Tokyo Police Club Proud of Canadian Rep: 'We're Like Donuts and Beavers'

Posted on Apr 18th 2011 4:30PM by Anne T Donahue
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In an age where eccentricities often overshadow music, Tokyo Police Club have chosen to reject outlandish antics. Ironically, though, the Toronto-based band have a built-in gimmick thanks to their citizenship.

"So many bands have a flavor, and you can sum them up real quick if you want -- boom, boom, boom," frontman Dave Monks tells Spinner. "And it's not a bad thing, and it's probably a good thing that they project themselves in a certain way. We've never consciously done that but I was talking to my friend about it, and he was saying, 'In the States, you're Canadian -- that's a thing.'"

"We're like donuts and beavers to a whole bunch of people," he adds, laughing.

Despite their recognition as Canucks, the Newmarket natives reveal they've never felt part of the "Canadian gang," and have remained "pretty independently minded" in terms of approaching their work.

"We're certainly proud to be Canadian, but it's never been a conscious thing," says Monks. "If we can do that -- if our record takes the good news of Canada elsewhere -- that's awesome. I feel like Toronto's finally becoming recognized as like, not just a 2003 musical burst, it's like Seattle or New York or L.A. -- it's just like it's own thing."

"Canadians need to be told how awesome they are," he adds. "They don't realize ... And you can travel far and abroad, but [that] Canadian reputation is known everywhere."

Watch Tokyo Police Club's Video for 'Bambi'
In terms of reputation, the Juno-nominated four-piece have chalked up their success to their musical efforts as opposed to their public persona -- an approach they consider relatively rare in the wake of paparazzi-based society.

"I love the Kayne record," says Monk. "But [no matter] how f---ed up that record is or how much crazy s--- is on it ... it's half about the record and half about [his antics].

"Everyone's trying to out-crazy each other and do a lot of ridiculous s--- and it becomes, 'Oh they have this in their song' or 'Their album cover's this. Hopefully people still like songs that are just good songs. It seems like such a basic set-up."