Official word came through overnight that WOTT favorites Bad Cop have signed a record deal with ROIR (or Reach Out International Records, if you’re not into the whole brevity thing). Boasting an impressive roster that include some of the finest proto-punk ever committed to tape (Um… MC5, Flipper, Bad Brains, Television, New York Dolls, Johnny Thunders or Suicide, anyone?), ROIR seems like the perfect home for our local boys done good.

Creep over to the band’s page on the ROIR site to stream three new tracks from their debut LP which should be coming our way in Q1 of 2010. In a very refreshing move, it seems they’ve re-recorded several tunes from their debut EP/demo, which I’ve spun on the radio show almost every week since it took over my eardrums this past Spring. Be sure to download the newest of version of what should be a hit-ass single, “One in the Same” while you’re there. And hey, while you’re here, go ahead and snag their new jam, “Time After Time”. Please note that the tune presented below is not the final version or mix that will appear on the long player.

Bad Cop are one of those rare bands that have the perfect combination of tunes, vibe, attitude and drive to truly take their art to the masses. These guys are not content to toil in the indie ghetto year after year, as so many other Nashville-based have done. They’re young, hungry and they want nothing short of the world. And y’know, I think they just might get it all.

-Joe Baine Colvert

• Bad Cop – Time After Time

Local institution Hammertorch have released Big Softies, for free, over at last.fm. You can download it with no strings attached right here. There’s really not a good reason why you shouldn’t do it, so please proceed.