Anti Flag mix catchy choruses, with some pop-punk and street punk influences, and very committed lyrics about social issues, in the vein of Propagandhi, Satanic Surfers and Randy. The band just released their first record on Fat Wreck Chords, “Underground Network”, and we had to talk a bit with Chris#2, the bass player and a vocalist for Anti-Flag. He explained his thoughts on the band, their messages their involvement in politics and some other stuff.

By: Carlo Gironi

Carlo:How is it going with the new record just come out, I just heard it and I think it is a great record, not only the music but also the lyrics…
Chris #2: I think this new record is our best yet, I am pleased at the response it is getting.

Carlo:For your new album you changed label, from Go Kart to Fat Wreck…why did you change and did you find any differences between the 2 labels?
Chris #2:Fat Wreck gets our records into more shops so people can actually get their hands on it.and
that’s al we wanted, was some way for people to hear what we are doing.

Carlo:Do you like the bands that are on Fat ( of course I bet you like Good Riddance and Propagandhi…any others) ?
Chris #2: Big In Japan, Teen Idols (Honest Dons), Less Than Jake and a ton of others Fat has a great line up.

Carlo:You also run a label called AF…with such bands like The Unseen…how is it going with the label? What will be your next releases?
Chris #2: There is a ton of new releases coming from A-F :The Methadones (feat. Members of Screeching Weasel) Pipe Down, and some others.

Carlo:You sing a lot about politics, the governement and that things and I guess you believe in what you do…do you think the kids read your lyrics or just have a teenage rebellion?
Chris #2: I totally feel that people understand what we are about and trying to accomplish, so many kids tell me how this music has changed their lives and tings of that sort.to me it really makes a difference.

Carlo:You went touring with such bands as A New Found Glory…what do you think of that kind of happy pop-punk, which is pretty different from what you do?
Chris #2: I think as long as the music is passionate it’s a good thing, it has to be real and from the
heart.

Carlo:Sometimes ago there was around a voice that said not to smoke at AntiFlag shows becasue the singer was sick…what happened exactly?
Chris #2:Justin is allergic to smoke so we try to do our shows non smoking so he can breathe.

Carlo:Someone said you sound allot like Uk Subs, Blitz or Business…do you think it is true? So, which are your main influences?
Chris #2: I love the Uk Subs so to be compared to them is nice. I like all music.

Carlo: The booklet of your CD, I think it’s really well-done…I saw also an Anti WTO sign….what’s your position towards WTO, the Globalitation and that stuff?
Chris #2: I think it’s a total farse, and needs to have something done about it

Zinn, Matthew Rothschild and some Fact Sheet about Puerto Rico, I guess to stress theimportance of your message…do you believe it is important to keep politics and music so close?
Chris #2: With us it is, I understand its not the position for all bands.

Carlo:I haven’t hear all of your albums, just some old songs like “Tearing Everyone Down”…did your sound changed from your first record to “Underground Network” ?
Chris #2: I think the band matured but in a good way.

Carlo:You come from Pittsburgh…are there a lot of punk bands over there or just afew?
Chris #2: Pittsburgh is very punk.

Carlo: I read the lyric of “Spaz’s House Deconstruction Party”…what’s that song aboput exactly?
Chris #2: A house destruction party our friend Spaz had.

Carlo:On the cover of “Die For The Government” you were in three…are you in four now? why did you take a new memebr?
Chris #2: Andy quit, so we got chris head as a bass player I came in and Chris moved to 2nd guitar.

Carlo:Always on that cover, there is a flag of ths USA on the wall, and it is attached on the contrary…are you Anti the American flag only or Anti the flag in general ?
Chris #2: All flags we need to unite as one people with one struggle.

Carlo:What do you consider “flags” nowadays ?
Chris #2: Pieces of fabric.

Carlo:Did you go to cast your vote for the president election?
Chris #2: Yes I voted Nader.

Carlo:Political question: the court-martial didn’t condemn the general that was commanding the submarine that killed about 5 japanese students on a boat some months ago, becasue he was american obviously…how do you see this?
Chris #2: As a total farse, how else could it be seen?

Carlo:Question from your fan: “what are your real names? we all know justin sane and pat thetic are not your real names for example…I mean, come on, just insane…pathetic :)”?
Chris #2: Those are real.

Carlo: “Seattle was a Riot”…some newspapers and magazines said there were only anarchist kids that wanted just to break some shop-windows , but do you think it’s true?
Chris #2: No, that’s just the medias way of not telling the truth about hwat really went down.

Carlo: Your album is called “Underground Network”…what do you think of common ways of spreading news, like the medias, newspapers, etc…do they really say only what they should say or what the “conservative capitalists” tell them to say?
Chris #2: Exactly.

Carlo: Last question: are you going touring?
Chris #2: Yes.

Carlo: Where ?
Chris #2: We haven’t fully decide yet.look for us in the fall.

Carlo:Thanks so much , hope to see you soon ! Final comments?

Chris #2: Feel free to write us here : A-F , p.o. box 71266, Pittsburgh PA 15213, and visit our website www.anti-flag.com . Thanks for the interview!