Tokyo Police Club proves its potential in Los Angeles

August 12, 2010, at El Rey

By Melissa Bobbitt
Published: August 15th, 2010 | 8:00pm

Appearances are everything when it comes to concerts. We're not saying one has to have as many wardrobe changes as Lady Gaga, or as spectacular a pyro display as Green Day (both elements seen just last weekend at Lollapalooza)—but with ticket prices continually on the rise, bands have to give the people what they want. And what they want is an experience; one that stimulates all five senses and one that fans wouldn't get from merely listening to albums in their bedroom or car. A band's MO nowadays has to be go big or stay home.

Canadian rock outfit Tokyo Police Club is at the precipice of becoming a great live band. The elements are there swirling about in the beaker, almost coagulating into a solid force. Take one part brilliant studio musicianship (its latest Mom+Pop recording Champ is a sure contender for Best of 2010 lists) and one part live wizardry (any band that can actually make a dour Los Angeles crowd dance must be magical), and you've got a potent indie elixir.

The concoction is still wobbly and unpredictable, though. First, there are the accompanying elements: the opening bands. On one hand, there was Arkells, giddy Canucks corn-fed on J. Geils and humility. Pompadoured singer Max Kerman had an unaffected swagger to him, merrily relating that he'd spent the day driving around streets that Dr. Dre had rapped about. With brassy '80s-ish songs and "Eleanor Rigby" choruses, Arkells were a strong component of the evening.

However, if Kerman was serious with his proclamation that Tokyo Police Club paid their supporting acts on commission for their ability to start the party, Freelance Whales would be in debt. Divine on record, this New York collective began its performance amusingly as they clanged watering cans and chimes and swapped instruments among members. But, like those manmade atoms high on the periodic table, the radiance petered out almost immediately. They relied on cutesy "ahhs" and deflated banjo-led tunes for far too long to hold the El Rey rapt.

The effervescent headliner did its best to revive those gone mentally flaccid after Freelance Whales. Standing before light-emitting obelisks, Tokyo Police Club launched right into the jagged fancy of "Favourite Colour." Singer/bassist David Monks set the front row's hands and hearts aflutter as he tossed his shaggy Shaun White–like mane. Multi-instrumentalist Graham Wright aped that energy, as he bashed his keyboard fortress with a tambourine.

A jangly new song called "Top 5" provided a nice segue into such driving hits as "Tessellate," off the 2008 breakthrough Elephant Shell (Saddle Creek). The groundswell was mighty toward the front of the stage, but it sputtered on the sidelines, despite Monks' very vocal appreciation for L.A. where Champ was formulated. (He dedicated the slow burner "Favourite Food" to the local Mexican restaurant chain Poquito Mas.) Efforts to get the fans to clap in proper sync were squelched by errant guitar and key notes, and the lead man's vocals grew noticeably parched as the night wore on.

A mediocre cover of Weezer's "My Name Is Jonas" during the encore brought one to realize that Tokyo Police Club is still a work in progress. The guys are straddling club king status and are arena ready; one more album circuit ought to propel them into that next realm.

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Tokyo Police Club MySpace page

Freelance Whales MySpace page

Arkells MySpace page

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