released via the small Here We Are Records label, and led indirectly to a contract with the Canadian independent Goodfellow Records. The Finding Solace In Dissension EP and the album And They Slept followed at the start of the new millennium. Both releases met with strong acclaim on the US hardcore scene, with comparisons made to the knotty alternative rock of pioneering bands such as At The Drive-In and Glassjaw. Born was replaced by Juan Pereda at the end of 2001 and Baird by Erik Bensberg the following summer. Despite a formidable live reputation and a growing cult following, Taken chose to disband in 2004 after a series of emotional farewell concerts and the release of Between Two Unseens. Harkin went on to form Mikoto and Beard joined post-hardcore unit Circa Survive. 14 years later, in 2018, Taken came back with a new release consisting in an 5 track EP entitled With Regards To, via L.A based label Other People Records.