Tokyo Police Club is easily one of the hardest working Canadian bands out there.
They’ve been on the road since their album Champ came out last June, but that’s given them the chance to master their tunes in front of an audience.
“We’ve had about eight months now to really refine the songs live to a point where they feel like they’re in that muscle memory territory,” says Greg Alsop, Tokyo Police Club’s drummer. “You can just play and concentrate more on performing the song for people and putting on a show for them.”
Alsop also says the group can’t be happier with the response to the album on the road. “These new songs have been getting some of the best reactions from the crowds,” he says. “It feels like we’re on the right track, artistically.”
But, Alsop also admits the band was a bit uncertain about what fans would think at first.
“We were worried that people would be so used to the fast, two-minute blasts of songs that we had been writing for the last two albums.”
On a recent break from touring, they had a chance to think about what’s next.
“We’re in the very first stages of putting some ideas together for the next record,” Alsop says. “You always want to find a way to grow with your audience and have them stay with you as you explore new territory.”
Tokyo Police Club will be at Capital Music Hall (128 York St.) tomorrow night, along with recent Juno winners for New Group of the Year, Said the Whale. Advance tickets are sold out – a limited number will be released at the door, so get there early. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Around Town
What: Jeff McEnery at Yuk Yuk’s
Where: Tonight at 8:30 p.m, tomorrow at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
When: Yuk Yuk’s (292 Elgin St.)
Tickets: $14 tonight, $20 tomorrow and Saturday
This weekend at Yuk Yuk’s, check out buzzworthy comic Jeff McEnery.
Back in 2006, he won the Yuk Yuk’s $25,000 Great Canadian Laugh Off. A
year later, he was named Best Stand-Up Newcomer at the Canadian Comedy
Awards. He’s also the youngest headlining performer at Yuk Yuk’s.
What: Hard Times at Babylon featuring Basement Artists
Where: Saturday at 7 p.m.
When: Babylon Nightclub (317 Bank St.)
Tickets: $10 at The Record Shaap and Neon Clothing or $15 at the door
Check out artwork from 30 of Ottawa’s most talented visual artists. Buy
a piece and support local artists. While you’re browsing the artwork,
enjoy musical performances by Seeded Among Seven Hills, Everything Less
and Ace Kincaid.
