The Cops (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Cops


Background = group_or_band
Origin = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genre = Rock
Years_active = 2003–present
Label = Love Police Records/Reverberation
Illustrious Artists
Inertia
URL = [http://www.thecops.com.au/ Official website]
Current_members = Simon Carter
Rebecca Darwon
Nicholas Kennedy
Jarrod Murphy
Todd Smith
Past_members = Jimmy Stacks
Andrew Gilbert

"The Cops" were formed in late 2003 by songwriter Simon Carter and bass player/keyboardist Rebecca (Beck) Darwon (ex-Fyreflyes, Del-Emmas) in Sydney, New South Wales.

Biography

Initially, Simon Carter began recording songs in his parents' basement, which were unlikely to see the light of day, until he sat down with his bass-playing friend Beck Darwon and offered to play her his demos.

cquote|"One day Simon asked if I'd like to hear some of his demos I didn't even know he had any so he put them on and they were awesome,"
"I told him we should start a band and it was funny because he didn't think they were any good but I thought they were great!" There was one request Beck only wanted to be in the band if it was called The Cops.
"I've always just thought The Cops would be a really funny name for a band so that was my one condition"cite web | year = 2004 | url = http://15min.org/articles/2004/november/3/ootm_1.html | title = Untitled | publisher = Newcastle Post | accessdate = 2004-03-11]
— "Rebecca Darwon"The Cops' original line up also included Jimmy Stacks, Andrew Gilbert (who previously played with Carter in 'General Lee' and 'Hush Honey' respectively) and Nick Kennedy (ex-Big Heavy Stuff) .

In 2004 The Cops signed with small independent record label, Love Police Records, releasing their first EP "The Cops EP" in August, which was quickly followed by the debut album "Stomp On Tripwires" in September that year.

In 2005 the band undertook numerous tours, with support slots for bands such as Dallas Crane and The Von Bondies and also received nominations for the 'Best Newcomer' and 'Best Bass Player' awards at the 2005 Jack Awards.

In May 2005, Jimmy Stacks left the band due to Carter's increasing obsession with writing songs about Gary Coleman's soul. This was followed by the departure of guitarist Andrew Gilbert. Carter and Darwon decided to rebuild the band, with Todd Smith being retained on keys, Jarrod Murphy, (ex-Major) on guitar and Nick Kennedy, the band's original drummer from the first incarnation rejoining. The band also left their label, Love Police Records, and in 2006 signed to Inertia Recordings as the label's first exclusive recording artist.

Since the release of their EP "80 In The Shade" in November 2006, the band has gone from strength to strength, gaining a momentum that shows no signs of slowing down. "Call Me Anytime" received significant airplay on numerous indie radio stations, the video being played on MTV, [Channel V|Channel [V] and Rage, as well as receiving rave press reviews for both their recorded work and live performances.

The Cops further secured their position as the band to watch during 2007, with their single "Call Me Anytime" placing #33 on Triple J's Hottest 100.

Making Triple J's Hottest 100 is a significant achievement, as founding member Simon Carter states cquote|"For years we've dreamt of getting on that bloody list. It was like some exclusive nightclub doorlist that forever eluded us, no matter how sharp and sexy a suit we were dressed in! Now, after spectacular support from our fans and Triple J, we were not only let in, we were given a free drink and a booth. Amen to that."cite web | year = 2005 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s1364832.htm | title = Music News | publisher = Triple J | accessdate = 2005-03-05]
— "Simon Carter"

In 2007 The Cops supported US live punk/funk band !!! (Chk Chk Chk) on their east coast tour and UK band Kaiser Chiefs in March, followed by a performance at The Great Escape Festival in April.

The Cops released their second album, titled "Drop It In Their Laps", on 28 April 2007, which was followed by a promotional tour and a national tour with Expatriate.

In early 2008, founding member Beck Darwon left the band due to the fact that she no longer wished to tour. Rather than continue on, Simon Carter decided to put the band on indefinite hiatus and pursue a solo career. The demise of The Cops also saw the end of the working relationship between the band and Inertia.

He is currently working on his debut solo album tentatively titled Hold Your Horses. It is due for release in 2009.

Band members

The final members of the band were:
* Simon Carter - vocals/guitar (2003–present)
* Rebecca Darwon - bass/vocals (2003–present)
* Nicholas Kennedy - drums (2003–present)
* Jarrod Murphy - guitar/vocals (2006–present)
* Todd Smith - keyboard/synthesizer/vocals (2005–present)

Former members of the band include:
* Jimmy Stacks - guitar (2003-2005)
* Andrew Gilbert - guitar (2003-2005)
* Nicholai Danko - drums (2007)
* Simon Meli - guitar/vocals (2003)

Discography

Albums/EPs

* "The Cops" (EP) - Love Police Records/Reverberation (2004)
* "Stomp On Tripwires" - Love Police Records/Reverberation (2004)
* "80 In The Shade" (EP) - Inertia (2006)
* "Drop It In Their Laps" - Inertia (2007)

ingles

* "Wallet/Puffer/Smokes/Keys" - Illustrious Artists (2005)

Compilations

* "Homebake 2004" - EMI Music Australia (November 2004)
* "Fuck This, I'm Going To The Annandale" - Reverberation (2005)

Performances

Festivals

*Great Escape 2007
*Big Day Out 2005
*Come Together Music Festival 2005
*Falls Festival 2004
*Homebake 2004
*Pushover 2004
*Showdown at Sundown Festival 2004
*St Kilda Festival 2004 & 2005

upporting

*Blondie
*The Von Bondies
*The Dirtbombs
*The Distillers
*The Black Keys
*The Donnas
*Dallas Crane
*Grinspoon

Awards and nominations

Nominations

*2005 Jack Awards, Best Bass Player
*2005 Jack Awards, Best Newcomer

References

External links

* [http://www.thecops.com.au Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/copsaustralia Official MySpace Website]