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Japandroids

From Alfawiki
Japandroids
Company typeDuo
IndustryMusic
Founded2006 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Headquarters
Vancouver
,
Canada
ProductsMusic albums, live performances

Japandroids was a rock duo originating from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, established in 2006. The group consisted of Brian King on guitar and vocals, alongside David Prowse handling drums and vocals.

Their initial breakthrough came with the release of their first album, Post-Nothing (2009). The follow-up album, Celebration Rock (2012), garnered widespread praise from critics,[1] with Rolling Stone including it among The 10 Coolest Summer Albums of All Time and Spin naming them Band of the Year. To promote both records, Japandroids embarked on extensive tours, performing roughly 500 concerts across 44 countries between 2009 and 2013, earning acclaim for their high-energy live shows. Their third studio effort, Near to the Wild Heart of Life (2017), showcased a more refined production style and was followed by additional global touring. After a hiatus, they released their fourth and concluding album, Fate & Alcohol, in October 2024.

The band’s sound merges classic rock influences such as Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty with punk rock inspirations drawn from groups like the Replacements and Hüsker Dü. This blend has been characterized as "one part classic rock, one part punk," which defines their unique presence within alternative and indie rock scenes.

Formation and Early Period (2006–2008)

Japandroids came together in 2006 when Brian King (guitar, vocals) and David Prowse (drums, vocals) united. Their acquaintance dates back to 2000 at the University of Victoria, where they connected through shared musical interests and attended concerts in Victoria and Vancouver. In 2003, Prowse relocated to Vancouver to study at Simon Fraser University; King followed after completing his degree in 2005. Drawing inspiration from The Sonics’ raw sound, they began crafting songs and recording in 2006. Initially searching for a lead singer, they ultimately decided to split vocal responsibilities between them. The band's name is a combination derived from two previous concepts: Japanese Scream and Pleasure Droids.

Confronted with limited live music opportunities in Vancouver, King and Prowse embraced a DIY ethos influenced by bands like Fugazi. They organized their own gigs by securing venues, renting necessary gear, designing promotional materials, and recruiting friends to help. Their debut performance occurred on December 30, 2006. Over the next two years, they regularly played shows in Vancouver while undertaking short tours constrained by King's academic schedule. During this period, Japandroids independently released two EPs: All Lies in 2007 and Lullaby Death Jams in 2008; each was limited to 500 copies and later compiled into No Singles.

In mid-2008, the duo recorded their first full-length album Post-Nothing, intending to self-release it in 2009. However, by autumn they questioned the band's longevity and resolved to disband following final performances at Pop Montreal and CMJ Music Marathon festivals. They opted to release the album without active promotion. By December 2008, King was already exploring new musical projects.

Post-Nothing Era (2009–2010)

In January 2009, Japandroids signed with Canadian independent label Unfamiliar Records, which showed enthusiasm for releasing their album despite the band's initial breakup plans. Reluctantly, King and Prowse resumed live performances.[2] In March 2009, Pitchfork honored their track "Young Hearts Spark Fire" with a 'Best New Track' accolade, significantly broadening their exposure beyond Canada.[3] The debut album Post-Nothing was released on vinyl exclusively in Canada in April 2009. Pitchfork awarded it 'Best New Music' status for its raw intensity and unrestrained energy.[4] By June 2009, Japandroids had signed with Polyvinyl Record Co.[5]

The global release of Post-Nothing occurred in August 2009 to critical acclaim, especially within Canada where Exclaim! ranked it as the second-best album of that year.[6] It was included on the longlist for the Polaris Music Prize and earned a nomination for the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year.[7][8] Internationally, it appeared on numerous year-end best-of lists including Pitchfork (#15), Spin (#16), NME (#39), The A.V. Club (#25), Pop Matters (#35), Stereogum (#21), and reached number 22 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.[9]

To promote Post-Nothing, Japandroids toured extensively and became known for their dynamic stage presence.[10] The Post-Nothing Tour encompassed over 200 performances across nine legs spanning more than twenty countries.[11] While primarily headliners during this period, they also opened for bands including A Place To Bury Strangers, Health, and The Walkmen.

