Come and Take It at a gig
When I chatted with members of Come and Take It, the rock band made up of teens from Lake Highlands High School, I thought my first question was a simple one meant to put them at ease. Sam Hastings, Saylor Smith, Chris Theriot, Ben Bonner, Ben Browning, John Wilson Davis and Xavier Harlan — how’d the band get its name?
Vocalist Smith vaguely recalled that it was inspired by the Alamo. Bonner, the drummer, admitted he hadn’t a clue. But Davis, the pianist, was spot on. He remembered the day the group was practicing in guitarist Hastings’ garage. He looked up and saw the legendary flag from the Texas Revolution’s 1835 Battle of Gonzales hanging on the wall.
“John saw it and suggested it, and it stuck,” he said.
The band has come a long way since those salad days. They’ve played New Year’s Eve shows in Forney twice and been featured at Forney’s Oktoberfest. They’ve performed at the Exchange Club of Lake Highlands’ Oktoberfest Dallas, and they’ve entertained audiences at Shady’s several times. They’ve done a few private gigs and fundraising events, and they’ve got several more gigs on the books.
Hastings began playing instruments at age four and credits his dad, Nick, for “constantly playing Earth, Wind and Fire and Stevie Wonder” in the car and around the house. He taught himself to play guitar and took voice lessons from Lake Highlands’ own Amy Pottkotter. He’s been part of the Greater Dallas Children’s Chorus since the fourth grade.
“I love all kinds of music, but rock is my favorite because of how different it can sound,” he said. “My favorites range from new guys like Mk.gee and MJ Lenderman to the Beatles and Lynyrd Skynyrd. If I could play with anyone, it would probably be Stevie Ray Vaughan, just so I could hear his guitar tone. I find myself trying to dress in full Americana, so I’m always trying to look like a mix between Springsteen and Hank Williams, Jr. I get a lot of people telling me that I have a voice similar to Tyler Childers.”
Smith is another Pottkotter protégé who contributes occasional harmonica and guitar stylings to the band’s performances.
“Ever since I could talk, I’ve been singing,” she said. “I’ve always loved it. I’ve played piano since I was a child and more recently have learned guitar. I think I’ve always loved music — like, it’s in my genetic make up to love music the way it is for me to have brown hair.”
Smith, like Hastings, says her music-loving dad was a big influence.
“I love older music — mainly stuff from the 70s, like Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel and Bob Dylan. I also adore jazz music, specifically Ella Fitzgerald. On the more modern side, I listen to Phoebe Bridgers and Lizzy McAlpine. Our band covers songs from all across the board.”
Come and Take It has played for all ages groups — from a 1960s class reunion to Young Life Club for current students at LHHS.
“We play songs that cater to each age group, so people are usually happy. One of our favorites is (Hank Williams, Jr.’s) ‘Family Tradition,’ and the whole crowd joins in and chants back,” says Smith. “Music is honestly just such a cool thing, and when multiple people love it, it can bring them together over that shared interest like nothing else can. It’s how I’ve made some of my best friends, and it has brought me the coolest opportunities.”
Davis learned to play piano from Michael Boss of Lake Highlands School of Music, but he’s now taught by, you guessed it, Amy Pottkotter.
“I learned to love music as soon as I first learned a song on piano,” he said. “I like playing classical music the most, but I like listening to classic rock. If I could play with one rock star, it would be Eddie Van Halen.”
Harlan is a self-taught guitar player who loves classic rock, especially the Beatles. The artist he’d most like to play with is John Lennon.
“He’s my biggest influence — not only for music, but for everything,” he said.
Bonner is the only senior in the bunch, and you may have heard his drumming before. He also plays in a band of (mostly) LHHS students called Ben’s Rags.
“Led Zeppelin’s drummer, John Bonham, has been my biggest musical inspiration,” he told me. “He’s played a big role in my life.”
Bonner said his entire family has been supportive of his musical education and performances, but his dad has been a particularly big influence. “He’s been a real catalyst.”
Bonner said he and the rest of the band welcome all comers to their performances.
“We play a whole range of music from the Beatles to the Backseat Lovers, and we do some originals thanks to songwriters Chris and Sam. Our most loyal followers are friends and family, but we love to have the entire community come out.”
You may follow Come and Take It on Instagram here.
Come and Take It at rehearsal
