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By Andy Argyrakis Patriot Act Iconic punk band Anti-Flag doesn’t need a presidential election to fuel its political focus, though having several colorful, combative candidates certainly doesn’t hurt the flow of songwriting possibilities. Though band members have always tipped their tunes towards social and political content since their 1996 debut Die For the Government, the George W. Bush administration inspired a particularly proactive approach on their latest effort The Bright Lights of America. The album’s cover art features a business suit-clad man with an eagle’s head. “We want people to think it’s a patriotic title and think about images of hope through the eyes of an immigrant coming to Ellis Island, but we also want [them] to think of bombs currently being dropped and impending wars,” says longtime bassist/co-lead vocalist Chris #2. “There’s so much hope and potential, but unfortunately, more often than not, it’s wasted,” he continues. “We live in a time where young kids feel the need to cut themselves to have real emotion and real pain because they’ve been so numbed by society with the need for more and more or they feel they need to wear the right jeans or have the right haircut to be cool. But we’re hoping [The Bright Lights of America helps them] find the light again.” Anti-Flag last raised its political torch during the 2004 election, corralling its audience toward voter registration throughout an extensive touring trail. Though the group was commended for signing up over 10,000 teens and twentysomethings, Chris is uncomfortable with the way the cards have fallen four years later. “If [there’s] one thing we’ve learned from George W. Bush, [it’s that] whoever gets elected really does matter, even if it’s the lesser of two evils,” he observes. “Last time, it felt like a more dire battle because I felt like less people were aware of the travesty Bush was and is. We’re not out of the woods yet, but now people know and they’re looking at the Democratic candidates for solutions. I don’t think Barack [Obama] is the solution to anything, but I believe hands-down he’s better than Hillary [Clinton] and the biggest reason doesn’t have a single thing to do with either [one’s] policy. If Hillary gets elected to office, over the last 24 years we would have had two families dictating our lives and that’s ridiculously scary to me! I feel like that’s not a democracy because it kind of feels like kings and queens and monarchs to me!” Though this train of thought is certainly worth considering, Anti-Flag has faced its fair share of ruffled feathers over the years (particularly with more conservative-minded listeners). While no amount of controversy has ever deterred the guys, one wonders how signing with a major label like RCA in 2006 helped or hindered their efforts. “When we signed with RCA, we put protections in the deal because we knew there was a potential to fail,” Chris explains. “Just because we signed with a major doesn’t mean we’ll sell million of albums, but what we can do is spend RCA’s money and take it away from Clay Aiken or Britney Spears, which I think is pretty good.” Anti-Flag didn’t tone down its political agenda one bit for its RCA debut, ’06’s For Blood or Empire. The album was a rabble-rouser’s manifesto condemning Bush administration saber-rattling, WTO skulduggery and genocide. The band continues to spread its socio-political messages to wider audiences on the road, with an extensive spring headlining tour, opening slots with the like-minded Rage Against the Machine, plus a prominent slot at Bamboozle Left. “Opening for Rage, you often have people waiting for a band who they haven’t seen in 10 years, so it’s our job to rock them and then get off the stage,” offers Chris with a laugh. “But at an event like Bamboozle, the number of people is really exciting. It’s a really great opportunity for us to talk about the things that separate us from the average band. When you see us in those festival-type shows, it’s a good commercial for what we think, which includes ending racism, sexism and homophobia. We may play in front of anywhere from 10,000 to 50,000 people, but if 10 to 50 latch on and see us at our next show, then [mission accomplished].” But as the political quest behind The Bright Lights of America ramps up, there’s also a personal cause that cuts close to Chris’ heart. Another angle of the album stems from his sister’s recent homicide, a completely unexpected tragedy, but one he hopes will inspire others to make the most of each moment. “I know I’ll never be able to come to full closure on it, but I certainly think her death has unlocked a lot of doors inside of me,” he unveils. “That’s the more personal side of this record, but it’s still closely related to the other issues. It’s helped me realize what we have in relationships is so important, but we often focus on things that separate us because we’re unhappy with ourselves, which is so detrimental to society.” A heavy-hearted sentiment indeed, but The Bright Lights of America could quite possibly be the perfect elixir for personal healing and political productivity which, if Anti-Flag has its way, will make a difference regardless of who’s elected president. On the web: anti-flag.com |
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Copyright © 2002 Mean Street Magazine, LLC |
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