Western Civ
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
"The boys from Alabama played a truly impressive set that went beyond even what we’d seen or heard from them previously. They’ve begun to work in more harmonies and moments of nuanced arrangement that build on what was already an impressive sound. And much like Gold Streets, they played some newer material that has us anxious to hear the new full-length they’re working on. Also, we were happy to learn that the band plans to move to Chapel Hill, NC after the new year, which will put them just a bit closer to New York and will hopefully make it more likely that they’ll be able to return soon." - StereoactiveNYC.com
Floc members, Western Civ have finished laying down the tracks for their new record and will be returning to the studio to mix in June. Visit westerncivrock.com or join the Western Civ group to stay up to date. You'll want to be one of the people that can say, "I was listening to them way before they were everybody's favorite band".
Chris Bowie - Fans of Left of Center newsletter on Facebook (Jun 2, 2008)
- Chris Bowie - Fans of Left of Center newsletter
We liked this album right off the bat...but continued to spin it for about a week before writing this. Western CIV is a great band with great songs. The band's tunes could best be described as pop...but it is by no means the kind of predictable stuff you may be accustomed to hearing. The tunes on the curiously-titled Shower the People You Love With Gold swagger and sway all over the road as they make their way to your mental destination.
Read Full Review here:
http://babysue.com/2009-March-LMNOP-Reviews.html#anchor68271 - babysue.com
"American Pines" offers a respite from the fractured verses thanks to Henderson's most transparent couplet: "Languished in a desolate town/ It was the worst that I've found," he sings just before the song launches into a paroxsym of noodling that'd actually make Stephen Malkmus smile. Let's hope the line is reference to his Alabama days, as we'd rather not lose these guys.
Read The Full Review Here:
http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A294779 - The Independent, Chapel Hill, NC
Making bug-eyed, imaginative Indie Rock with wiry guitar texturing and effective, spectral melodies, Alabama-bred quartet Western Civ released its debut EP in late 2005, having spent a few years writing and recording several albums' worth of material. This past spring, the band finally leaked more material, via its debut full-length, Remington Steel Magnolia.
You'll Dig It If You Dig: Built to Spill, Modest Mouse, Pavement. - Cincinnati City Beat - Mike Breen
"...the record reveals an honesty that is missing from many of today’s up-and-comers. (About the LP, Remington Steel Magnolia)"
"The best quality of Remington Steel Magnolia is the players’ ability to come together and achieve their specific, fuzzy sound, rather than focusing on the performance of individual members. Even the lead vocal is treated as just another instrument in the mix, which usually works in the band’s favor." - Performer Magazine - William Cane
"Under the guidance of veteran producer Mitch Easter (R.E.M., Pavement), Western Civ has honed its brand of meandering and complex indie rock. Shower The People You Love With Gold is crisper than the band’s 2007 effort, Remington Steele Magnolia, and it certainly features more eclectic instrumentation (think children’s toys and metal folding chairs). Still, the album adheres largely to Western Civ’s original sound: rambunctious guitar melodies intertwined with spasmodic yet strangely infectious vocals."
Full article here: http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2009/03/15/free-mp3-from-western-civ/#comments - Magnet Magazine
Western Civ has linked up with veteran producer Mitch Easter (R.E.M., Superchunk, Pavement) in their new home state of North Carolina. The indie foursome will commence recording their third record in May 2008 under Easter's guidance at his Fidelitorium Studios in Kernsville. - CMJ Music News - Lora Kolodny
"(Western Civ) ...does a nice job of harnessing its layered sounds to melodies that make the most of them."
-Jim Abbott
Full review here: http://redeye.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/orl-cal-cd-review-western-civ-032009,0,1634001.story
- Chicago Tribune
"Shower the People is completely accessible and yet still maintains in being completely cool. And it was released on some weird anti-label called NoMoreFakeLabels. What's cooler than an anti-label? Nothing. Nothing's cooler than that. I give it 4 stars."
Full Review here:
http://crawdaddy.wolfgangsvault.com/Article/Dont-Sleep-Western-Civ.html - Crawdaddy Magazine
Discography
Western Civ released their Debut EP "Regent Kingfish Slumberpad" in December of '05.
Then in 2007 they released the LP, "Remington Steel Magnolia."
The new album "Shower The People You Love With Gold" was produced by Mitch Easter (REM, Pavement, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Birds Of Avalon, southern culture on the skids and more) and was released in 2009 to much critical acclaim!
All of Western Civ's releases are available through most online retailers and can be ordered from your local record shop through super D distribution.
Here's a list of some of the radio stations currently playing Western Civ...we hope to keep adding to this list periodically, so check back for updates!
First airplay on Sirius XMU on 12-8-10!
