Tokyo Police Club - Scala - 18th June 2008

Canadian quartet Tokyo Police Club first came to the attention of music fans in 2006 when they released their critically acclaimed debut EP 'A Lesson in Crime' which consisted of seven tracks that flew by in a very short but thoroughly enjoyable sixteen minutes. It was the definition of short and sweet.

Two years on they finally released their long-awaited full-length debut 'Elephant Shell', although at twenty-eight minutes long calling it a full-length is generous, but what it lacks in quantity it certainly makes up for in quality; the energy that endeared them to their fans is still evident here.

It is supporting this album that brings the band to London tonight, on the last date of their British tour.


The youthful foursome take to the stage and singer/bassist Dave Monks gives a goofy grin and "Hello" before they launch straight into 'Graves' from the new album.

The second track is popular b-side 'Box'. It's obvious that they are more than willing to draw from all of their sources of songs to make the gig as long and enjoyable as possible.

The top of the show consists mainly of songs from the new album which all go down a treat but when the opening chords and chanting of 'Your English is Good' come into play this turns from an awkward rhythmic knee-jerking affair to a full on rock show. The crowd bounces wildly turning the cramped room into a tiny festival arena.


From here on the crowd doesn't let up the energy and the band are in great form. They mix it up with newer songs, a cover of The Rentals' 'Friends of P' and songs from 'A Lesson in Crime', to the crowd's obvious delight. Only one of the songs stretches beyond the three-minute mark so they come in rapid-fire with barely a breath to spare before the next hit.

The band are all very active on stage, making full use of the spacious stage by swanning about whilst playing, as if to mock those of us who are being crushed down at the front. Nevertheless the crowd do their best to pull their arms free and clap along at the slightest suggestion from the band, most notably on the mid-set highlight 'Citizens of Tomorrow'.

The most energetic of the band members is Graham Wright. Despite playing the most constricting instrument he manages to expend ample amounts of kinetic energy on each song, at times when he is enthusiastically banging his tambourine his arms seem nothing more than a blur! However whenever he gets a moment to rest he is the complete opposite of this, taking time to sip from a glass of wine which he has brought to the stage with him.

Tokyo Police Club are more well known for their faster songs but for me the highlight of the night comes in the slower, reverb drenched rendition of 'Listen to the Math' which is played towards the end of the show. Monks croons into the microphone the song which details becoming a father and raising a daughter. On a night consisting mainly of jagged guitar lines played over rapid pounding drum rhythms this song cuts away from the rest and sticks in the memory for longer.

After this 'Be Good' finishes the main set before the band wander off-stage. The time they spend off stage is correctly proportioned to the length of their songs, with my estimation being around ten seconds. They are keen to get back onto the stage and see of the end of their British tour in style. They play a new song, cleverly entitled 'New New Song' before finishing with the very song that introduced us to Tokyo Police Club 'Cheer It On', the first track from 'A Lesson In Crime', and the perfect way to see out the night.

Rating: 8.2/10
Best Part: "Operator!? Get me the President of the World! THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!" - 'Cheer It On'

To see the rest of my photos from this gig, click here

If you haven't heard any Tokyo Police Club songs, here are some you can check out:

Cheer It On (from 'A Lesson In Crime' EP)
Citizens of Tomorrow (from 'A Lesson In Crime' EP)
Box (from 'Smith' EP)
In A Cave (from 'Elephant Shell')
Tessellate (from 'Elephant Shell')
Your English Is Good (from 'Elephant Shell')
Listen to the Math (from 'Elephant Shell')

The set list: