Anti-Flag Article Regarding Signing To RCA

[Frank Giaramita]

There was an article (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05133/503641.stm) in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette yesterday about Anti-flag (http://www.anti-flag.com/main.php) signing to RCA Records. It includes some details on why the band decided on the label.

[Manbotisdead]

Uh great?

[GAD_guy]

i give them one record before RCA drops them.

[JoeT]

the deal sounds good....it'll be good to get their music out to the masses

[AshesAshes]

Geffen -- a "creepy bunch of people," according to Thetic

i like that

[TheOtherAndrew]

i give them one record before RCA drops them.
If they don't realize their mistake before the 1st record. Anti-Flag isn't a major label band at all.

[DooDooBird]

what do they know about politics? they look like a "creepy bunch of people" themselves.

[jetpackbologna]

This changes nothing. The fact that prior to this they were anti-capitalists makes them hypocrites.

[HopelessDeath]

This changes nothing. The fact that prior to this they were anti-capitalists makes them hypocrites.

He's got a point. Anti-Flag should've gone somewhere else. Although it may be good for them, which is rad and all... the major labels like these are like the corporations they preach against in their music. Hopefully this new accomplishment won't have any affect. Even though I'm not a big fan, I love what they stand for and don't midnt their music one bit.

[Cocky Caucasion]

they want to be the clash

the only problem with that is....they suck

[Don Trump]

Wow, one more band using the typical "Getting our message across" to justify their absolute 180 on a position.

[DooDooBird]

do they really think they could have changed the outcome of the election?

[romantic rights]

Wow, one more band using the typical "Getting our message across" to justify their absolute 180 on a position.

although this band actually has a message

now the rest of you stop your whining

[aminorthreat55]

This changes nothing. The fact that prior to this they were anti-capitalists makes them hypocrites.
As the great Elvis Costello once said "there is something more punk rock by being on a major label and wasting all their money" or something like that. Being on a major label doesn't make them capitalists.

[LPMagic]

Like them or not, this is a smart thing for Anti-Flag to do.

1. Their music/message will reach more people.
2. They still have control, but now it's on a major label.
3. Their pockets fatten.

I'm not really a fan so I don't know how much this move contradicts their feelings towards big corporations as some people have said. Enlighten me.

- Jeff

[brandonrocks]

good for them.

i'll buy the new record.

rca might not be able to sell them so in about 3 years we could be talking about how anti-flag is going back to fat, i'm sure FM would take em back.

[Manbotisdead]

Like them or not, this is a smart thing for Anti-Flag to do.

1. Their music/message will reach more people.
2. They still have control, but now it's on a major label.
3. Their pockets fatten.

I'm not really a fan so I don't know how much this move contradicts their feelings towards big corporations as some people have said. Enlighten me.

- Jeff

I never liked them because that was always the 1st band the pozer punk kids liked, then I stopped caring who liked what band and just realized they weren't a good band in my opinion.

[fsasatticus]

obviously, they couldnt have changed the election. however, it is true. on the east coast everyone has heard of anti-flag. here in the midwest, rarely do you hear anything about them. the deal may work, it may not. im still gonna be a fan regardless..

[Kid Defender]

Good for them. Although I do find it odd that they have signed to a major, I hope they do good. However, I do not see it lasting. The great CAVE IN was on RCA and that label did NOTHING for them. So, I do not see RCA pushing Anti Flag either.

[Cocky Caucasion]

they have stupid names like Pat Thetic and Justin Sane. I cant take this band seriously.

[Manbotisdead]

they have stupid names like Pat Thetic and Justin Sane. I cant take this band seriously.
Justin Time and Hugo First are such cooler names too.

[absolutecrunk]

Justin Time and Hugo First are such cooler names too.
I have always been a fan of Harry Ballsonya.

[Manbotisdead]

I have always been a fan of Harry Ballsonya.
Good call man, that merits some points.

[swindlington]

As the great Elvis Costello once said "there is something more punk rock by being on a major label and wasting all their money" or something like that. Being on a major label doesn't make them capitalists.
The fact that they have many songs critisizing major lables as well as saying they will never be on one makes them pretty much useless.

And besides, thier politics are watered down tripe that yield very little interesting thought amongst anyone. Not to mention that I can already find all of their albums in every single record store I go into.

[Manbotisdead]

The fact that they have many songs critisizing major lables as well as saying they will never be on one makes them pretty much useless.

