New York, NY – 17 May 2023 – Melbourne’s CIVIC – Jim McCullough (vocals), Lewis Hodgson (guitar), Roland Hlavka (bass), Eli Sthapit (drums) – will be coming to the US this fall for the band’s first ever stateside trek. The headline run kicks off in Memphis, TN on September 29th when CIVIC play this year’s Goner Fest alongside Osees, The Mummies and The Gories. The month-long run has CIVIC playing most major cities across the country before wrapping at the end of October and tickets go on sale this Friday, May 19th.
In addition to announcing the fall headline tour, the band is releasing a new single today, a cover of Beasts of Bourbon’s “Chase the Dragon” – listen via your preferred DSP HERE. The new song is part of a series to celebrate the new book Half Deaf, Completely Mad: The Chaotic Genius of Australia’s Most Legendary Producer by Tony Cohen with John Olson. Maverick music producer-engineer Tony Cohen defined Australia’s punk and rock sounds in the late ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. His long and celebrated career took him from the studios of Melbourne and Sydney to West Berlin and London’s Abbey Road, working with innumerable bands until his death in 2017. Co-writer and producer John Olson said: “These recordings feature talented Australian artists and are a continuation of Tony’s career supporting unique independent music.” When asked about covering the song for the series CIVIC’s Lewis Hodgson said, “‘Chase The Dragon’ grabbed my attention when I was a kid. Seeing it on TV I thought it was real cool. The production is hard as fuck. Almost industrial. That snare sound. The film clip suits too. Obviously a classic now. Good seedy riff with good seedy lyrics. Fun to play too.”
News of CIVIC’s fall tour and the new single come as the band wrapped an incredible run of shows in the UK at this year’s The Great Escape Festival as well as this past Spring’s US debut at SXSW 2023 that had the Austin Chronicle declaring, “CIVIC’s Tough Sound Confirms Aussie Punk Supremacy,” had Minneapolis’ The Current writing, “…CIVIC are a force on the stage…” and Philadelphia’s Magnet stating, “If there were better bands than CIVIC at SXSW this year, we didn’t hear them.” CIVIC did not disappoint those in attendance, creating a visceral, unforgettable experience with their energetic and intense sets led by the always engaging frontman Jim McCullough.
One of the most exhilarating bands to emerge in recent years, CIVIC have reimagined the reckless intensity of proto-punk for an era of endless uncertainty. Their sophomore full-length Taken By Force – an immersive and emotionally arresting body of work – follows their critically acclaimed 2021 debut LP Future Forecast. The Melbourne-based band offers up a barrage of songs matching their frenetic sound with both self-aware outpouring and incisive observation of the world around them. With the new album, CIVIC joyfully obliterate the line between furious catharsis and unbridled fun, introducing a vital new energy into today’s musical landscape. Look to experience the band live in the US for their first ever stateside tour this fall with all confirmed dates below, ticket and show info HERE and more dates to be announced!
Confirmed CIVIC US Dates
Sep-29, Memphis, TN @ GONER FEST
Oct-01, Nashville, TN @ DRKMTTR
Oct-03, Birmingham, AL @ LCY
Oct-04, Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
Oct-05, Durham, NC @ The Pinhook
Oct-06, Baltimore, MD @ Metro Baltimore
Oct-07, New York, NY @ Zone One
Oct-08, Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas
Oct-10, Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
Oct-11, Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary
Oct-12, Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
Oct-13, Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
Oct-14, Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive
Oct-15, Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
Oct-17, Seattle, WA @ Barboza
Oct-18, Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
Oct-20, San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
Oct-21, Los Angeles, CA @ Knitting Factory
Oct-22, Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room
Oct-24, San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
Oct-25, Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge
