Take Back The Power

The song Take Back The Power by The Interrupters is a high-energy ska-punk anthem that has resonated with fans since its release on the band’s self-titled debut album in 2014. According to Genius, the track was written by Aimee Allen, Justin Bivona, Jesse Bivona, Kevin Bivona, and Tim Timebomb (Tim Armstrong of Rancid), showcasing the collaborative spirit of the band and their close ties to the punk scene. The song’s lyrics, with lines like “What’s your plan for tomorrow? Are you a leader or will you follow?”, serve as a call to action, blending themes of unity and resistance. During a live performance in Tokyo, captured on Shazam, Aimee Interrupter introduced the song as both a protest and unity anthem, emphasizing its stance against racism, sexism, homophobia, and bigotry, encouraging the crowd to clap together in solidarity.

The song’s impact extends beyond the stage, finding its way into various media. Wikipedia notes that Take Back The Power was featured in a TSN commercial for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, as well as in T-Mobile ads, the TV series Shameless, the 2016 MLB Home Run Derby, and the end credits of Michael Moore’s documentary Where to Invade Next. Its rebellious energy also made it the intro music for the 2020 docuseries Hillary, about Hillary Clinton, as mentioned on Wikipedia. The band’s explosive performance of the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2018, alongside She’s Kerosene, highlighted its raw power, with Aimee engaging the crowd directly while singing lyrics about standing up to oppression, as described by Billboard.

The Interrupters formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2011, bringing together a tight-knit group of musicians with a shared passion for ska and punk. The band consists of lead vocalist Aimee Interrupter (born Aimee Allen) and the Bivona brothers: Kevin on guitar, Justin on bass, and Jesse on drums. According to Wikipedia, the Bivona brothers, who previously played in the band Telacasters, met Aimee Allen in 2009 while touring as support for The Dirty Heads and Sugar Ray. Aimee, then a solo artist, connected with Kevin over songwriting, and soon the twins, Jesse and Justin, joined to form the band. Their early years were marked by relentless touring with punk heavyweights like Rancid, The Transplants, and Bad Religion, as well as festival appearances at Riot Fest and Soundwave Festival, even before their debut album dropped.

The band’s big break came with the release of their self-titled debut in 2014 on Hellcat/Epitaph Records, produced by Tim Armstrong of Rancid. Billboard highlights how their connection with Armstrong, who signed them to his label, shaped their sound, blending the classic 2-Tone ska of the late ’70s with modern punk energy. Aimee’s journey to the band was unique; as a solo artist, she had been signed to Elektra Records in her early 20s after being discovered by Randy Jackson, as she shared in a Billboard interview. However, that solo project never materialized, and Aimee found her true calling in the collaborative, high-energy environment of The Interrupters, where she thrives as part of a band rather than a solo act.

Fans can stay connected with The Interrupters through their official website and social media platforms, including Facebook, where they have over 201,000 likes and share tour updates, and Instagram, where they post behind-the-scenes content and performance clips. On X, the band engages with their audience, known as “Zoo Freaks” in this context, by sharing tour dates and music releases. While specific fan websites or dedicated Facebook groups for The Interrupters are less prominent, fans often gather on platforms like Reddit in communities such as r/RiotFest to discuss the band’s festival performances and share enthusiasm for their music.