Interview with Anti-Flag!

Finally, on Radio Punk we have the interview with Anti-Flag, the historic anarchist band from Pittsburgh, which with its particular punk rock always makes us wild under the stage, with its powerful and addictive shows.
Bass player Chris #2 answers our staff’s questions. Well, enough small talk, enjoy the interview and do not miss them on their European tour!

RADIO PUNK: Hi! Let’s start the interview with thanking you and saying that it’s a great pleasure to have a chat with you. We enjoyed very much, both in headphones and live, your last two records, which we can consider a double album. What are your plans for the future? Are you planning any new releases?
Anti-Flag: there is a plan in the works to close this chapter of Anti-Flag. We are working on it now. Don’t have too many details but it will complete the story of American Spring and American Fall.

RP: Surely, at least musically, there has been a change since the beginning. What led you to this evolution? Is there anything you miss from the early days as a band?
AF: honestly not really. We’re just better at playing and we’re able to pull off the ideas in our heads. Of course when you’re a shitty musician you’re limitations sometimes lead to very cool accidents, but we prefer where we are now musically. But still love the songs we’ve created in the past.

RP: Among the songs of “American Fall” there is one that stands out from a musical point of view, namely “When The Wall Falls”. In the past you have made other ska style songs, such as “Bacon” or “That’s Youth”, with positive results. But how do you choose the style of a song? Are you planning to experiment with other genres in the future?
AF: short answer? Always. We love all types of music. That song just felt right performed that way.

RP: Your performance in Italy at the Bay Fest 2017 last summer left everyone speechless and for many it was the best performance of the festival. This summer you will be back in Italy for three dates, are you ready? We have seen you live many times, and on every occasion, you transmit pure energy: is there any particular moment that you remember about a concert?

AF: that’s very kind. Bay Fest is one that we would love to do again. Such a beautiful place, such kind people, great vegan food… awesome festival.

RP: Back to “American Fall”, what is your favourite song on the album and what is the most fun to play?
AF: wall falls, trouble, the criminals… there’s a ton we love.

RP: You often speak about the political and social situation in the world. In the United States as in Europe, xenophobia and nationalism are becoming increasingly widespread, though the memory of fascism and Nazism is not so distant. Why do you think these ideologies continue to spread?
What is your opinion at the moment about the current political situation? Do you have any hopes for the building of a better society?
AF: we always have hope. Anti-Flag is predicated upon the idea that we can find commonality that is not based on where we come from, the color of our skin, the amount of money we may or may not have, our sexual identity, or other divisions, but our humanity. The world is changing. Neofascism is holding on to old ideology, to the last grasps
of power they have, they’re using these divisions to separate us, thus lessening our ability to fight their rhetoric… it’s a tactic that on the surface is working, but more and more young people are being turned on to the politics of empathy. Those are the people that will leave the world better than they found it.

RP: How did the collaboration with Spinefarm Records start? What do you think about the majors and the music business in general, given your punk attitude?
AF: we think that selling records is capitalism, we are not believers in that system, but it is the one we live in. We try to work with people who are kind and just, so far Spinefarm has been that. We want our records available and priced fairly. We’ve worked with assholes at majors, we’ve worked with assholes at independent and DIY labels.
Shitty people are everywhere, that’s why we try our best to get a real understanding of the situation before we agree to work with someone. And why we have had mostly successfully working relationships for the most part as a band.

RP: What is punk for you? Do you think it is possible to remain punk facing certain political and social issues, in an anarchist, anti-capitalist and anti-authoritarian key, even within the music
business, which on the contrary is based on money, compromises and hierarchies?
AF: it is political. Because everything is political. How you spend your money, the things you wear, what you put in your body. All of these things. Punk rock is against the status quo. The status quo is profit before people, it’s squeezing the planet like a lemon for its recourses. Living with empathy, giving a fuck about more than just yourself is punk rock. It’s that simple.

RP: Your last work is rich in clear and direct contents, including the notes at the bottom of the booklet. Your concrete active involvement in the struggles and taking social issues seriously through events and concerts make you a model for many people. Do you think that this attitude is being lost or strengthened (by bands and audiences alike) when you look at the punk scene?
AF: we can’t speak about what other bands do. We want to make sure in the digital age when less and less people are buying physical records that the ones who do, they get the full story on the album and it’s inspirations and songs.

RP: Talking about your story, when you started playing, who were your influences? Would you ever have thought about getting where you are now and how do you feel about being able to live from what you love to do? What drives you to continue after so many years?
AF: I just wanted to play punk rock. I didn’t care how. Just wanted to express my angers and frustrations, my love and my empathy. Billie Joe Armstrong and Green Day were the band that opened that door for me. Now I just want to be a part of a story that is a band tried their best to fight racism and nationalism, homophobia and transphobia,
bigotry of any and all kind.

RP: We are almost at the end, still one last question. In such a delicate historical moment the importance of music and its messages is fundamental, in fact with your latest album, “American Fall”, you have demonstrated it, giving continuity to your story. Have you ever had problems with politicized lyrics? And why in your opinion do many bands in the punk scene tend not to take sides, not to see the problems that surround them, not to denounce what is wrong in the world … after all, isn’t this the soul of punk?

AF: fear. People are afraid of being called out for their own hypocrisy, and that fear doesn’t allow them to truly be free. We’ve had issues with our lyrics, places that wouldn’t let us play, places not allowing us in their country, but it’s not a deterrent. We want to make the decisions that are best for our ability to share what we believe, not to allow fear to dictate to us.

RP: We would like to thank you and Hub Music Factory. We leave you to the free space where you can tell our readers whatever you like.
Thanks again for your passion and for the contents you transmit in every song! Until next time!
AF: can not wait for the shows! Always a lovely time in your country. See ya in the pit!

Interview by Stef, Chiara Piva, Gabriele Marangoni, Elvira Cuomo, Tom, Zoe