Website: http://www.tokyopoliceclub.com

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/tokyopoliceclub

Canadian indie-rock quartet Tokyo Police Club burst on the scene in 2006 with the debut ep A Lesson In Crime, 16 blistering minutes of music that served notice that these four childhood friends, just barely out of high school, were onto something big.

Combining emo's dynamics with the stately, care-free hooks of Stokes-style indie rock and a punk rock knack for brevity, the band followed up their opening missive with a number of snappy, acclaimed eps, touring the world relentlessly all the while and appearing on Letterman. 

In 2008, the group dropped Elephant Shell, their debut album, to widespread critical acclaim, with GQ ('Strokes-caliber catchiness'), Elle ('a smart, furiously played sugar-rush debut'), Rolling Stone ('poised to become the biggest Canadian export since Molson') and more giving it the thumbs up.

Featuring denser arrangements, but without sacrificing their razor sharp, short-form songwriting, Elephant Shell served notice that Tokyo Police Club were ready to make good on the promise of their early eps. In support of the record, the band continued to tour the world, all the while writing material for their sophomore lp.

In early 2010, Tokyo Police Club gave the world Champ, their second full length album and first for the mom+pop label. For the new album, the Newmarket, Ontario quartet ended up immersing themselves fully in their craft more than ever had: Greg Alsop (drums), Josh Hook (guitar), David Monks (vocals, bass) and Graham Wright (keys/percussion) challenged and redefined their songwriting and performing chops and techniques from day one of pre-production, and, together with producer Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliott Smith), created what is the defining record of their career to date.

'The push-and-pull between the desire to charge ahead and to create something deeper –– presuming the latter is what they're after –– makes Champ a compelling, joyous listen, especially once it's had a few spins to sink in,' The Onion A.V. Club wrote of Champ. 

From the epic slow burn of album opener Favorite Food to the irresistible shuffle of End of A Spark to first single Wait Up (Boots of Danger), Champ is that rare record that approximates, as the L.A. Times wrote, the feeling of 'being in love for the first time, in musical form –– that kind of rush.'