FM stations playing Western Civ:
(UPDATE: with 80+ FM stations now playing Western Civ, this list is just not updatable! :)
*RadioX
94.7FM, 94.9FM and 104.5FM
Long Island's only Alternative
http://www.radiox.fm/
*"General Eclectic," WCVF-FM, 88.9 FM Freedonia, NY (SUNY)
*WDYN 100.1FM -
Rochester, NY
http://www.wdyn.net
*"Great American Music Hour" on WRIR FM 97.3 in Richmond, VA
*Trent Radio 92.7 FM in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
*WNCW 88.7 FM - Spindale, NC (network)
92.9 FM - Boone, NC
100.3 FM - Charlotte,NC
97.3 FM - Greenville, NC
*WPVM 103.5 in Asheville, NC
*WVOF 88.5 FM -Fairfield, CT on "The Upper Room With Joe Kelley" on Mondays from 4-8 pm EST.
WRUW 91.1 FM- Cleveland, OH
www.wruw.org
WUSB 90.1 FM-Stony Brook,NY
www.wusb.com
KAOS 89.3 FM- Olympia, WA
http://KAOS.evergreen.edu
KYCY 1550 AM-
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
KBUT Crested Butte CO
KCSS Turlock CA
KDUP Portland OR
KLCR Dubuque IA
KSLU-1 St. Louis MO
KTCU Fort Worth TX
KWUR St. Louis MO
RLC Piscataway NJ
SFR Boston MA
WCWM Williamsburg VA
WGMU Fairfax VA
WHUS Storrs CT
WMHB Waterville ME
WRCU Hamilton NY
WVOF Fairfield CT
WVUD Newark DE
WXDU Durham NC
WECB Boston MA
WMXM Lake Forest IL
Online Radio and podcasts:
*East Village Radio NYC: www.eastvillageradio.com/index.php
*KRFC, RadioFreeColorado - a Live365 founding station, webcasting since July 11, 2000.
*The indie Connection -NY
http://www.indiecx.com
*exposedradio.com Podcast #11 includes "Of Her Many Newfound Splendors." Podcast #18 contains a full review of the EP, samples of three songs, and the full version of "Stingray Blanket"
*aeschtunes.com
* Lazlo's Den, blowupradio.com
* RadioMarmalade on 365 LIVE!
*indielimelightshow.com
* Radiocrystalblue.com
*slabradio.com
*Clea's Cave: www.live365.com/stations/clea8
*Ghost Rider Radio: www.ghostradionet.com
*insomniaradio.com
here is a quote they sent us when we submitted with them.
"You recently submitted your music to us and frankly it rocked our socks off!"
--Insomnia radio team
*Jamestown Radio (Jamestown Music Inc.): www.jtownmusic.com
*upbeatradio.com
*Take One Radio: www.live365.com/stations/stingermedia
*IndiElectronica Online Radio Station: http://www.indielectronicaonline.com/
*E-RadioBiz: www.e-radiobiz.com
*J-pax Radio Show: www.jpaxradioshow.com
*KERFM: http://www.kerfm.zoomshare.com/
*Small World: www.smallworldpodcast.com
*Rea of Sound:
www.live365.com/stations/terryleefr
*Mighty Field Of Vision:
http://mightyfieldofvision.com/
*The Upper Room With Joe Kelley:
http://www.upperroomwithjoekelley.com/
*Radio-Sara:
www.live365.com/stations/stuckinthe80s
*iChannel -
www.ichannelmusic.com/index.php?nid=1
*Elkhartradio -
www.elkhartrecording.com
*Thin Pillow Music
www.live365.com/stations/thin_pillow
*WRUW 91.1FM- Cleveland, OH
Listen live online at:
www.wruw.org
*WUSB 90.1 FM-Stony Brook,NY
Listen to podcasts of past shows at:
www.wusb.com
*KAOS 89.3 FM - Olympia, WA
Listen to the web feed at:
http://kaos.evergreen.edu
*Band Radio LIVE -
http://bandradiolive.com
*Amplified Podcast #20 -
http://www.amplifiedpodcast.com/
*Rock Vacation -
Every Tuesday night at:
www.RF97.com
requests:
(rockvacation@hotmail.com) or 1-866-626-2604
*Nexus Radio (UK) - www.nexusradio.co.uk
*Buzz (Live 365)-
http://www.live365.com/stations/gatorzilla3000
*Kansas City Internet Radio-
http://www.kcia1.com
*Radio Fly 1-
http://www.radiofly1.com
*Rock God Radio -
http://www.rockgodradio.com
Sonic 1 Radio -
http://www.sonic1radio.com
*Pro Productions Radio -
http://www.proproductionsonline.com/radio.html
*SubTrax Nation -
http://www.live365.com/stations/subtraxnation
*Chelmsford Rocks (UK) -
http://www.chelmsfordrocks.com
*i Like 2 Rock!
http://www.iLike2Rock.net
*Midnight Masquerade
www.live365.com/stations/midnightmasquerade
*Radio Enigma
http://www.radioenigma.com
*Highspeed Radio
www.highspeedradio.com
*Curtrog Radio
http://www.live365.com/station
Photos
Bio
Western Civ is contributing their versions of Goldheart Mountaintop Queen Directory and My Valuable Hunting Knife to the upcoming Guided By Voices tribute album which includes The Flaming Lips, Blitzen Trapper, Thurston Moore, Kelley Deal and Buffalo Killers, Crooked Fingers, Elf Power, La Sera (Katy Goodman of the Vivian Girls), James Husband (Of Montreal), Jason Isbell (formerly of The Drive By Truckers) and more! Set to release in early 2011 on No More Fake Labels.
