CIVIC embrace alt-rock tradition on broodingly reflective "Chrome Dipped"
Australia's steady stream of top shelf alternative rock exports has reached torrential force in recent years, unleashing a steady stream of energetic, compelling acts that have taken the world by storm. Melbourne’s CIVIC stands ready to join their brethren with the title track from their impending fourth LP, Chrome Dipped, and a sound that finds the band boldly catching a new wave.
“Chrome Dipped” is a mid-tempo slow burn that foregoes the jagged punk elements and reckless surf-inspired athleticism of the band’s earlier releases in favor of a tempered approach that falls more in line with alt-rock stylings prevalent in the genre’s 90s heyday. For a band whose sonic foundation is built on the unchecked recklessness of proto-punk and the muscular brutalism of hardcore it’s a radical departure, but signals that CIVIC has greater expressive aspirations and refuses to remain boxed in by expectations. The track’s mellow, brooding cadence simmers with atmospheric harmonies and raw, down-tuned instrumentals recall the bleak, disconnected sensation of In Utero-era Nirvana, reverently polished to a show-ready shine that mirrors the band’s affinity for alt-rock tradition.
Director Marcus Coblyn takes a no-frills approach to the video for “Chrome Dipped,” fixating the lens directly on the band with minimal effects and sparse integration of impressionistic interludes in a manner that reflects the 90s alt worship of the track in visual form. Layered frames and hard lighting form the connective tissue between scenes cast in stark monochrome or saturated in an overpowering orange hue, the band flickering like flames in brightly polished metallic surfaces, a juxtaposition of living heat and the cold, chrome dipped essence of whirring machines.
Chrome Dipped is available May 30th via ATO Records. Pre-order and pre-save here. Stream “Chrome Dipped” on Spotify and follow CIVIC on Instagram.
Upcoming Shows
North American Tour Dates
5/24 & 5/25 - Punk Rock Bowling - Las Vegas, NV
5/28 - Holland Project - Reno, NV
5/30 - The Vera Project - Seattle, WA
5/31 - Polaris Hall - Portland, OR
6/3 - Bottom Of The Hill - San Francisco, CA
6/6 - The Echoplex - Los Angeles, CA
6/7 - Soda Bar - San Diego, CA
6/11 - Pearl Street - Washington, DC
6/12 - Foto Club - Philadelphia, PA 6/14 - Middle East Upstairs - Boston, MA
6/13 - TV Eye - New York, NY
6/16 - The Baby G - Toronto, ON
6/17 - The Sanctuary - Hamtramck (Detroit), MI
6/18 - Schubas - Chicago, IL
6/19 - 7th Street Entry - Minneapolis, MN
Australian Tour Dates
4/5 - Festival Hall - Melbourne, AU *
4/6 - Hindley Street Music Hall - Adelaide, AU *
4/8 - Hordern Pavilion - Sydney, AU *
4/9 - Fortitude Music Hall - Brisbane, AU *
4/11 - Fremantle Prison - Fremantle, AU *
UK/EU Tour Dates
6/24 - Dabadaba - San Sebastian, ES
6/25 - El Sol - Madrid, ES
6/26 - Loco Club - Valencia, ES
6/27 - Upload - Barcelona, ES
6/28 - Helldorado - Vitoria, ES
6/30 - Freakout Club - Bologna, IT
7/1 - Punkadeka Preview @ Magnolia - Milan, IT
7/3 - Voodoo - Belfast, UK
7/4 - Workmans Cellar - Dublin, IE
7/5 - Luca Records & Skate Shop - Waterford, IE
7/6 - Kasbah - Limerick, IE
7/8 - Gullivers - Manchester, UK
7/9 - Moth Club - London, UK
7/10 - 2000 Trees Festival - Cheltenham, UK
7/12 - Sjock Festival - Antwerp, BE
7/13 - Ratinger Hof - Dusseldorf, DE
7/14 - Privatclub - Berlin, DE
7/15 - Goldener Salon @ Hafenklang - Hamburg, DE
7/18 - Ravnedalen Live - Kristiansand, NO
7/19 - Bukta Festival - Tromso, NO (with DJ set that night)
7/24 - Paradiso - Amsterdam, NL
7/25 - Supersonic - Paris, FR
7/26 & 7/27 - Binic Folk Blues Festival - Binic, FR
*Support for Sex Pistols feat. Frank Carter