Here's the story behind Tokyo Police Club's latest album TPC: In the last few years, the band grew apart and started to consider a "slow fade." During the 10 Year Anniversary tour for their 2010 breakthrough EP, A Lesson in Crime, one member made a passionate plea for the the band to continue. All four members agreed and they rediscovered their love of making music together, re-enlisting producer Rob Schnapf to help rekindle the enthusiasm of making 2010's endlessly charming Champ.
I had dinner and a few drinks with Graham Wright and Josh Hook from Tokyo Police Club in Vancouver's Rumpus Room the last time the band came thru Vancouver. We talked about nearly breaking up, being in a band after ten years and had a few laughs about mid-career band press release cliches.
What strange dishes and drinks did the guys order? What's it like to re-evaluate your life after 10 years playing in a band? Why did the band nearly break up? Who wanted the band to continue? Why did Graham and Josh decide to double-down on Tokyo Police Club? What's it like to try to recapture the magic? Which old songs do they guys miss playing live? Which song on the new record makes Graham feel like a guitar god? How many Eminem references will there be in this interview? You'll have to listen to find out.
Tracks played on the podcast edition of the show...
1) Tokyo Police Club, TPC (2018) "Hercules"
2) Tokyo Police Club, TPC (2018) "Simple Dude"
3) Tokyo Police Club, TPC (2018) "New Blues"
4) Tokyo Police Club, Champ (2010) "Gone"
5) Tokyo Police Club, TPC (2018) "One of these Days"
ALL songs CANCON