Anti-Flag: a positive message

Wed 18th Oct, 2006 in Features

Although the members of Anti-Flag shamefully acknowledge being too dumb to correctly use a hypen, they may just be the band to save the world from the oppression inflicted by right wing political leaders.

It is not too remarkable the way Anti-Flag established such as firm fanbase and following in Pennsylvania, as the political climate at the time was right and they had massive amounts of motivation to begin with. However the fact that they stayed together (pretty much) and played music with the same driven meanings since the 1980s demonstrates their true dedication to the cause.

“Anti-Flag is a band that grew up around a very progressive labour movement. We grew up around people who were looking for social justice or political justice so those were the things that influenced us and inspired us from the beginning.” Says lead singer, Justin Sane. “The individuals who play in Anti-Flag are in it for something far greater than glam or bling, or Rock and Roll and shopping at the mall.”

Since they began, Anti-Flag has been practicing what they preach. They have been responsible for taking a huge part in a number of protests, supporting the punk rock scene and supporting all those in it.

“People often accomplish great things by trying. We care about the world and we care about the people in the world so it’s important to us to never give up and never say never.” Says Bassist Chris #2. “Based on the limited amount of interactions we do get, which we try to have as much as possible, I really do think people are getting it. We want to reach the younger ages because it’s all about forming a grass roots  which will last for many years and educating people rather than just sparking immediate  reactions and sudden revolutions.”

For the members of Anti-Flag, peace and compassion does not only happen through public protests and voting, all the members are very much into building a global community.

“The reason people find out about our band are not the general ways people find out about music. When we play a show we are hit on the head with the fact that people from all around the world are the same. People from Japan, Australia, Germany or wherever else can find comfort and community in our music.” says #2.

Anti-Flag have played every kind of stage throughout their musical careers. This shows that they are serious about getting their message out there. The Taste of Chaos tour in Australia is going to be another way for more and more people to hear their music, regardless of their age or demographic.

“Taste of Chaos will probably be one of those tours where we are not in our comfort zone. People are there not knowing much about the punk community or the music, but they’re there because it’s cool, ‘cause it’s a rock show and it’s coming to town” says Justin Sane “But if the Taste of Chaos organisers are providing a platform for us to get our message out to more people, we’re going to do that.  We’re never going to discriminate between where we play based on who is paying the bill. If we do that, it’s not really growing our band or spreading our message at all.”

This year’s Taste of Chaos is the only tour Anti-Flag are doing in Australia. But they have been here once before and are confident that their song themes, although mainly written from an American viewpoint, are easy to relate to for overseas audiences.

“There are times in my life where all I’ve had is the punk rock community. And at our shows we want to welcome people into that community,” says Justin Sane. “The way we spread that sense on a community on a global scale is by doing small things to show we care. If we’re playing to a thousand people and a fight breaks out, or the mosh pit people fall over on themselves, then we will not play another note until everybody is feeling good again. We’ve seen a lot of brawling punks make out.”

At this point it is easy to develop the conception that Anti-Flag are merely puppets of public relations with a well rehearsed speech for ever possible question that could be asked.  The amazing thing is, after months of being on the road, the do not seem at all fatigued or bored talking about the concepts behind their songs, their reactions are often quite the contrary and it is obvious that all members of the band have an undying passion for their mission.

“Whether we were playing to a million people or wether we were playing at a basement punk show, we would still be singing about our issues and thinking about them in our personal lives,” says Chris #2. “In a way it’s great that the kids in Australia know about George Bush and what’s going on in the United States and can get into our music on that level. One of the only good things he has done is ignighting a fire under the ass of the left and making it bleedingly obvious through the war in Iraq that all these bad things are going on in the world.”

All the passion that the members of Anti-Flag have within them is obvious. And they do actually believe that they are going to change the world in at least a small way.

“If you look up revolution in the dictionary, there is not going to be a picture of Anti-Flag next to it” says Justin Sane. “Its okay if this revolution and change does not happen by our hands, but it definatly needs to happen.”