[1][2] Jack Rabid and Dave Stein began publishing The Big Takeover in May 1980 as a fanzine dedicated to New York punk band the Stimulators.

The pair had formed a garage band the previous month called Even Worse, originally playing mainly punk rock cover songs.

This could consist of any kind of music that requires attention, regardless of trends or popularity, which results in the magazine covering a diverse mixture of independent and major label bands from punk to electronica to slowcore.

In 2005, The Big Takeover launched a redesigned website featuring contributors' blogs, top 10 lists and a large forum area.

"The Big Takeover" celebrated its 30th anniversary with a two-day music festival in July 2010 at The Bell House, a venue in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

[7] An earlier Big Takeover anniversary party in April 2001 at Giorgio Gomelsky's in Manhattan featured a rare live performance from Alternative TV.