Like most new acts, the New York-based rock band Interpol has experienced its share of unexpected delays, bumps and jolts that come with riding the local train to musical success.
But since the release of its first album, “Turn on the Bright Lights,” in August 2002, the group, which plays on “The Late Show With David Letterman” Wednesday night and at the Metro (3730 N. Clark St., 773-549-0203) Sunday, has found itself on the uptown express.
After four years of sorting out its musical direction and lineup, the band has gone from support act to headliner in just a few months on the strength of its highly praised debut.
“The nice thing about this whole thing is the reaction to the album,” says guitarist Daniel Kessler. “The ultimate is that people have really taken to the album, and that’s the best way. And it’s definitely changed things for us.”
“Turn on the Bright Lights” thrives on sonic textures and thought-provoking lyrics, kicking off with an enigmatic tune, “Untitled.”
“It’s sort of a song that we’ve always opened our set with for a long time, and the idea behind it was that it was kind of a good way to ease an audience into the music,” explains guitarist-singer Paul Banks.
“We didn’t have a specific intention as to what the album would be like or what the music would be like at the start,” says Banks. “I think it’s just literally the music that comes out of us is that way.”
Although “Turn on the Bright Lights” has earned high marks, that hasn’t spared Interpol from comparisons to other bands, particularly the late ’70s/early ’80s British group Joy Division. While many critics have drawn parallels between Interpol’s music and Joy Division’s moody post-punk sound, the band views the connection as off base.
“For us, it’s not where we come from,” says Kessler. “So it’s a little bit difficult. I don’t think we’d have any fault if it were like a band that we really loved. … But on the other side it’s OK that you remind people of something. That’s the way it goes.”
