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Rockezine
Is
Past
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| Anti-Flag |
| with Chris a.k.a. #2 on Apr 25, 2002 |
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| Did signing to Fat Wreckords make recording ‘Mobilize’ easier? Yes and no! We released ‘Mobilized’ on A-F Records because it’s great to do new releases on your own label. That’s what punk rock is about! However recording a record for FAT (Underground Network) has been a helpful experience. So when we started recording Mobilize we weren’t wasting as much time as we used to and were more focused on the task of recording. We’re planning on recording a new album for FAT Wreckords in the fall. | |||
| How is A-F Records doing? The Unseen have left A-F Records and signed to BYO. They’ve outgrown our label; we couldn’t offer them the support they needed anymore. They are doing very well at the moment. Some new bands on A-F Records are PipeDown and Virus Nine; both from the West Coast; The Code, a band sounding a bit like Operation Ivy; and we’ve got The Modey Lemon, one of the first two-piece bands around. | |||
| Do you tour with A-F Records bands? Oh yes we do. We did an American tour with, on the West Coast, amongst others PipeDown and Virus Nine. On the East Coast there where The Code, Strike Anywhere and Good Riddance (FAT). It’s pretty cool to do a package tour with A-F Records bands; it gives us a chance to show the people what the label is all about. For more info check www.a-frecords.com. | |||
| What is the big difference between a live Anti-Flag show and a studio album? When recording a song you’re stuck with about two and half minutes, whilst on stage you can do whatever it takes to get the message over. The reactions and respect we received from the crowd surprised us. We weren’t sure whether we’d be looked upon as if we were aliens. We weren’t expecting all the positive reactions we received today. | |||
| Do you feel Europeans react differently to Anti-Flag’s lyrics and music than Americans do? It’s obvious Anti-Flag’s lyrics mainly concern American political and social topics but the main idea of Anti-Flag “no flags, one people living in a unified whole” applies to the entire world and its population. Even though American nationalistic feelings have flared up after the ninth of September Anti-Flag continues to spread its message of co-operation, unity and striving to achieve positive goals. | |||
| In your letter to the New York Times you mention artists have some kind of responsibility towards the public to address the motives and actions of the government (and goons).
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| Do you feel Anti-Flag is achieving that goal and making a difference? Also, did the New York Times give you a reply to or print the letter?
I totally do! I walk venues a lot after the show and often people approach me, even if it’s only one person who approaches me and tells me Ant-Flag’s lyrics have had a positive influence! The New York Times did write back, they told us we missed the deadline so they didn’t print our letter (if you want to read this letter it’s posted at www.anti-flag.com). | |||
| Does being straight edge make touring easier? Touring is easier for us but we still end up standing in cigarette smoke all night. I’m sure I smoke enough, perhaps up to a pack a night just standing on the stage. Do that every night for a month and it will take its toll. | |||
| How come Anti-Flag’s the opening act on this tour with Donots and Millencolin? We’ve never been overseas before so we were quite happy when Millencolin offered to take us out on tour with them. We would never be able to fill a venue this size or draw crowds like Millencolin does. Furthermore Millencolin usually sells out venues so we get a chance to play before a different crowd and reach out to even more people. | |||
| Where would you like to take Anti-Flag in the future, or what will the future bring for Anti-Flag? Hopefully there won’t need to be an Anti-Flag, hopefully the world can see its problems and can live peacefully. Until that day we will be striving for the things we strive for; ending war, ending sexism, homophobia and racism. People looking out for people! | |||
| Do you get visits from Uncle Sam every time you release a new album? We sent some CD’s overseas and were made to pay extra tax on them even though all the proper arrangements had been made. Worse though is the fact that the postal employees throw away a lot of mail addressed to Anti-Flag. Most of the mail we receive is addressed to A-F or A-F records. Which is bad since a lot of kids order CD’s through post and send along some money with their letters. After the ninth of September we’ve been receiving even less mail addressed to Anti-Flag. | |||
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To contact Anti-Flag write to:
(Sven Svenson) |
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