About Me
The Cops?
A mashing of rock, funk, soul, electro, hip hop and pop, shot out of a see-through, mile-long, neon cannon into the outer reaches of our solar system. A cross pollenising smorgasboard of tasty singalong choruses, arse-shaking beats and whacked out lyrical quests. An atom-splitting, electron-shaking, mojo-sweating sword of musical exploration.
Formed in late 2003 by songwriter/producer/visionary Simon Carter and bass player/keyboardist/quality control officer Beck Darwon, The Cops were created in a dingy inner western basement full of second hand cane furniture and leaking walls. Fielding offers from labels both nationally and internationally, the band decided to sign with small independent label Love Police in 2004 with a view to retaining the postmodern vision that Simon and Beck had conceived for the band. Fast forward to 2006 and things had changed dramatically for the band.
In the process of less than 6 months, the band went to Hell and back. They lost 3 original members to other pursuits, left their record label Love Police and parted ways with their management. It was time to rebuild. Initially toying with a rotating roster, Simon and Beck decided to find new members and bring the Cops beast back from the dead.
The first stop was finding new members. Todd Smith ..s was still with the band, Jarrod Murphy, an exceptional vocalist, guitar player and songwriter from Major was asked to join and eventually Nick Kennedy, the original powerhouse drum genius from the first incarnation was asked to help out on the skins again. Next was a manager. Michael Stranges, long time friend of the band and walking musical encyclopedia, was asked to put his extensive knowledge of all things Cop to the test. Luckily for the band he accepted and has been fronting the helm ever since. Next was a new record deal. After fielding offers, the band decided to sign with exceptional independent label Inertia as their first exclusive recording artist. Next was a record...
Drop It In Their Laps is, in many ways, an extension of Stomp On Tripwires and a hotwiring of The Cops' postmodern eclectic attitude towards contemporary music. The band decided to release a record which was the very antithesis of their first record - a polished, melody driven, postmodern pop record. Denounced in the street press as a 'synth pop' album, "Drop It In Their Laps" actually drew influences from the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and 00's, moulded them together and then spat them into the public's collective lap, instantly striking a chord with their ever growing fan base. This culminated in a completely sold-out tour of the country which saw the record overtake it's predecessor in every regard.
From the post apocalyptic electro funk battleground of OUT OF THE FRIDGE/INTO THE FIRE, to the sinewy Motown via Manchester stomp of RESPECTAGON to the beatific disco-soul of TURN UP THE RADIO to the Mardi Gras Latin Heat of LA MUSICA DEL DIABLO, the new album from The Cops is just as undefinable as their debut, STOMP ON TRIPWIRES was in 2004. It's time for you to listen to a band that does what it wants, when it wants, whenever it wants.
Released:
'The Cops EP' (04),
'Stomp On Tripwires' LP (04) (Australia and Japan release)
Cops 7" (05) (vinyl limited pressing with "Wallet/Puffer/Smokes/Keys" and "The Deal")
"80 In The Shade" EP (06)
'Drop It In Their laps' LP (07)
Supported:
Blondie, The Kasier Chiefs, CHK CHK CHK, The Von Bondies, The Dirtbombs, The Distillers, The Black Keys, The Donnas, Dallas Crane and Grinspoon.
Played:
The Big Day Out 05, Jack Awards 04, AMP Awards 07, Homebake 04, Falls Festival 04, Pushover 04, St Kilda Festival 04 and 05, Come Together Festival 05, Showdown at Sundown Festival 04, Playground Weekender Festival 07, Great Escape 07
Nominated for 2 Jack Awards 2004: the band for 'Best Newcomer' and Beck Darwon for 'Best Bass Player'.
Here's what some people thought of the debut album "Stomp On Tripwires".....
"This is a genuinely ecletic album, and it deserves all the most indulgent superlatives that can be found."
Patrick Emery - www.i94bar.com
"The Cops are truly unique. Their sound is truly their own, which for a while there was looking like no Australian band would ever do again! In that light, you might even call them our saviours!"
Tim Cashmere - www.undercover.com.au
"The 15 eclectic tracks heard on this record are certainly among the best Australia has spawned in recent times and can probably lay the same claim in the rest of the world".
Erik Jensen - Drum Media
"It's a garage sale - but instead of just being a messy exercise, it performs the neat trick of being clever while kicking out the jams. Arresting stuff.
A- - Who magazine
"Fuck caring if this is the new anything, just get on the goddamn dancefloor and fuckin' well shake it!"
Arlo Stecyk, 9/10, Blunt magazine.
and our 06 EP "80 In The Shade"....
"The Cops are much more than musical revisionists, they are post modern revolutionaries...and they rock like no one else in this hemisphere."
BEAT Magazine "Single of the Week"
"The lead single "Call Me Anytime" is cathcy and infectious as all hell and if you pop the lid there are 3 other gems just waiting to be given a thrashing"
Rob Lydon - Rip It Up Magazine
To Order "Stomp on Tripwires", "Drop It In Their Laps", The Cops EP, 80 In The Shade EP or the limited edition Vinyl release, go to www.redeye.com.au OR www.inertia-music.com