And besides, thier politics are watered down tripe that yield very little interesting thought amongst anyone. Not to mention that I can already find all of their albums in every single record store I go into.
Have you ever been to an FYE?

[swindlington]

Yes, that was the only place I could find Streetlight Manifesto.

And Ant-Flag was there.

[Manbotisdead]

Yes, that was the only place I could find Streetlight Manifesto.

And Ant-Flag was there.


I was kidding, I see both those cds everywhere.

[BurnMeTurnMeDow]

Im in the ANti-Anti Flag fan club..we are gay

[swindlington]

That's a pretty weaksauce joke.

[woodsie]

This changes nothing. The fact that prior to this they were anti-capitalists makes them hypocrites.

See, that's the thing though. There is no such thing as a real "anti-capitalist". Whether Anti-Flag likes it or not they are the epitome of a Capitalist.

They leverage their perceived talent and their popularity to sell records and a message. That is capitalism at its finest. Any person that leverages assets, talents, skills, or capabilities to make a profit is a capitalist. They don't have to get REAL jobs because they leverage these traits so well into a succesful music career.

I love bands that try to preach a message of Anti-Capitalism yet they live on the take their whole lives while Joe Factory Worker checks in to work from 9 to 5 everyday and hates his job but does it to feed his family.

If you are in a band and that's your only job, atleast be honest with yourself and others. You live a lifestyle subsidized by the rest of society who actually goes to work and builds things for society. More power to you if you can figure out a way to make money at music, but don't preach against the system that enables you to live your lifestyle. I'd be willing to bet there aren't too many career punk rock bands in all the Communist, and desperately poor countries of the world.

The wealth of western societies generated by capitalistic ventures is a prerequisite for a society being able to support things like career musicians who create no tangible goods on which society can subsist on. If it wasn't for this immense wealth, it would not be possible for these bands to exist because there would be no wealth in society from which those bands could draw on in terms of CD sales, concert tickets, and merch sales for the band to live on.

Think about it...

[projectmayhem16]

See, that's the thing though. There is no such thing as a real "anti-capitalist". Whether Anti-Flag likes it or not they are the epitome of a Capitalist.

They leverage their perceived talent and their popularity to sell records and a message. That is capitalism at its finest. Any person that leverages assets, talents, skills, or capabilities to make a profit is a capitalist. They don't have to get REAL jobs because they leverage these traits so well into a succesful music career.

I love bands that try to preach a message of Anti-Capitalism yet they live on the take their whole lives while Joe Factory Worker checks in to work from 9 to 5 everyday and hates his job but does it to feed his family.

If you are in a band and that's your only job, atleast be honest with yourself and others. You live a lifestyle subsidized by the rest of society who actually goes to work and builds things for society. More power to you if you can figure out a way to make money at music, but don't preach against the system that enables you to live your lifestyle. I'd be willing to bet there aren't too many career punk rock bands in all the Communist, and desperately poor countries of the world.

The wealth of western societies generated by capitalistic ventures is a prerequisite for a society being able to support things like career musicians who create no tangible goods on which society can subsist on. If it wasn't for this immense wealth, it would not be possible for these bands to exist because there would be no wealth in society from which those bands could draw on in terms of CD sales, concert tickets, and merch sales for the band to live on.

Think about it...yeah now all of you can try confute this point but you won't, this guy nailed it.

[JealousFreak]

See, that's the thing though. There is no such thing as a real "anti-capitalist". Whether Anti-Flag likes it or not they are the epitome of a Capitalist.

They leverage their perceived talent and their popularity to sell records and a message. That is capitalism at its finest. Any person that leverages assets, talents, skills, or capabilities to make a profit is a capitalist. They don't have to get REAL jobs because they leverage these traits so well into a succesful music career.

I love bands that try to preach a message of Anti-Capitalism yet they live on the take their whole lives while Joe Factory Worker checks in to work from 9 to 5 everyday and hates his job but does it to feed his family.

If you are in a band and that's your only job, atleast be honest with yourself and others. You live a lifestyle subsidized by the rest of society who actually goes to work and builds things for society. More power to you if you can figure out a way to make money at music, but don't preach against the system that enables you to live your lifestyle. I'd be willing to bet there aren't too many career punk rock bands in all the Communist, and desperately poor countries of the world.

