Civil Villains release their second album A Sleeper, Underneath on 8th May. They’re coming to Brighton to share their new noise, and have got Quaking Aspens and Total Melt along for the ride! Tickets £8 advance, £10 on the door.

Civil Villains are an alt-rock/post-hardcore trio from southern England, known for blending intricate, off-kilter structures with raw, honest emotional weight. After early singles recorded at Brighton Electric with Josh Harrison, the band released their debut EP Snake Oil and later their debut album Motion Sick, recorded with Mike Bannard at Shaken Oak Studios. Their forthcoming second album, A Sleeper, Underneath, marks a shift toward something more open and instinctive. While still rooted in the band’s characteristic contrast — angular guitars, dynamic structures, and unpredictable rhythms — the new material leans into clarity, space, and emotional immediacy. Renowned for their raw live performances, Civil Villains have shared stages with Sparta, Listener, Poly-Math, Bellevue Days, and Kid Kapichi, and have toured independently across the UK and North America, including festival appearances in London, New York, and Quebec City.

Quaking Aspens are an ethereal dream-rock outfit carving their name into Brighton's vibrant music scene. Since relocating to the city in 2022, they've swiftly established themselves in the local music scene and beyond, appearing on the BBC Introducing Live Lounge as well as lighting up stages from festivals like Homegrown and The Alternative Escape, to more intimate settings for Sofar Sounds and the Bella Union Vinyl Shop Sandwich Sessions.

Their sound is a lush collision of electric guitars and intricately layered vocals, weaving together influences from alt-rock, grunge, and shoegaze. Underpinned by driving rhythms, their music has been described as both visceral and evocative.

total melt? more like total shit