The Cops (Australian band)

Last updated

The Cops
Origin Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres Rock
Years active2003–2008, 2015–2016
Labels Love Police Records/Reverberation
Illustrious Artists
Inertia
Past membersSee Members section
Website Official website

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

Contents

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.

The band released a new single, entitled "Move Over Money," in September 2015. On 6 October 2015, it was officially announced that founding guitarist Jimmy Stacks was to rejoin the band. Ultimately, the reunion ceased activity in 2016, with Carter returning to making music as a solo artist.

Band members

Timeline

The Cops (Australian band)

Discography

Albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
AUS
[4]
Stomp On Tripwires
  • Released: 2004
  • Label: Love Police Records & Tapes (LPRT001)
  • Formats: CD, DD
Drop It In Their Laps
  • Released: 2007
  • Label: Inertia (IR5225CD)
  • Formats: CD, DD
59

Extended plays

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
AUS
[4]
The Cops
  • Released: August 2004
  • Label: Reverberation (REV004)
  • Formats: CD, DD
80 in the Shade
  • Released: 2006
  • Label: Inertia (IR2513CD)
  • Formats: CD, DD
90

Singles

Performances

Festivals

Supporting

Awards and nominations

AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2007 [5] [6] "80 in the Shade"Best Performing Independent Single or EPNominated

Jack Awards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Something for Kate</span> Australian alternative rock band

Something for Kate are an Australian alternative rock band, which formed in 1994 with Paul Dempsey on lead vocals and guitar, and Clint Hyndman on drums. They were joined in 1998 by Stephanie Ashworth on bass guitar and backing vocals. The group have released seven studio albums: both The Official Fiction (2003) and Desert Lights (2006) topped the ARIA Albums Chart; while Beautiful Sharks (1999), Echolalia (2001) and Leave Your Soul to Science (2012) reached the top 10. Two of their singles have reached the ARIA top 20: "Monsters" (2001) and "Déjà Vu" (2003). The band have received a total of 11 nominations for ARIA Music Awards in 1999, 2001 and 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Birdy</span> Australian alternative rock band

Little Birdy were an Australian alternative rock band formed in Perth, Western Australia, in 2002 by singer and guitarist Katy Steele, drummer Matt Chequer, guitarist and keyboardist Simon Leach, and bass guitarist Scott O'Donoghue. They gained public attention when their single "Relapse" gained popularity on alternative radio stations such as Triple J, leading them to be signed by the record label Eleven: A Music Company. They released three studio albums, two EPs, and ten singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Butler Trio</span> Australian rock band

The John Butler Trio are an Australian roots/rock band led by guitarist and vocalist John Butler, an APRA and ARIA-award-winning musician. They formed in Fremantle in 1998 with Jason McGann on drums, Gavin Shoesmith on bass and John Butler on vocals. By 2009, the trio consisted of Butler with Byron Luiters on bass and Nicky Bomba on drums and percussion, the latter being replaced by Grant Gerathy in 2013. After both Luiters and Gerathy exited the trio in early 2019, bassist OJ Newcomb and drummer Terepai Richmond joined the band, accompanied by touring musician Elana Stone on keyboards, percussion and backing vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Waifs</span> Australian band

The Waifs are an Australian folk rock band formed in 1992 by sisters Vikki Thorn and Donna Simpson as well as Josh Cunningham. Their tour and recording band includes Ben Franz (bass), David Ross Macdonald (drums) and Tony Bourke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Am I</span> Australian rock band

You Am I are an Australian alternative rock band, fronted by its lead singer-songwriter and guitarist, Tim Rogers. They formed in December 1989 and are the first Australian band to have released three successive albums that have each debuted at the number-one position on the ARIA Albums Chart: Hi Fi Way, Hourly, Daily and #4 Record. Nine of their tracks appeared on the related ARIA Singles Chart top 50 with "What I Don't Know 'bout You", their highest charting, at No. 28. You Am I have received ten ARIA Music Awards from thirty-one nominations. The band have supported international artists such as the Who, the Rolling Stones, Sonic Youth and Oasis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gyroscope (band)</span>

Gyroscope are an Australian rock band from Perth, which formed in 1997 as Gyroscope Sunday. The members are Daniel Sanders as lead vocalist and on guitar, Zoran Trivic on guitar and backing vocals, Brad Campbell on bass guitar and backing vocals and Rob Nassif on drums. As of 2014 the group has released four studio albums on major labels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Whitlams</span>

The Whitlams are an Australian indie garage band formed in late 1992. The original line-up was Tim Freedman on keyboards and lead vocals, Andy Lewis on double bass and Stevie Plunder on guitar and lead vocals. Other than mainstay Freedman, the line-up has changed numerous times. From 2001 to 2022, he was joined by Warwick Hornby on bass guitar, Jak Housden on guitar and Terepai Richmond on drums – forming the band's longest-lasting and best-known line-up. Four of their studio albums have reached the ARIA Albums Chart top 20: Eternal Nightcap, Love This City, Torch the Moon and Little Cloud. Their highest charting singles are "Blow Up the Pokies" and "Fall for You" – both reached number 21. The group's single, "No Aphrodisiac" was listed at number one on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1997 by listeners of national radio station, Triple J. In January 1996 Stevie Plunder was found dead at the base of Wentworth Falls. Andy Lewis died by suicide in February 2000.

