Interviews: CIVIL VILLAINS

Ladies and gentlemen, today we have the pleasure of introducing the dynamic and electrifying rock band, CIVIL VILLAINS, hailing from the UK. With their unique blend of alternative rock and punk, this three-piece outfit is quickly making a name for itself in the music scene. To stay updated on all their latest news and performances, be sure to follow them on their Facebook page.

 

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

As a break from the usual early-twenties pattern of nights in someone's flat paying Fifa and drinking Red Stripe, we used to have these occasional social events called Gents Night, where we’d put on suits and start the night with poker and a cheese board, pretending we were considerably fancier than we actually are. As the wine and whisky flowed, the ratio of civility to debauchery would tip in favor of the latter. We wanted a name that would reflect the two sides of these evenings, as they were important social moments to us. Plus, all the Ls, Is and Vs are just cool looking!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I don’t think it was ever a conscious decision - It’s probably happened quite naturally that we’ve ended up playing the kind of music we do due to the sort of music we were exposed to growing up. I do however think we all enjoy being challenged a bit and enjoy the craft that goes into working out more complicated song structures, hence some of the weirder time signatures and jagged nature of some of our tracks.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

We go way back. James and Mark were at primary school together, and Mark and Toby met at a village youth club at age 11. All at secondary school together, James and Toby became good friends around 15, solidified on a camping holiday in Cornwall; once you’ve taken a fifteen-hour overnight train together, that’s it - you’re friends for life.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

James: Fugazi

Mark: Alexisonfire

Toby: Queens Of The Stone Age

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Lyrically, I (James) have been really inspired by writers like Aldo Leopold, Wendell Berry, Sophie Raeworth, Roman Krznaric, Philip K. Dick, and there’s always films and cultural references that I always seem to come back to. Sometimes I think the tone and mood of the song almost sets out the subject for you - that’s definitely been the case for some of the more atmospheric tracks on the album. As for the songs, I think things usually come about quite organically from noodling around. We’ve tried to stop approaching songwriting through the lens of other songs or bands we like, and then it’s usually just a case of us either feeling it or not and workshopping tracks bit by bit, maybe allowing ideas we’ve heard elsewhere to percolate in at those later points. I find it’s often the case that when a song’s finally finished that it’s very hard to remember where the original idea even came from.

6. Where was your last gig?

The 101 Social, is an awesome and intimate community space in Margate, England. 

7. Where would you like to play?

We’re yet to book any dates in Europe and would love to jump over the channel at some point to play some shows.

8. Who would you like to support?

We’re big fans of ‘68 and even filmed a live music video for them a few years back - it’d be a dream to share a stage with the powerhouse that is Josh Scogin. Other bands like Mclusky and Tigercub come to mind.

9. Who not?

We’ve played some great gigs with eclectic line-ups, but have found that it’s sometimes difficult for us to find the right shows for our sound - there’s been many a time an audience has looked on dumbfounded by our heavy weirdness as we’ve been routinely sandwiched between poppier offerings - so to that end I guess we’d like to not play with bands that are too dissimilar to us for that reason.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

All the time! I think all of us have had shaky hands or butterflies at some point at most of our gigs - it comes with the territory! We have a little pre-show ritual where we group hug and wish each a good show and that usually puts us in good stead when the adrenaline is pumping. Also, no one knows your songs like you do, that’s good to remember when you are feeling anxious and might be making mistakes here and there.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

We’ve supported listeners a few times and their work ethic when it comes to touring is phenomenal. There are too many bands to list here when it comes to groups that have influenced or inspired our musical ideas, but bands like The Mars Volta, Modest Mouse, The Pixies, and a lot of 90’s bands from the Pacific Northwest crop up often in our conversations. Kaki King is a huge inspiration when it comes to me (James) playing guitar.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

When we played in Narragansett in Rhode Island, USA, one person approached us after the gig and asked us to say a bunch of random phrases, all so that they could listen to our ‘quirky’ English accents. A fan also asked to keep a couple of Toby’s drumsticks after playing a punk show at a frat house in Eugene Oregon, not in itself weird but it was the first show of the tour and he was worried if that continued he might not make it to the last!

13. What do you think of your fans?

Anyone who takes the time to come listens to us, say hello, or buy some merch is a hero in our books. We’ve met such wonderful people from all walks of life through playing gigs and sharing our tunes - it’s an honor to be able to connect with people that care about music as much as we do.

14. What do you think of our site?

It’s got a great mixture of interviews, features, and single releases, nice job!

15. Something to add?

We’re just really proud of our forthcoming album and hope that as many people as possible get to hear it. Keep in touch with us at - https://www.facebook.com/civilvillainsband