Whether you like it or not, being in an all-girl, or even just a female-led, punk rock band is going to expose you to all those lazy but inevitable comparisons with the likes of The Distillers and Bikini Kill etc. Indeed, trying to simply carve yourself a reputation as a unique and identifiable artist seems almost impossible under these circumstances, despite the fact that many such groups have been among the most distinctive in the genre. This is likely to be the same categorization that will be applied to LA all-girl punk group Civet. However, while the raspy growl of vocalist Liza Graves does bear some similarities to that of Brody Dalle, the music to be found on the band’s latest album ‘Love & War’ sounds more in tune with the likes of Rancid and The Offspring, due to its distinguishing use of melodic guitar riffs and gang vocals.
Following their performances on the Lock Up Stage at last year’s Reading and Leeds festivals, Civet are back with their fourth album ‘Love & War’, the follow-up to 2008’s ‘Hell Hath No Fury’. This time around, the band have been reduced to a duo having lost both members of their rhythm section towards the end of 2010. Led and produced by remaining members Liza Graves and guitarist Suzi “Homewrecker” Carmichael, ‘Love & War’ is an album of punk rock ferocity, tinged with straightforward rock’n’roll and bruising energy.
The album gets off to an electrifying start with a menacing bass intro to opening track ‘Can’t Go Back’, which precedes a song that satisfyingly blends Liza’s snarling vocals with a brutal blast of breakneck hardcore punk. Elsewhere on the album, such as the lead single ‘LA Nights’, Civet can be found to create a much more melodically-paced sound, blending uncontrollable rock’n’roll with an infectious and dominating rhythm. More of the band’s influences can be found frequently, such as on the track ‘Come On (I Wanna Be Your Girl)’, which pays homage to ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’ by The Stooges with its irresistibly familiar riff.
Four albums down and Civet are just beginning to create a respectable name for themselves within the punk rock scene. Despite the challenges that lie ahead with regard to their inevitable pigeon-holing, on ‘Love & War’ Civet have managed to make a strong effort in trying to set themselves apart from other female-led rock groups and characterize themselves as a good punk band, full-stop.
Stereoboard Rating: 6/10
’Love & War’ will be released on 21st February
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The album gets off to an electrifying start with a menacing bass intro to opening track ‘Can’t Go Back’, which precedes a song that satisfyingly blends Liza’s snarling vocals with a brutal blast of breakneck hardcore punk. Elsewhere on the album, such as the lead single ‘LA Nights’, Civet can be found to create a much more melodically-paced sound, blending uncontrollable rock’n’roll with an infectious and dominating rhythm. More of the band’s influences can be found frequently, such as on the track ‘Come On (I Wanna Be Your Girl)’, which pays homage to ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’ by The Stooges with its irresistibly familiar riff. 
