9:30 INTERVIEW: Greg Alsop of Tokyo Police Club
For the past eight years, Tokyo Police Club has been wowing crowds with their creative, well-crafted indie-rock and mindblowing live shows. Two years after their last full-length release, the quartet is back with a new EP, Melon Collie and the Infinite Radness (Part 1). Ahead of their performance at 9:30 later this month, drummer Greg Alsop chatted with us about album inspiration, touring, and pre-show traditions.
Janice Freeman [9:30 Club]: Each of your albums has hints of pop, punk, and alternative rock. What bands (other than Smashing Pumpkins, at least in terms of the title) inspired you on Melon Collie and the Infinite Radness (Part One)?
Greg Alsop [Tokyo Police Club]: I have always loved and will always love SP. Mellon Collie (Sadness) was the first rock album I ever got into - and I got into it in a deep way. The songs are huge and sprawling and the album has this range of genres and styles that only Smashing Pumpkins could really pull off. I think if anything, these EPs live in the vein of that album by trying to let each song be what it wants to be. On MCATIS it didn’t matter if a song played on a dulcimer was next to a song with screaming heavy guitar solos - it's way cooler that they’re both on there. With these EPs, we put songs with keyboard solos and electronic kick drums next to a garage rock tunes. We just tried to try whatever feels best and if it worked - we did it.
You guys always have super creative videos. "Hot Tonight" is one of my favorites. Any videos in the works for the new release?
We just finished shooting a video for “Not My Girl,” directed by none other than our very own keyboardist Graham Wright. It was very cool to see him handling a video shoot like this. He dressed for the part, worked well under pressure and got all our shots in just 4 takes - all in all I think we’d hire him again.
Melon Collie and the Infinite Radness (Part One) is amazing and I can't wait for part two. How would you describe the pair of EPs in three words?
Your show with Two Door Cinema Club in 2010 was one of my favorite concerts ever. How would you describe a TPC show to someone who's never seen you all before?
Thanks! That was one of my favorite shows as well! I think we try to just match whatever energy the crowd is giving us - and then keep raising the level on our end. We want the shows to climb to a peak. To have everyone singing along by the last song and not caring about how their voice sounds, or if they’re singing too loud or if the cute person next to them can hear them. Just make it a really fun way to lose yourself for a night and be with a bunch of people who feel the same as you do by the end.
When I saw you all at 9:30 a few years back, it was actually my first show at the Club. What was your first concert?
I went to see Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band with my dad and little sister when I was in grade 9. Amazing show! He had Sheila E., Greg Lake, Roger Hodgson - crazy talent and history all gathered in one room in a Northern Ontario casino.
After over 10 years in the business, you guys have been on numerous tours. What's your favorite part of touring? Any cities you guys are especially excited to hit on this string of dates?
From doing this for so long we've gathered a healthy amount of really, really, awesome fans. They honestly bring as much to the shows as we do, and we’re lucky enough to see a lot of the same people coming out each time we come through. So for us, each show now feels like a little reunion. Everything feels warm and familiar when you get to come back to a venue you’ve played before and to get to catch up with some of the same people before or after the shows.
To that end, have you guys developed any crazy pre-show rituals through all that touring?
Yes - watch this and all will be revealed…!
TPC has played in DC quite a few times. Any favorite spots to hit up when you're in town?
9:30 Cupacakes! It’s been too long...
Tickets for Tokyo Police Club at 9:30 Club on April 21 are on sale now.
