The Cops (Australian band)

The Cops

The Cops playing live at Newtown Social Club, Sydney, in July 2015.
Background information
Origin Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres Rock
Years active 2003-2008, 2015-present
Labels Love Police Records/Reverberation
Illustrious Artists
Inertia
Associated acts The Mess Hall, Big Heavy Stuff, 78 Saab
Website Official website
Members Simon Carter
Todd Smith
Cec Condon
Archi Fires
James Roden
Jimmy Stacks
Past members Andrew Gilbert
Rebecca Darwon
Nicholas Kennedy
Jarrod Murphy
Nicholai Danko
Simon Meli

The Cops are an Australian rock band that were formed in late 2003 by songwriter Simon Carter and bass player/keyboardist Rebecca 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 Bec Darwon and offered to play her his demos.

“ 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![1]
— Rebecca Darwon

 ”

The Cops' original line up also included Simon Meli (The Widowbirds), Jimmy Stacks (who previously played with Carter in 'General Lee'), Andrew Gilbert (Whom Carter played with in 'Hush Honey') and Nick Kennedy (ex-Big Heavy Stuff) .

In early 2004, the band released their debut self-titled E.P. on Reverberation. In late 2004, The Cops signed with small independent record label Love Police Records, releasing the debut album Stomp On Tripwires in September that year.

In 2005, the band undertook numerous tours, with support slots for bands such as Blondie, The Dirtbombs, The Distillers, The Donnas, Dallas Crane and The Von Bondies; while also receiving nominations for 'Best Newcomer' and 'Best Bass Player' at the 2005 Jack Awards.

In May 2005, Jimmy Stacks left the band. This was followed by the departure of guitarist Andrew Gilbert and drummer Nick Kennedy. Carter and Darwon decided to rebuild the band, with Todd Smith being retained on keys, Jarrod Murphy, (ex-Major) on guitar and Nicholai Danko (78 Saab) on drums. The band also left their label, Love Police Records, and signed to Inertia Recordings in 2006 as the label's first exclusive recording artist.

The new line-up of the band recorded and released an EP entitled 80 In The Shade in November 2006. The EP's lead single, "Call Me Anytime," received significant airplay on numerous indie radio stations; with the video being played on MTV, Channel [V] and Rage. The song ended up placing at #33 in Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2006.

Making Triple J's Hottest 100 was a significant achievement for the band, as founding member Simon Carter stated:

“ 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.[2]
— Simon Carter		 ”

In 2007, The Cops supported !!! (Chk Chk Chk) on their east coast tour; as well as 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. The album spawned two singles, "Cop Pop" and "The Message," the latter of which came in at number 88 in the 2007 Hottest 100.

In early 2008, founding member Beck Darwon left the band because 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. Carter released a solo record, The Black Book Of The Universe, on Rusty Hopkinson's Illustrious Artists imprint in 2010.

In April 2015, Carter announced that The Cops would return for two headlining shows in Melbourne in May at the Northcote Social Club and Sydney in July at the Newtown Social Club. The shows intended to focus on the Stomp on Tripwires era of the band. Only Carter and Smith remained from the previous lineup; with Carter assembling a new line-up of Cec Condon (The Mess Hall) on drums, James Roden (The City Lights) on guitar and Archi Fires (Hell City Glamours, Black Ryder) on bass.[3] Following the shows, Carter announced on Facebook that the new line-up and reunion of the band was permanent; and both a third studio album and further touring were both deemed "imminent." The band were also announced for the 2015 Newtown Festival in Camperdown Memorial Rest Park.

On 6 October 2015, it was officially announced that founding guitarist Jimmy Stacks was to rejoin the band.

Band members

Current members

Former members

Timeline

Discography

Albums/EPs

Compilations

Music videos

Singles

Performances

Festivals

Supporting

Awards and nominations

Nominations

References

  1. ↑ "Untitled". Newcastle Post. 2004. Retrieved 2004-03-11.
  2. ↑ "Music News". Triple J. 2005. Retrieved 2005-03-05.
  3. ↑ "The Cops To Return For Exclusive Shows After Seven Year Hiatus". theMusic.com.au. 2015-04-17. Retrieved 2015-04-17.
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