Earlier this year, Tokyo Police Club lunched a farewell tour. The Canadian post-punk quartet are calling it a day 18 years after bursting into our indie music consciousness with their debut EP, A Lesson in Crime.
Tokyo Police Club bring The Final Tour to the Howard Theatre in DC on Thursday, Nov. 14, for what is sure to be a memorable show with openers and compatriots Born Ruffians.
Tokyo Police Club exploded on to the music scene in 2006 with their debut EP, A Lesson In Crime. 16 minutes of music that took them to the Late Show with David Letterman, and quickly led them to being by the likes of GQ (“Strokes-caliber catchiness”) and Rolling Stone magazine (“…poised to become the biggest Canadian export since Molson.’’), with a blend of exuberant indie rock that established them as one of the most exciting voices in the burgeoning “blog rock” scene.
The band released their debut LP, Elephant Shell, in 2008 on the legendary Omaha indie label Saddle Creek Records and supported by it with appearances at Coachella, Glastonbury, and Lollapalooza, a full U.S, arena tour supporting Weezer, the 2nd of 3 appearance on Late Night With David Letterman, and even landed on the hit U.S. TV show, ‘Desperate Housewives’.
In 2010, they joined forces with legendary producer Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliott Smith, Kurt Vile) to record Champ, which spawned the hit singles “Wait Up (Boots Of Danger)” and “Bambi”, and went on to become an enduring fan favorite. Reuniting with Schnapf on what will now be their final album, TPC, in 2018.
Watch the official music video for “Nature of the Experiment” by Tokyo Police Club on YouTube:
Discussing heading back out on tour one last time together, drummer Greg Alsop and guitarist Josh Hook offered some perspective.
“It’s been so awesome to have people reach out and share their feelings around the band ending and what this has meant to them over all these years. Connecting with everyone again in this way has been so uplifting and really given everything that’s to come over this year so much life and energy. I’m so glad that we still get to do what we’ve done for even a little bit longer — put out some music, play some shows and just be Tokyo Police Club,” Greg said.
“We have been so fortunate and privileged to have been able to share our music but even more to have had personal moments shared with us — from graduations to birthdays and onstage proposals. To still see the same familiar faces who have been coming out since the beginning of our touring days and to be connected with so many people through music over almost 20 years of life is truly an honour. This final tour will be the best retirement party anyone could ask for. Thank you so much for being with us on this wild ride,” Josh said.
Tokyo Police Club as ever are vocalist and bassist Dave Monks, keyboardist Graham Wright, guitarist Josh Hook, and drummer Greg Alsop.
Tokyo Police Club
W/ Born Ruffians
Howard Theatre
Thursday, Nov. 14
Doors @ 7pm
$35/$55
All ages