A Rising Guitarist Shaping Power Take Off’s Sound

Power Take Off’s high-energy blend of rock, pop, and punk has been building steady momentum across the U.S. In that aspect, Ethan Schluter stands out as the guitarist whose tone, chemistry with his bandmates, and disciplined work ethic anchor the live show and studio output. Fresh from an October run that included Launch Dallas on October 3, 2025—part of the LAUNCH Music Conference & Festival’s Dallas edition—he continues to help translate the band’s hook-forward writing into dynamic performances that connect with new crowds.

Born on April 15, 2004, Ethan Schluter grew up surrounded by music and mentorship. The environment shaped his early curiosity into a focused craft: long practice hours, careful listening, and a habit of pushing arrangements until the songs felt both fresh and familiar. That discipline later became essential as the band’s profile expanded.

Early Roots And A Family Legacy

Music runs deep in the Schluter family. Ethan’s father, Paul Schluter—known for work with progressive metal band Last Crack—set a real-world example of the commitment needed to tour and record at a professional level. That influence, combined with encouragement from his grandfather Jim Schluter, created a multigenerational thread that informed both taste and technique. When he watched his father perform with a 1990s cover band at age 13, the spark took hold. Hours of practice followed, especially during the COVID era, when he turned a bedroom into a routine-driven woodshedding space for guitar, bass, voice, and songwriting.

Those roots help explain the way Ethan Schluter approaches collaboration: respectful of tradition, open to experimentation, and acutely aware of how parts fit together. He cites touchstone guitar figures—Jeff Beck, Rory Gallagher, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Johnson, Albert King, Gary Moore, and John Mayer—alongside a listening diet that spans blues, jazz, folk, pop, and classic rock. The range shows up in his phrasing and in the way he balances melody with grit.

Crafting A Signature Style

The onstage gear choices and practice habits tell a similar story. His splatter-painted Fender Telecaster (already on its second neck) is more than a visual calling card; it is the guitar he refuses to leave behind because it responds to subtle dynamics. That tactile bond translates to a stage presence fans remember: bleach-blond hair, a broad grin, and an energetic, sometimes off-the-cuff feel that still lands right in the pocket.

That balance—personality and precision—has helped Ethan Schluter evolve from early roles on bass to the band’s lead guitar voice. He shapes tones that complement vocals and leave space for hooks. It is a style that supports the song first, then adds color: a short bend here, a chordal fill there, a counter-melody in a second verse to lift the refrain.

From Friends To Bandmates

Relationships within Power Take Off developed organically. Singer Scott Theis and drummer Ayden Theis clicked quickly with Ethan in early writing sessions; the first song they finished together, “All the No’s,” later climbed into the Mainstream Rock Top 50, peaking at #27, a milestone publicly noted by the band’s label. Guitarist Mike Delp adds a complementary approach—the “yin and yang” interplay Ethan often highlights—while Jakob Ripp locks down the low end with a direct, song-first sensibility.

The result is a lineup—Scott Theis (vocals), Ayden Theis (drums), Ethan Schluter (guitar), Mike Delp (guitar), and Jakob Ripp (bass)—that writes quickly, revises with intention, and plays with conviction.

Onstage Identity And The Telecaster That Won’t Quit

Fans regularly associate Ethan Schluter with that multicolored Telecaster, a guitarist’s instrument worn in all the right places. The choice hints at priorities: clarity, attack, and the ability to sit inside a dense mix without getting harsh. Pair that with backing vocals and co-writing duties, and his role becomes clear—one-fifth of the band’s engine, always serving the arrangement.

He credits close friendships for that cohesion. The bond with vocalist Scott keeps melodies and guitar figures aligned; the trust with drummer Ayden shapes transitions and dynamics; and the locked-in partnership with Mike on the other guitar brings the classic two-guitar conversation into modern arrangements.

Recent Momentum—And Recording Pedigree

Photo Courtesy: John Flores

Power Take Off’s single “Revolution” arrived on streaming on May 2, 2025, signaling a concise, radio-ready sound that still leaves room for guitar personality. The track contributes to a consistent run on the SMR Mainstream/Active Rock chart, underscoring how the band has tightened its writing cycle.

Key collaborators add pedigree. “Revolution” was recorded in Nashville with multi-platinum producer Malcolm Springer, with sessions at Stoner Creek Studio, a facility associated with Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist Peter Keys. The band has also tracked in Detroit with Chuck Alkazian, owner of the long-running Pearl Sound Studios. Each producer relationship sharpened arrangements, tones, and performances—vital steps for a group preparing sustained national activity.

On the business side, Power Take Off releases music through Stryker Records, with distribution via Virgin Music Group and additional releases distributed by FUGA in London. That partnership supports touring and promotions while providing a clear path for new music in the year ahead.

Touring Benchmarks And Audience Growth

Live work remains central. The October 2025 itinerary included LAUNCH’s Dallas edition, with a set at Puzzles in Deep Ellum. This appearance helped the band reach listeners beyond its home base, testing new arrangements and tightening the show for the larger rooms planned.

For Ethan Schluter, the road tests more than stamina; it validates how parts interact under stage volume and how songs read in real time. That feedback loop flows back into writing sessions, where small changes—an intro figure, a harmony run, a trimmed bridge—can elevate a track’s clarity without sacrificing edge.

What’s Next

With additional sessions in Detroit and a label infrastructure in place, the band has flagged continued single rollouts and expanded U.S. routing. Next up: Power Take Off will join Rehab on tour, with the full run officially announced on November 3, 2025. As that schedule unfolds, Ethan Schluter will continue to focus on tone, arrangement craft, and chemistry. Dates and markets will be shared on the band’s official channels immediately following the announcement. The aim is steady growth: new rooms, new fans, and recordings that reflect the band heard on stage.