Art

Anti-Flag is a punk band whose music has evolved over the years to reflect the changing face of punk rock. The band originated in Pennsylvania in the late 1980s with an entirely different lineup than it currently has. They are still considered a punk band, but recent releases have caused the band to also be considered a political band because of their focus on politics and the state of the government.

Overall, Anti-Flag is still classified in the punk genre but is considered a member of the recent movement of political music that many popular artists used to speak out against the Bush administration. Anti-Flag is a punk band whose main message is accountability for action, standing up for what you believe in and being true to your beliefs.

There is a movement in the punk genre usually called new punk or pop punk that consists of bands that dress like punks and call themselves punk, but whose music contains pop music elements and instruments to make it more popular to mainstream listeners. This kind of pseudo-punk tends to feature artists that scream more than deliver lyrics and whose emphasis is on catchy melodies instead of message-driven music. Anti-Flags message of responsibility and being true to ones beliefs dont fit into this genre, making them stand apart from these newer bands. Many other punk bands, especially those that have been around a while, have tried this new punk sound. But Anti-Flag music sounds very much like it always has and they still use a lot of their old-school punk rhythms and song style.

Anti-Flag is considered by some people to be a political band because of what they sing about. Instead of singing about drugs or sex, a lot of their music is about accountability for ones actions. They do address political situations and people like former President Bush, but in terms of wanting him to be responsibility for decisions he made in terms of the war in Afghanistan and political decisions made that affect American citizens. In their song, If You Wanna Steal (You Better Learn How to Lie) the band talks about how there is a fine line between who you think you are or try to represent yourself to be in front of others and who you actually become as a person. To me, the song is essentially about being true to oneself and not doing what everyone else is doing just to fit in. You dont have to lie just because everyone else does, and you dont have to do what everyone else thinks you should do. Its about being true to who you are and what you believe in. The music of the band frequently tackles the issue of self identity and self-truth, which was often a theme for many of the punk bands that founded the punk genre back in the 1970s. Punk was used originally as a way to go against the established rules and ways of making music in favor of what was right and true to the individual, and Anti-Flag emphasizes this in their music.

Another song by the band, Turncoat, features the line, Turncoat, killer, liar thief, criminal in the protection of the government. The songs video features these words being spray painted on the wall behind the band as they sing, along with words like justice, freedom and equality. This song is about equal rights for everyone and about not letting the elected officials in our country get away with lying to the people or acting immorally. Anti-Flag openly opposed many of the actions of former President George Bush and his cabinet and during his administration they used songs like Turncoat to make their issues with him public. In the song they state that the people have a right to know what is really going on in the government and that the government should respect the people. This song is an example of how Anti-Flag uses their music to make their arguments heard. Again, they speak out against Bush because they want him to be accountable for his effect on American politics, but they are also telling listeners that they too are responsible for making informed decisions in life.

Anti-Flag often discuss political ideologies in their music, but there are other messages and ideologies being expressed as well. On the same album as Turncoat there is a song entitled, Corporate Rock Still Sucks that, in spite of its funny title, is a serious ode to individuality. The lyrics talk about people working daily jobs that they hate in the hopes of gaining the approval of their boss. The song sends the message that in doing what were told is popular and acceptable and in following the cues handed to us by the corporate giants in America, we as consumers and people are not being true to ourselves. We are, as the chorus shouts, doing as were told. Anti-Flags main ideologies, whether applied to politics or life, is to think for oneself and do whats right. Their music is about knowing who you are, standing up for that, and owning up to decisions made.

The instrumentation of Anti-Flags music goes a long way towards conveying the bands message in their songs. The songs are all fast paced and are usually short, as punk songs tend to be. In typical punk fashion they deliver a message in repetition with a shouted chorus in a short amount of time. But behind their powerful message are strong musical skills and instrumentation. Songs often feature heavy bass lines, drum solo sections, and segments of the chorus where the instrumentation drops out completely so the vocalists voice stands alone. This style has definite meaning, because doing so makes the message of the given song come through all the more loudly. The instrumentations frantic pace and loud volume makes it impossible to ignore, making it also impossible to ignore the message of the song. This is one of the reasons that punk rock has always served as a good method of delivering a loud, emphatic message, whether it was about politics, love or sex, and Anti-Flag uses it effectively to deliver their political views and messages to its listeners.

To say that only punks listen to Anti-Flag is to discount their listeners. Because the band has been around for so long, theyve retained a hardcore following that have been listening to them for decades. But with the press attention that their recent stances against the government have earned them, theyve also become newly popular with a whole new generation of listeners. Their political stance has also gained them listeners that might not normally listen to punk, but who appreciate depth and meaning in music. Anti-Flag is also listened to by non-punks that want music with meaning and a positive message for change. The fact that Anti-Flag has a relevant message to their music and that they dont just sing about girls, drugs or being punks gives them a broader listener base than some other punk bands and the fact that theyve been around for so long gives them new listeners along with longtime fans.

Anti-Flag are well known in the punk rock scene, and their music tends to be popular with alternative crowds and skateboarders. But they have not experienced a lot of airplay on mainstream radio. Most of their airplay and radio exposure comes on hard rock or alternative music stations, keeping them relatively outside of the mainstream music scene. Mainstream interest in the band increased with their most recent albums full of anti-Bush music, but for the most part theyve gained their popularity through playing live shows and gaining a following through the audiences that attend those shows. Rather than detract from their popularity, though, this method of earning fans through live shows rather than mainstream radio popularity has made Anti-Flag a punk band with staying power and loyal fans. Their message of being responsible for ones beliefs and standing up for what you believe in is one that is applicable in any genre, and that will carry on just like the band does.