Shillong, Meghalaya-based punk-rock and pop-punk outfit Ready 4 Take Off (R4TO) continues to expand the geographical boundaries of traditional punk ethos with the release of their debut EP, Are You Ready. The project is anchored by their focus single, “Be Like Them,” which arrived on streaming platforms alongside an official music video produced in tandem with Legato Studio Productions.

• Sonic Lineage and 80s Influence: Musically and aesthetically, R4TO operates as a compelling torchbearer for the golden era of 1980s punk rock. While classified within the modern pop-punk and punk-rock spectrum, “Be Like Them” evokes the visceral, stripped-down aggression and anti-establishment defiance characteristic of early US and UK hardcore and punk circuits. The composition relies on relentless driving rhythms and sharp, unpolished guitar work that rejects over-produced commercial polish in favor of raw authenticity.
• Band Trajectory: Formed in 2020 in the vibrant independent music hub of Shillong—often celebrated as India’s rock capital—R4TO has steadily cultivated a distinct identity. The transition from their formation years to a fully realized debut EP signals a maturing songwriting framework that honors historical punk blueprints while establishing a fresh, international perspective.
• Visual Direction: The release is bolstered by a launch-day music video via Legato Studio Productions, translating the track’s anti-conformist lyrical themes into a gritty, performance-driven visual format.
• Industry Outlook: As acts from non-traditional Western markets continue to redefine alternative genres, Ready 4 Take Off stands out as a definitive “band to watch,” successfully merging classic 80s punk sensibilities with contemporary global reach.