Anti-Flag was originally formed in Pittsburgh in 1988. The band name originates from the experiences that the founders had in their hometown. When the two would go to local hardcore shows, they often saw patrons of the shows chanting slogans for “freedom not fascism” while waving the American Flag and sporting the flag on their jackets. However, these same patrons would constantly participate in violence against those who did not completely agree with their point of view. Justin and Pat saw the brandishing of the American Flag and using it as a tool against others as a form of fascism.

Interview by Carlo Gironi | carlo@staff.truepunk.com | with Chris#2 of Anti-Flag.

Hello Chris! How are things going with you, your band, and record label in 2006?
Everything is fantastic. We have a new Anti-Flag record coming out in 3 weeks and a tour starting in 2. A-F Records is doing the vinyl of “For Blood and Empire” and we are working on a bunch of new releases for 2006… it’ll be a busy year.

I have no idea if you remember me, but I am the guy who interviewed you in Milan, Italy, back in 2002 or so, during the Millencolin / Anti-Flag / Donots tour. So, a lot of things have changed since that time. How did you decide to leave Fat Wreck Chords and join major label RCA?
Not too much has changed, aside from a new record label we are operating in pretty much the exact way we were back when we met in 2002. The RCA agreement was a lengthy process that happened at the end of the writing of “For Blood and Empire.” Basically, major labels have been showing interest in releasing Anti-Flag records since “A New Kind of Army” was about to be released. To each we said the same thing, there will be no discussion between Anti-Flag and their label until a guarantee of complete control over each aspect involved in producing and promoting an Anti-Flag record is ours and in writing. RCA gave us that and out of the companies who we spoke to they seem like the right people to help us achieve the next natural step. We will see if this holds true in the coming months.

noticed that on your new album “For Blood And Empire”, you haven’t
been influenced by the fact that you were on a major label: I mean, some punk bands change, but you’re still 100% Anti-Flag! So, was it difficult to work on your own or did you have to convince some big boss you were doing something you wanted?
No, we had the ability to do whatever we want based on our agreement with them. Also, they knew who they were signing, I mean, they signed us because we are 100% Anti-Flag, they don’t want to change that.

On your new songs, I had the idea you sing more about American related things. While on “The Terror State” and “Underground Network” you used to deal with global issues and world problems, now you’re more specifically pointing your attention towards the United States.
Well, the policies that are conceived in the United States have impact around the world and that is the real issue we are trying to discuss on “For Blood and Empire.” I also feel like we are a more globally concerned band now then ever before.

Musically, you added a lot of new elements on the new tunes, as horns on “Hymn For The Dead” and acoustic guitars and strings on “One Trillion Dollars”. Why did you decide to experiment on more new things?
We are always trying to push ourselves musically, trying to make a better record not only ideologically but musically as well.

From the point of view of the production, did you all do by yourselves this time? I know you worked with Tom Morello, who produced your previous album “The Terror State”, but he only played guitar on “Depleted Uranium Is A War Crime”.
Tom was involved every step of the way, we worked with a co-producer named Dave Schiffman. He is an amazing engineer; he was able to give us any sound we wanted. I think this record is sonically better than any record we’ve made. Dave is responsible for that.

At the bottom of every lyrics you put comments, articles from web sites or newspapers or books, and direct links to web sites to know more about the specific things you sing about: do you really hope the average teenager who buys your album will check out things?
Yeah I think they do. I know I did when I was reading the liner notes to the Dead Kennedy’s records, and other albums that offered more than just their lyrics as information. So yeah, and based on the e-mails I get and discussions at shows, people read them and decide where they stand on those particular issues once they’re informed.

You shot a video for the first single “The Press Corpse”: I saw the
first shoots online and I think the video is going to kick some ass. Can you tell us what the song is all about and what you wanted to say in the video?
The song is about the press worldwide and specifically the cluster fuck in the United States and how the lead up to the Iraq war was handled. Supposed leftist media was beating the war drum all the way into Iraq, not questioning the U.S. and U.K. administrations. With the video we’re showing examples of how and why people should find the voice that they wish to share with the world, showing people and the visions that inspire them to take action on particular issues.

How does it feel to be seen as a punk rock rebel and share the same record label of Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson and Christina Aguilera? I know this is really a stupid question, but some people are really close-minded about that.
In the end I’m more than happy to spend the money generated by those people on Anti-Flag and the music’s messages.

Speaking of your own record label A-F Records, what are your most recent projects with that? Any interesting bands you’re working on? I heard that Much The Same and New Mexican Disaster Squad left the label.
A few of the bands have moved on to bigger labels. NMDS is now on Jade Tree, Much The Same on Nitro, but we never expected to have bands be a part of the label forever. We are releasing the picture disc LP of the new Anti-Flag record, there’s a new Intro5pect record coming, The Code are finishing up writing, Darkest Hour is reissuing a record on A-F…a ton of awesome records are in the works!

What are your future projects? I know on March 12, 2006 you start a
tour. Where and with whom? Any plans to come to Europe?
In the US we will be out with The Casualties, The Unseen, Smoke or Fire, and The AKA’s. In Europe we’ll be touring with The Unseen, A Wilhelm Scream, Red Lights Flash, and The Down and Outs. Then we are
doing all of this year’s Warped Tour.

Any final comments? Things I should have asked? Things you want to say?
For more on Anti-Flag go to www.anti-flag.com
For more on our new record go to www.forbloodandempire.com
For more on the world go to www.democracynow.org and
www.undergroundactionalliance.org

Oh, one more last thing, there is a girl in Italy named Vise, who wants to hang out with you. Next time you come to Italy, know she is waiting for you.
I’ll look out for her!