Butterfingers are an Australian hip hop group from Brisbane, Queensland. Most of their releases are on their own label, Valley Trash Records. They are currently signed to New World Artists.

Daysend were an Australia melodic death metal band formed in 2002 by mainstays Aaron Bilbija on guitars and Meredith Webster on bass guitar. They were joined later that year by Wayne Morris on drums. From 2003 to 2006 their lead vocalist was Simon Calabrese, who was replaced by Mark McKernan. The group released three albums, Severance, The Warning and Within the Eye of Chaos, before disbanding in May 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Youth Group</span>

Youth Group is an Australian rock band based in Newtown, New South Wales. Built around the vocals of singer Toby Martin and production of Wayne Connolly, the sound of Youth Group is reminiscent of indie rock artists such as Teenage Fanclub, Pavement and Death Cab for Cutie.

Epicure were an Australian progressive rock band formed in Ballarat, in 1996 as Pima's Little Finger. Their original line-up was Juan Alban on vocals and guitar, Tim Bignell on bass guitar, Michael Brown on guitar, Luke Cairnes on guitar and Dom Santamaria on drums. "Armies Against Me" and "Life Sentence", were picked up by national youth radio, Triple J. These appeared on The Goodbye Girl, their third album. Both tracks were listed on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2003, whilst the title track of their next extended play, Self Destruct in Five, made the Triple J Hottest 100, 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dirtbombs</span> American garage rock band

The Dirtbombs are an American garage rock band based in Detroit, Michigan, notable for blending diverse influences such as punk rock and soul, while featuring a dual bass guitar, dual drum and guitar lineup. The Dirtbombs were formed by Mick Collins as a side project and started recording songs by 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faker (band)</span>

Faker are an Australian alternative rock band, formed in 1996 by mainstay Nathan Hudson on lead vocals, piano and guitar. They have released three studio albums, Addicted Romantic, Be the Twilight and Get Loved. Their highest charting single, "This Heart Attack" (2007), peaked at No. 9 on the ARIA Singles Chart. The group disbanded in December 2013, but they announced their reformation in October 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue King Brown</span>

Blue King Brown are an Australian urban roots ensemble formed in 2003 in Byron Bay by mainstays Nattali Rize and Carlo Santone. They have released three studio albums, Stand Up, Worldwize Part 1 – North & South – which reached the ARIA Albums Chart top 50 – and Born Free. They have toured nationally and internationally; and supported concerts by Santana, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Damian Marley, the John Butler Trio, the Cat Empire, Silverchair, Dispatch and Powderfinger.

<i>Drop It in Their Laps</i> 2007 studio album by The Cops

Drop It in Their Laps is The Cops' second studio album, released in April 2007, and marked a radical change of direction from the band's earlier work. Described by the band as an expansive pop/rock opus that showcases the best of the 80 in the Shade EP and new tracks recorded during the year prior to release, the album was co-produced by singer/songwriter Simon Carter and highly regarded Australian producer Paul McKercher, with minor production credits to Magoo and Kim Moyes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Fergusons</span>

The Fergusons were a five piece alternative rock band from Perth, Western Australia.

Bird Automatic are an Australian alternative indie-pop five-piece band based in Sydney. Bird Automatic consists of Chris Bradstreet (guitar/vocals), John-Henry Pajak (drums), Chris Toole, Alex Sholler, and Simon Hamblin (synthesizer).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blind (band)</span>

Blind was a Christian rock band formed in Wollongong, Australia in 1999 and consisted of Greg Bell (guitar), Adrian Deck (drums/vocals), Andrew Nicholls, Michael Molkentin (bass) and Chris Stewart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pollyanna (band)</span>

Pollyanna was an indie rock band that formed in Sydney, Australia in early 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spazzys</span> Australian pop punk band

The Spazzys were an Australian pop punk band, formed in 2000 by twins Katerina and Lucy Ljubicic, with their schoolmate Alice McNamara on drums and vocals. Their cover version of "My Boyfriend's Back" peaked at number 24 on the ARIA Singles Chart.

References

  1. "Untitled". Newcastle Post. 2004. Retrieved 11 March 2004.
  2. "Music News". Triple J. 2005. Retrieved 5 March 2005.
  3. "The Cops To Return For Exclusive Shows After Seven Year Hiatus". theMusic.com.au. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  4. 1 2 Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 66.
  5. "2007 Jagermeister AIR Awards Nominees Revealed". inthemix. 2 November 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  6. "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association . Retrieved 18 August 2020.