Press for this project has been amazing thus far. Here are just a couple of the media outlets covering the tribute:
Pitchfork:
http://pitchfork.com/news/40475-thurston-moore-cymbals-eat-guitars-blitzen-trapper-added-to-guided-by-voices-tribute-album/
NME (UK):
http://www.nme.com/news/thurston-moore/53521
Rolling Stone Music News:
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/51942/224667
Clash Music (UK):
http://www.clashmusic.com/news/guided-by-voices-tribute-album
Western Civ also plans to release another full LP in spring of 2011. So far the songs written for this project get back to the roots of Western Civ's sound and seem to be incorporating Rich's love of 60's garage rock as well.
---------------------
2009 in review and 2010 preview:
"Shower The People You Love With Gold" held for
6 weeks on the CMJ radio 200!It was also selected as the #23 album of 2009 by
WXDU and ranked the #8 most played NC album on WXDU!
Great ink in:
Magnet
Performer
The
Chicago Tribune (4 out of 5 stars!)
Blurt
CMJ
The Sun Sentinel (Miami,
4 out of 5 stars!)
Baby Sue (5+++ out of 6 stars!)
Crawdaddy
The Baltimore
Sun (4 out of 5 stars!)
as well as many online blogs and zines!
2009
Festivals Western Civ played:
CMJ Music Marathon (NYC)
MPMF (Cincinnati)
WeFest
(Wilmington, NC)
Corndogorama (Atlanta)
MEANY fest (NYC)
and they
opened for:
Jay Reatard
Dead Confederate
Throw Me The Statue
Jukebox the Ghost
2009 was a blast and 2010 is shaping up to be even better!! We will be releasing 2 EPs in the coming year, one live project and one studio release. The new songs are shaping up nicely and we can't wait to share them with you!! There is also going to be a Guided By Voices tribute album being made this year and Western Civ will be included along with some indie rock legends who shall remain nameless until we officially announce! So consider that a bit of inside information! 2010 is going to be a busy year and we are jumping in head first! Thanks for the support!
----------------------------
Some bands we have shared the stage with:
Jay Reatard, Dead Confederate, A Place to Bury Strangers, Mitch Easter (Let's Active), Throw Me The Statue, Modern Skirts, Jukebox The Ghost, The XYZ Affair and more!
----------------------
Western Civ
Like most bands of the indie-rock persuasion, the members of Western Civ tend to balk at efforts to define the band's sound. "Can I just tell you what it isn't?" asks guitarist/singer Rich Henderson. And it's not that he hasn't had time to mull it over-- Henderson and his longtime pals belong squarely in the catagory of musical "lifers". "I don't think I could do anything else," Henderson says, his generally-easygoing features taking on a steely edge as he makes the admission.
Despite Henderson's characteristic reticence, a few adjectives spring readily to mind when listening to the Chapel Hill, NC-based outfit's upcoming release, the Mitch Easter-produced Shower The People You Love With Gold: terms like "textured" and "intricate" might seem at odds with "infectious" and "raucous", yet any listener who's ever worn an ironic thrift-store sweater would be compelled to admit that, yes, they all apply.
The new release, due on the 24th of February, is the third from the group, whose core lineup of Henderson, Jason Briggs, and Bryan Cabler remains unchanged. The trio is frequently augmented both on stage and in the studio by cohorts Jason Hall, Kemper McDowell, and Ken Larson).
Western Civ descended on Mitch Easter's Fidelitorium Studios in May 2008 to lay the tracks for Shower, which was recorded in eight days and mixed in five. "We're ecstatic at the outcome of the new record," gushes drummer Cabler, whose enthusaism often serves as the precise opposite of Henderson's restraint. "Working with Mitch was easily the most amazing experience of my...can I call this a 'career'? Maybe I should say 'my musical life'."
Henderson, Briggs, and Cabler were all members of the same small-town Alabama high school class, and have been making music together with virtually no interruption for well over a decade. Nonetheless, they only began to concentrate on public performances and recording in 2005, when they released the self-recorded EP Regent Kingfish Slumberpad. "We decided to let the rest of the world in on what we'd been doing for fun in a practice room for ages," says bassist Briggs.
Slumberpad was followed, in rapid succession, by the band's first ta
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