“We have a rule that every album has to be vastly different, otherwise we get bored. We need to challenge ourselves,” explains Simon Carter from the Cops, who after a long wait have returned to the airwaves and the road with Drop it in Their Laps , the much anticipated follow-up to their debut album Stomp on Tripwires .
“We wanted to make an album that was the antithesis to Stomp On Tripwires. The opposite of a low-fi garage record, which is a polished commercial pop album. It was really difficult but incredibly enjoyable and rewarding.”
There was no doubt that the album would be vastly different from the much-acclaimed debut. Between album number one and album number two, The Cops made some drastic changes. First, three of the five members left the band. The band also left their label, and their management. Simon says it was a tough time.
“We basically went right back to the beginning again, where it was just me and Beck [Darwon, bass player/keyboardist/quality control officer] and we had to work our way back up, get new members, a new label. We finally did it.
Everyone in the band is still really good friends though. Once a cop, always a cop!”
Having overcome events that would have been the downfall of a less driven or flexible band, The Cops have returned to the airwaves and the road.
On the back of an extremely successful national tour, of which all shows but one (in Ballarat) sold out, they’re joining fellow Sydneysiders Expatriate for the ‘Strange Creatures’ double-headline tour of the country.
The huge turn out and the new line-up’s enthusiasm for the fresh Cops material meant that the recent Cops tour was the most fun the band has ever had on tour, so he is excited to get back in the bus with Expatriate along for the ride.
The bands don’t know each other particularly well as yet, but what better way to get to know other people than to travel with them, sharing small spaces (and big venues) with them day in, day out.
“We didn’t know Expatriate well when we first talked about it but we’re getting to know them, which is exciting.”
It could be the start of something beautiful.
“They’re lovely guys and they live close to us. We both know of each other’s bands but we’re getting to know each other personally, which will be fun.”
The Cops’ music is imbued with brilliant pop sensibilities, and should sit well beside Expatriate’s brand of intelligent pop rock.
“I absolutely adore their music,” says Simon. “Ben [King] is a phenomenal songwriter and his love of melody and choruses really struck a chord which me because I love that too.”
Sharing is caring, so each night, the bands will rotate timeslots and therefore alternate official headline status.
The Cops are very ingrained within the small Sydney rock scene, which has its pluses, for example when you are in need of suitable band members, but the band relish the opportunities to see the other areas of the country that are buzzing with a love of music and an enthusiasm towards the live variety.
“Plus, it’s good to get away from Sydney sometimes!” It seems big when you’re here but when you go away you realise it really is so small. And it’s good to get away from people you see all the time and meet new people you haven’t played with; haven’t pissed off!”
It’s good to have them back.
