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By Vinnie Apicella
Let's face it, for a band to be carrying around a banner such as the
one these four guys out of the bowels of blue-collar capital Pittsburgh,
PA. There's plenty o' room for false assumptions, misunderstandings
and misinterpretations for those who don't know the truth. With their
first full length "A New Kind Of Army," Anti-Flag established themselves
as amongst the more socially distressed-outlined with the "United
we stand, divided we fall" idealism, the idea was to rally around
unity while rebelling against the oppressive nature of government-the
"flag" flies free in the face of false hope and the misguided principals
under "for which it stands" are hung out to dry under a red, white,
and blue canopy of poverty, war and corruption-our tax dollars at
work? "Underground Network" took their stance to the next level, saw
the maturation of their sound, opening the channels of communication,
furthering the determination of their lyrics with historical examples,
all within a not so easily digestible mix of Punk Rock priorities
awash with anthemic melodies fueled by resistance, rage and revolutionary
intent.
Me: Anti-Flag is among the more socially conscious
bands in the Punk scene. What motivates your music?
Chris #2: Well obviously if we're angry you
wont see happy Pop tunes to go along with it... so in that sense the
ideas we try to spread influence our music, however, music in general
is a huge influence. For me, I'm influenced by Blink 182 and N'SYNC.
I'm influenced by them to not sound like that or portray the sexist
image that bands like that sometimes assume, so to me the world around
me influences my music.
Me: It's evident that the band is based on unity
and against forced oppression, governmentally motivated-which is of
course a traditional motivator with the history of Punk, so what lies
at the root of all these issues you air out on your records?
Chris #2: Well to be honest it's simple, we
are going to be a band, we are going to be politically active, we
are going to take a stand on issues we think are wrong... think go
unnoticed, until they become noticed and change. The root will always
have to be bring about positive change through our music.
Me: When did you first get your start and who
were your early influences leading up to today, musically or personally?
Chris #2: Well for me bands like the Dead Kennedys,
The Clash. and even Green Day influenced me to be this way. I heard
Punk Rock on the radio (Green Day), and I was interested and looked
into it... I found a whole new world, which was exciting! So this
makes me think that Punk becoming more mainstream is a plus...if someone
hears "Punk" on the radio and looks through the Punk Rock section
of a record store and stumbles across an Anti-Flag record and goes
to a show, finds community, finds family, and looks into the other
aspects of the music, the lifestyle...
Me: And could you imagine the looks on the faces
of Lydon or Vicious back when they were first doing this at the thought
of Punk becoming mainstream! So back then, before Anti-Flag existed,
who would you have been?
Chris #2: Definitely, The Clash and Dead Kennedys...
Me: And still the 'Pistols are laughing. two
different breeds, of course. While the politicking style and challenging
subject matter are more in league with Hard-Core groups ready to cave
the head of commercialism, yours is a more accommodating listening
style-edgy and catchy, and so where do you place yourselves in today's
overcrowded scene?
Chris #2: I'd still say just Punk Rock. I think
if what you're playing is drowning out what you're saying what's the
point? The message is far superior to the music for us... although
we care about them both very much!
Me: Are "A New Kind of Army" and "Underground
Network" the same thing?
Chris #2: Well no, they're 2 different records,
however, the main theme of "Underground Network" is communication
and alternative methods to meet and make change happen.
Me: Between those two records the band jumped
labels and didn't miss a beat. Why the change and what's your assessment
of the music scene-or behind the scenes maybe with regard to the industry?
Chris #2: Fat wanted to do a record, so did
we... it wasn't a big plan or ordeal. They asked we accepted. One
of the better things about Fat is they put the record in more shops
and in turn gives us more of a chance for our music and more importantly
our message to be heard!
Me: On "Underground Network" you spell out specific
issues like "Vieques, Puerto Rico: Bikini Revisited" "Panama Deception,"
"Culture Revolution." There's a degree of intuitiveness and honor
that prevails in your music that you can't help but stand up and take
notice.
Chris #2: So many people tell me we have helped
to inform them and bring changes-it is an awesome thing that means
so much to us.
Me: You're an East Coast band now on a label
that's been instrumental in growing the whole West Coast San Fran.,
and So.Cal based scene-Describe where you're coming from.
Chris #2: Pittsburgh... hard working, blue collar.
it is Punk Rock! It gives birth to new Punk bands everyday...
Me: Have you guys always been this cynical, even
before you had a forum to convey your message--Do you also think that
too much seriousness can work against you?
Chris #2: Yes, that's why we lighten it up sometimes.
you'll end up killing yourself if you do it any other way!
Me: And staying then within this context of "lightening
up" at the conclusion, is Jagr still a Penguin at the start of next
season, or do they unload him? (Obviously predating the blockbuster
offseason moves that are probably still leaving Ranger fans with their
jaws dropped!)
Chris #2: Yeah he's in Washington now... It's
okay, that's more money for the Pens to spend to build a team around
Mario... oh yeah!
Check out [www.anti-flag.com]
for more info.
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