Australian punk band CIVIC are back with a fresh sound and an ambitious new album, Chrome Dipped, due for release on 30th May. The band’s latest single, ‘The Hogg’, reveals a bold sonic evolution while retaining the raw energy that made them known.
The track, named for its “disgusting sounding riff,” blends the aggression of their early work with new musical territory, exploring themes of human consciousness and the role of machines. As frontman Jim McCullough notes, the song reflects “finding peace and gratitude in being out of your depth in a foreign place or world.”
The track’s juxtaposition of fierce musicality and delicate lyrical imagery, including the striking line “sunshine on the ocean floor”, makes for a captivating listen, and fans can watch the accompanying video now below.
‘The Hogg’ follows the album’s title track, which received early support from the likes of Stereogum, NME, and Brooklyn Vegan. Brooklyn Vegan even included Chrome Dipped in its “50 Albums We’re Anticipating for Spring 2025,” calling it “a breakout from the bare-bones sound they had on their first two records.”
The band, completed by bassist Roland Hlavka and drummer Eli Sthapit, worked with Australian singer-songwriter Kirin J. Callinan as producer, alongside legendary engineer Chris Townend. The result is a record that pushes their boundaries while still staying true to their gritty punk roots. Callinan even suggested the unconventional recording location at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Tasmania, providing a far cry from their previous DIY efforts.
As guitarist and vocalist Zac Hodgson explains, “We kind of stuck to the rules a little bit earlier on, like, do Australian punk rock properly… but after touring around the world, it’s like, you can really do whatever the fuck you want. And so it’s fun to just kind of let go.” The band’s experimentation with their sound marks a departure from their earlier material, and as Hodgson puts it, “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.’”
CIVIC will be taking Chrome Dipped on the road in support of the release, starting with a run of dates in the US, including their appearance at Punk Rock Bowling in Las Vegas on May 24th-25th. The tour also includes stops in Seattle, Los Angeles, New York City, and more. Following their US leg, the band will hit the UK and Europe, including their performance at 2000 Trees Festival in Cheltenham.
For a more in-depth look at the making of Chrome Dipped, CIVIC are preparing a behind-the-scenes documentary that will offer a glimpse into the physical and emotional journey that inspired the album. Watch the official trailer here.
Album tracklist:
- The Fool
- Chrome Dipped
- Gulls Way
- The Hogg
- Trick Pony
- Poison
- Amissus
- Starting All The Dogs Off
- Fragrant Rice
- Swing Of The Noose
Tour dates:
- May 24th-25th | Las Vegas, US – Punk Rock Bowling
- May 28th | Reno, US – Holland Project
- May 30th | Seattle, US – The Vera Project
- June 7th | San Diego, US – Soda Bar
- June 30th | Bologna, IT – Freakout Club
- July 8th | Manchester, UK – Gullivers
- July 9th | London, UK – Moth Club
- July 10th | Cheltenham, UK – 2000 Trees Festival
For full tour dates, pre-order Chrome Dipped, and more, visit here.
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