The tour's commencement was delayed due to a medical emergency when King required urgent surgery for a perforated ulcer in April 2009.[12] Touring activities resumed on June 13, 2009 at Vancouver’s Music Waste festival and continued until October 27, 2010 at Hoboken’s Maxwell's. The itinerary featured major festivals such as Pitchfork Music Festival, Sasquatch! Music Festival, Bonnaroo Music Festival, Osheaga Festival, Roskilde Festival, and Primavera Sound.

Financial limitations restricted the number of tracks included on Post-Nothing. [13] Several unreleased songs were later issued as limited edition seven-inch singles during 2010—these included "Art Czars", "Younger Us", and "Heavenward Grand Prix". Additionally that year saw the release of a compilation combining their initial two EPs under the title No Singles. These releases aimed to meet fan demand during an extended touring phase that postponed their second full album until after 2011.[13]

Celebration Rock (2011–2013)

After dedicating much of 2011 to crafting new songs, Japandroids embarked on a North American tour in August and September, opting for smaller venues to experiment with their material prior to recording their sophomore album. During these performances, they introduced tracks such as "Fire's Highway," "Adrenaline Nightshift," and "Evil's Sway." Following the tour, the band temporarily moved from Vancouver to Nashville to continue songwriting, motivated by dissatisfaction with Vancouver and the difficulty of settling down after extensive touring.

On March 26, 2012, Japandroids revealed plans for their second album, Celebration Rock, which was released by Polyvinyl on June 5, 2012. This release was preceded by a limited edition 7" single of "The House That Heaven Built" on May 15. Their debut music video for this track captured a week-long tour across several US cities in spring 2012.

Critics widely praised Celebration Rock for its fusion of punk energy and classic rock elements alongside King's more developed lyrical approach. The album was honored as the best Canadian release of 2012 by The Globe and Mail and earned CBC Music’s top rock album distinction. It also secured a place on the shortlist for the Polaris Music Prize and received a nomination for the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year.

Globally, it garnered accolades including Best New Music from Pitchfork Media, a 9/10 rating from Spin (magazine), and a 4/5 score from Rolling Stone. The album featured prominently on numerous year-end rankings such as MTV (#1), The A.V. Club (#2), USA Today (#2), Spin (#3), and reached No. 37 on the Billboard 200 chart.

To support Celebration Rock, Japandroids performed over 200 concerts in more than 40 countries between March 2012 and November 2013. Their extensive Celebration Rock Tour covered North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, including headline appearances at major festivals like Coachella, Bonnaroo, Sasquatch!, Pitchfork, Firefly, Governors Ball, Primavera Sound, Fuji Rock Festival, and Laneway Festival.

On November 17, 2013, Japandroids shared a farewell note marking the conclusion of their tour after more than 230 performances. Subsequently, the band remained publicly inactive for nearly three years, sparking speculation about their future.

Near to the Wild Heart of Life (2014–2020)

Following the conclusion of the Celebration Rock Tour, the duo took a six-month hiatus in early 2014 due to fatigue. During this period, King split his time between Toronto and Mexico City, while Prowse stayed based in Vancouver. By late 2014, they reconvened in New Orleans for an intensive five-week writing session. Over the following year, they continued developing material while alternating between different cities.

Recording sessions for the album took place in fall 2015 with engineer Jesse Gander; however, mixing was postponed until spring of the next year to collaborate with acclaimed mixer Peter Katis, known for his work with The National and Interpol.

On August 10, 2016, Japandroids announced their first live performances in nearly three years beginning with a four-night residency in Vancouver. This was followed by shows across North America, Europe, and Mexico City. Later that month, additional dates were added in Australia. Promotional posters hinted at new material being introduced.

Their third studio album Near to the Wild Heart of Life was announced on October 31, 2016 through a teaser featuring live footage from their Vancouver concerts. Released via Anti- on January 27, 2017, it was preceded by a limited edition 7" single of the title track. King described switching labels as a natural evolution marking a fresh chapter beyond their tenure with Polyvinyl. The relationship with Anti- developed following an unexpected meeting with one of their representatives in New Orleans.

