The Civilians

The Civilians first kicked down the doors to the Austin music scene in 2002, quickly establishing a word of mouth reputation that drew crowds to such venues as Stubb’s, Flamingo Cantina, and the dearly departed Steamboat. After some initial changes in lineup, founding Civilians Tommy Tynes (drums), and Travis McGuire (vocals/guitar) reunited with childhood friend Justin McLemore (bass) for chemistry that you would have to see to believe. Their unique brand of pop-core has evolved over the years and is electrified by the band’s camaraderie, spawning a cohesive sound and raucous, energetic live shows where there is never a dull moment.
The Civilians’ style could only have germinated in Austin, stemming from the trio’s diverse palette of musical influences in rock, funk, jazz, and reggae. Pop-core would be an oxymoron in any other city with any other band, but perfectly describes the Civilians’ exuberant, versatile sound. They explore various genres but always maintain an intuitive pop sensibility that keeps crowds dancing and are not afraid to viciously rock out. They play fast and loose with conventions, scoff at so-called scenes, and take mischievous pleasure in toeing lines, creating a unique musical fusion that has something for everyone. The addition of McLemore to the group has brought with it a great deal of original material that embodies the band’s vibe, but don’t be surprised to hear a cover or two. The Civilians playfully cover staples like James Brown and Weezer, but with their own special twist.
Having recently completed their first EP with local producer Justin Sadowski, the Civilians are returning to the streets to do what they do best: jam the roofs off of clubs in Austin and beyond.