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You weren't originally in the band. When did you join Takka Takka?

Gabe [Levine, frontman of Takka Takka] asked me to join at one of the National 'Boxer' release shows at Bowery Ballroom. It was late May '07

What happened to the old guitarist?

I was an addition. The old band was only 4 members, now there are 5. Rene Planchon and I joined the band around the same time upon the departure of the former guitarist, Damion Jurrens.

So, how many shows will you have played total by the end of CMJ week?

By the end of CMJ, with the shows and in-studio performances, I think we're playing about nine.

And four of those were on Wednesday? How was that?

Yes. It was exhausting, enthralling, erotic, and ultimately rewarding.

Gabe (the frontman) seems to put a lot of emotion into every performance. Was it especially hard for him?

Gabe does put a lot into each performance, but each of our 4 shows was quite different. The contrast to each performance in such a short amount of time was very interesting. I think it kept us on our toes.

Not counting the BrooklynVegan show you haven't played yet, which was your favorite so far?

The KEXP in-studio on monday morning. It was an honor to perform on-air for a station we are all huge fans of.

Have you had any time to check out bands you weren't playing with?

No, but we got to see our friends Sam Champion who we did play with...

..It's funny, we played right after Women. Then later in the day, they played right before us -- And our Terrorbird party at Cake Shop was running late, so after we finished our set there, Pete from our label literally grabbed my amp, brought it upstairs, carried it next door to Pianos, and put it on stage. I followed him out the door, set right back up again, and played.

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Catch Takka Takka (again) at 4:00 PM in the Tap Bar at the free BrooklynVegan day party this Saturday (October 25th). Women are also on the bill.

Takka Takka - 2008 Tour Dates
Oct 24 2008 10:00P - Cake Shop - New York Noise CMJ Showcase New York, New York
Oct 25 2008 3:00P - Knitting Factory - Brooklyn Vegan CMJ Afternoon Party - Time TBD New York, New York
Dec 12 2008 9:00P - The Bell House w/ Loney Dear and more Brooklyn, New York