Ahead of the full release, "No Known Drink or Drug" became available digitally on January 10, 2017. The entire album streamed on platforms such as NPR Music and CBC Music starting January 19. To promote it further, Japandroids appeared on programs like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Later... with Jools Holland, released additional singles including "North East South West," and performed on television shows such as Late Night with Seth Meyers. Their October 24, 2017 concert at Toronto’s Massey Hall was recorded for the Live At Massey Hall concert film series and released on June 14, 2018.

The comprehensive Near to the Wild Heart of Life Tour encompassed over 150 shows across 23 countries from October 2016 through October 2018. This global itinerary included stops in North America, Europe, and Oceania alongside appearances at prominent festivals such as South by Southwest, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Primavera Sound, and Australia's Meredith Music Festival.

The tour concluded on October 17, 2018 at Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre, coinciding with Canada's Cannabis Legalization Day. The setlist featured five previously unreleased songs later identified as "International," "D+T," "Baby's," "Infinity," and "Alice." Reflecting in 2024, King noted that ending the tour on a high note facilitated stepping back from live performances.

On May 27, 2020, Japandroids announced their inaugural live album titled Massey Fucking Hall, recorded during their October 24, 2017 Massey Hall show. Released digitally on June 26 and on vinyl starting October 2 via Anti-, this live recording arrived amidst widespread concert cancellations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Prowse highlighted its significance in delivering comfort by capturing the vitality of live music during a time when touring was not feasible.

Fate & Alcohol and Disbandment (2021–2024)

In November 2021, Japandroids intended to perform their album Celebration Rock in its entirety at the 2022 Shaky Knees Music Festival held in Atlanta, Georgia, celebrating the album’s tenth anniversary. However, this appearance was ultimately cancelled, and no additional tour dates were announced. Prowse clarified the change in plans: "Initially, [Brian] was hesitant, saying, 'I'm not sure about this tour since we're still working on the new record.' That quickly shifted to, 'I'm not certain I want to tour again at all.'"

On July 17, 2024, the band revealed their fourth and concluding album, Fate & Alcohol, which was released on October 18, 2024 through Anti-. King decided to end the group in order to prioritize his sobriety and family life. The album launch was preceded by singles including "Chicago," "D&T," and "All Bets Are Off." On the day of release, Prowse confirmed the band's conclusion in a message of gratitude: "Brian and I have chosen to conclude the band’s journey with our final album, Fate & Alcohol. There will be no farewell concerts or closing tour. We are extremely proud of this record and felt it was essential to complete it before parting ways."

Addressing the breakup and their choice against touring, King highlighted the friendly nature of their decision: "It’s not as if we had a major conflict that caused us to split." Prowse noted that although Brian reconsidered touring to promote the album, they thoroughly evaluated all possibilities. "Personally, I would rather be drumming and traveling worldwide playing shows," he confessed.

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilation albums

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Japandroids - Celebration Rock
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named No Fun City Rockers
  3. ↑ Hogan, Marc "Single Review: Young Hearts Spark Fire", Pitchfork Media, March 4, 2009.
  4. ↑ Cohen, Ian "Album Review: Post-Nothing", Pitchfork Media, April 27, 2009.
  5. ↑ Polyvinyl Record Co. "Japandroids Join Polyvinyl Family", June 5, 2009.
  6. ↑ Gormely, Ian "Pop Rocks: Year In Review 2009", Exclaim!, December 2009.
  7. ↑ Polaris Music Prize "Polaris Music Prize: 2009 Nominees", April 27, 2009.
  8. ↑ Juno Awards "2010 Juno Awards Nominees", March 3, 2010.
  9. ↑ Billboard [[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] "Heatseekers Chart History"], August 22, 2009.
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named nytimes.com
  11. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named bandsintown.com
  12. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named straight.com
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Q&A: Japandroids' Brian King
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