14 January 2023 – single review – by Bec Harbour
I saw CIVIC play the support slot for Pennywise and the Circle Jerks last year, a more unforgiving slot I cannot think of, people did turn up early and CIVIC were received very well. Their sound came across a lot more abrasive live, which is what you want from a support slot for two of the most legendary punk bands out of California. Their new single ‘Blood Rushes’ has that studio polish that a lot of bands that have a certain sound live, either lose in translation or deliberately knock the rough edges off.
‘Blood Rushes’ sees the Melbourne based 5 piece gearing up to release their second LP Taken By Force (released 10 February), after their well received 2021 debut Future Forecast, a frantic slab of noise that matched their live energy and received praise from punk legend Henry Rollins. ‘Blood Rushes’ is a solid old-school punk anthem in the vein of The Saints or Radio Birdman (both cited as influences) with an almost pop sensibility underlying in its cadence which almost pays a debt to Husker Du. The song begins with some big sounding drums and takes us on a journey through new love and trying to protect that new thing, while getting caught up in the blood rush of it and the rest of the world. It’s a great song and hopefully those that recognise the band from the Pennywise tour and thought they were good will pick this up and have a listen.
On the track, vocalist Jim McCullough says “My verses are about new love and trying to protect that in a violent world, like trying to keep a candle alight in a cyclone,” Guitarist, Lewis Hodgson adds “It’s about wanting to have your own world away from everything, wanting that feeling to last a little bit longer before it all comes crashing down.”
Fans of CIVIC will be able see if the rough edges are added back to ‘Blood Rushes’ or if this is the new sound for the band. CIVIC are touring to support Taken By Force end of March through early April.
TAKEN BY FORCE ALBUM TOUR
Friday, March 31 – Sydney, Crowbar
Saturday, April 1 – Brisbane, Brightside
Thursday, April 6 – Perth, Lynott’s Lounge
Friday, April 7 – Adelaide, Jive
TICKETS ON SALE NOW HERE
Taken By Force, is out February 10 on Cooking Vinyl Australia, you can pre-save/pre-order the album HERE. Blood Rushes is out today and is available on all streaming platforms HERE.
Feature image by Marcus Coblyn.
