Australia’s CIVIC have released new single ‘The Hogg’ which is named for its “disgusting sounding riff.” ‘The Hogg’ muses on human consciousness and the role of machines in the world. Its musical aggression contrasts artfully with its delicate lyrical imagery (“sunshine on the ocean floor”). The band notes:
“‘The Hogg’ is about finding peace and gratitude in being out of your depth in a foreign place or world.”
On 30th of May, CIVIC will release their third album, Chrome Dipped, via ATO Records. Eager to step beyond the raw, unmistakably Australian punk rock sound of their first two albums, the band break new ground with Chrome Dipped promising a bold evolution in their sound, pushing into uncharted sonic terrain without sacrificing the fierce energy that defines them. Having just supported Sex Pistols on an Australian tour, CIVIC will kick off their US dates with two sets at Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival in Las Vegas on May 24 and 25. This summer they head to The UK and Europe, including a stop-off at 2000 Trees Festival.
To guide CIVIC to these new sonic pastures the band tapped Australian singer-songwriter Kirin J. Callinan to produce the record, and legendary musician and producer Chris Townend to engineer. It was Callinan’s idea to spend a week recording at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Tasmania, a far cry from the outback house in which CIVIC laid down Taken By Force. Jim McCullough explains: “We’ve always done our records DIY. This time we wanted to step up and make it sound as big as we could.”
The end result is the work of a band expanding their boundaries. Guitarist Lewis Hodgson shares:
“We kind of stuck to the rules a little bit earlier on like, do Australian punk rock properly and all that. But after touring around the world and seeing what all these other bands are up to it’s like, you can really do whatever the fuck you want. And so it’s fun to just kind of let go.” He continues, “I hope people feel a little confused at first. Then a bit angry, and then feel good, and then interested, and then they feel like, ‘Oh, this is sick.’ That process exactly. I hope it’s a bit challenging.”
CIVIC EU/UK Live Dates
June
24 San Sebastian, ES – Dabadaba
25 Madrid, ES – El Sol
26 Valencia, ES – Loco Club
27 Barcelona, ES – Upload
28 Vitoria, ES – Helldorado
30 Bologna, IT – Freakout Club
July
1 Milan, IT – Punkadeka Preview @ Magnolia
3 Belfast, UK – Voodoo
4 Dublin, IE – Workmans Cellar
5 Waterford, IE – Luca Records & Skate Shop
6 Limerick, IE – Kasbah
8 Manchester, UK – Gullivers
9 London, UK – Moth Club
10 Cheltenham, UK – 2000 Trees Festival
12 Belgium, BE – Sjock Festival
13 Dusseldorf, DE – Ratinger Hof
14 Berlin, DE – Privatclub
15 Hamburg, DE – Goldener Salon @ Hafenklang
18 Kristiansand, NO – Ravnedalen Live
19 Tromso, NO – Bukta Festival (with DJ set that night)
24 Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso
25 Paris, FR – Supersonic
26 + 27 Binic, FR – Binic Folk Blues Festival
For more information on CIVIC please check their facebook and instagram.
