A brand new local supergroup of sorts, LVIV are made up of members of Culte, Pting and Eye Seaweed, amongst a handful of other projects that have cropped up here and there over the last few years. While they describe their sound as “judy punk” (you’ll have to read on to find out what that means), their debut release ‘Young Libs’ manages to sound referential to each of their musical backgrounds while feeling distinctly new, thanks to the furious enthusiasm that fuels it.

Following a few warped notes from a spluttering synth, ‘Young Libs’ blasts open into a wall of noise, powered by a flurry of grimy guitar chords while a punchy rhythm section urgently pushes things along. Moments later, guitarist/vocalist Darcy Kinna emerges from the sprawl with his enraged yelp, and begins a gruelling critique of young liberals and the toxic environment that breeds them, finding a striking combination of sardonic wit and articulate condemnation. With each of Darcy’s verbal attacks punctuated by an equally fervent blast from the band, the track careens onwards, and by the time LVIV race to the finish line with an explosive chorus and rallying chant, we’re left feeling roused and ready to join their cause.

Ahead of their single launch this Thursday at The Tote, we got in touch with drummer Emma Ash and Darcy to find out a little more about the new project.

TJ: Hey LVIV, first of all, what is judy punk?

Emma: Judy punk is a term that essentially takes the piss out of cool punk music. It was made up a long time ago as a joke to poke fun at the outrageous hierarchy that is often prevalent in punk. We just wanted to forget about all of that and play. Judy punk is whatever you want it to be.

LVIV haven’t existed for very long, but you’ve been pretty quick to make a bit of a splash on the local scene. What’s the story?

Darcy: Each member of LVIV has met at some local show in the last three to four years. Most of us have been playing music over that time as well. We decided we’d take our love of Melbourne bands and thread it all together.

Talk us through ‘Young Libs’.

DK: The young liberals seem to be perpetually in the middle of an embarrassing gaff or internal meltdown. Whether it’s due to their struggle in gender diversity or severe lack of self awareness - they never get it right. We’re surprised there aren’t more songs ripping into such an easy and well deserving target.

Almost everyone in LVIV plays/has played in other local acts, how many more bands does Melbourne need?

EA: Melbourne is the best city in the world for music, and we feel blessed to be both playing with, and surrounded by, so many outstanding, diverse bands and artists. Melbourne can do with 1000 more bands - collectively we are all about community and supporting one another to be creative and that will never stop.

You’ve got your single launch this Thursday at the Tote - what else is coming up for LVIV?

EA: We have our debut tape coming out through Roolette Records, which we are super stoked about. We recorded it here and there over two months with Adam Smith from Pinch Points - we are really looking forward to finally releasing it! We will be celebrating the tape with a month long residency at The Tote on Wednesdays during September.