Tokyo Police Club finally gets the party started

[Correspondent Frank Farrar subjects himself to some of Tokyo Police Club's tactics:]

A couple of years ago, these guys couldn’t get arrested. But on the strength of a couple of EPs and singles, and a slot at Coachella this year, Tokyo Police Club quickly sold out its Wednesday night Troubadour show and had the place abuzz.

Actually, it took awhile for things to catch fire. Going for the obvious with “Cheer It On” as the opener, with its hook based around a “Tokyo Police Club” chant, the Canadian group sounded proficient but somewhat staid for a unit channeling dance punk and nerd rock. Twenty minutes into the set, though, the band tore through its smash-worthy new single “Your English Is Good” -- and Graham Wright’s throbbing keyboard line, Josh Hook’s guitar blasts and bassist-vocalist David Monks’ campaign-ready chorus of “Give us your vote” brought things to a peak, igniting the party for the rest of the night.

Monks is the focal point, with Hook stepping out of the shadows only for an occasional shout vocal -- which, in the best communal moments, is met with a shout right back from the crowd. There’s a Weezer-like winning spirit of high schoolers playing a backyard garage party, but the precise, energetic delivery takes TPC to another level. (Note: For an encore, described by Monks as “the first cover song we’ve ever played,” they chose the Rentals’ “Friends of P.”)

The wrapped it all up in 45 minutes, but that was enough time for plenty of tunes. These guys know the value of brevity and most songs clock in at way under three minutes. (Their first EP, “A Lesson in Crime,” churned out seven songs in about 16 minutes.) Last week, the group signed to Saddle Creek Records, but a full-length CD isn’t expected until February. For fans who can’t wait that long: After spending the next couple of months trekking across the U.S., Canada and England, they’ll be back here at the El Rey on Oct. 23.

Photo from tokyopoliceclub.com