Indie rock is a very hit-or-miss genre. It can easily be generic, overplayed, boring and even straight-up soulless at times. But some bands bring the genre to life and do it justice. Tokyo Police Club is one of those bands.
The Canadian group has been churning out energetic, driving, feel-good jams since its debut EP A Lesson In Crime came out in 2006. Now, nine years later, the men of Tokyo Police Club have sprung from the lo-fi numbers they created straight out of high school into more carefully and skillfully produced tracks. They are bringing their infectious presence to Eugene’s Cozmic Pizza (199 W 8th Ave) next week.
The band has a style that is undeniably lovable. Filled with a cheerful intermingling of bright guitar riffs, cleverly placed synthesizer and tireless drums, Tokyo Police Club makes it hard not to want to dance along. Although overall the band’s music is joyful and lively, it’s stuffed with undertones of growing older and nostalgia for past times: “I remember when our voices used to sound the same; now we just translate,” wails lead singer and bassist David Monks in the song “Breakneck Speed” off of the band’s 2010 release Champ.
Tokyo Police Club has had multiple television appearances and shared the stage with bands such as Weezer, Foster the People and Angels & Airwaves over the years. And after their most recent 2014 release, Forcefield, it doesn’t seem like the band will be stopping the tour bus any time soon.
Tokyo Police Club will play in Eugene on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at Cozmic Pizza. The show is all ages. Tickets are $17 for early bird general admission and $21 for regular general admission. Doors open at 8:30 p.m, show is at 9 p.m.
Listen to the track “Miserable” off Forcefield below.