The wealth of western societies generated by capitalistic ventures is a prerequisite for a society being able to support things like career musicians who create no tangible goods on which society can subsist on. If it wasn't for this immense wealth, it would not be possible for these bands to exist because there would be no wealth in society from which those bands could draw on in terms of CD sales, concert tickets, and merch sales for the band to live on.

Think about it...



yep, this guy nailed it. And just to add on to this, although not as eloquent, Anti-Flag sucks and those who think they are cool cause they listen to them are posers and followers. That's right biatches, I said it. Most of you who listen to them probably don't know the first thing about politics....get real or die trying. ;)

[Manbotisdead]

yep, this guy nailed it. And just to add on to this, although not as eloquent, Anti-Flag sucks and those who think they are cool cause they listen to them are posers and followers. That's right biatches, I said it. Most of you who listen to them probably don't know the first thing about politics....get real or die trying. ;)

Don't be an asshole, just because you don't like them doesn't mean you have to shit on their fans. Grow up.

[LPMagic]

See, that's the thing though. There is no such thing as a real "anti-capitalist". Whether Anti-Flag likes it or not they are the epitome of a Capitalist.

They leverage their perceived talent and their popularity to sell records and a message. That is capitalism at its finest. Any person that leverages assets, talents, skills, or capabilities to make a profit is a capitalist. They don't have to get REAL jobs because they leverage these traits so well into a succesful music career.

I love bands that try to preach a message of Anti-Capitalism yet they live on the take their whole lives while Joe Factory Worker checks in to work from 9 to 5 everyday and hates his job but does it to feed his family.

If you are in a band and that's your only job, atleast be honest with yourself and others. You live a lifestyle subsidized by the rest of society who actually goes to work and builds things for society. More power to you if you can figure out a way to make money at music, but don't preach against the system that enables you to live your lifestyle. I'd be willing to bet there aren't too many career punk rock bands in all the Communist, and desperately poor countries of the world.

The wealth of western societies generated by capitalistic ventures is a prerequisite for a society being able to support things like career musicians who create no tangible goods on which society can subsist on. If it wasn't for this immense wealth, it would not be possible for these bands to exist because there would be no wealth in society from which those bands could draw on in terms of CD sales, concert tickets, and merch sales for the band to live on.

Think about it...

I see your point, and if you read my above post then you'd know I'm not trying to defend the band in any way, but I don't really see how getting together with your buddies and learning how to play a guitar or drums in order to create music that deals with your views on society suddenly puts you at the level of the owner of Nike.

I'm a 20 year old nothing to society, barely working, barely in school, barely involved with anything other than listening to music and having fun with my friends. I have no shame in it, but here comes the point. What if I decide to learn how to master the electric guitar and get together with friend A and friend B who share a certain political view of mine and we form a band. We all love music, we all feel strongly about an issue, we all want to educate others around us because we feel so strongly about it. Does that make me a capitalist? If people dig my music and get behind what I'm saying, does that make me a capitalist? If I get so successful that I have the opportunity to get on a major label which allows more people hear my message, does that make me a capitalist?

Just because person A is slaving away at a factory doesn't mean that I should put down my instrument. Person A had the chance to do something with their life and their decisions led them to that factory. I'm not trying to belittle the 9-to-5 workers, they're a necessity to society, and we've all been one at some point, but I'm just saying I hate when people say "think about the 9-to-5ers." Those 9-to-5'ers could think about their life, this is America, a land where people have so many opportunities. (Man do I feel like Martin Luther at this point) Anyways, before I make more of an ass out of myself in this paragraph, I'm just saying that people make choices and if I make a choice to play an instrument and voice my opinions, I don't really see how I become a capitalist. (And signing my name on the dotted line shouldn't make me one either, people need an income, and bands use theirs for touring, equipment, necessities, etc... if someone wants to pay me while I'm doing my thing and it will help me out, then so be it... as long as they don't change who I am and/or what I stand for)

Maybe I'm looking at what you said in the wrong way or maybe I'm looking at the word capitalist as a four letter word and just refuse to believe my above situation would lead me to said word. Like I said, I'm not defending Anti-Flag because I'm not a fan. I'm just posing something to think about.

- Jeff

[finch425]

i do like this band, and whil i dont agree with ALL of their views, i dont think that this is a good move for them

[MidniteVulture]

Jesus Christ, these guys are awful.

And what's wrong with being a capitalist?

[ProblemWithFire]

I wish more people knew about Propagandhi and how good they were, instead of so many people thinking this band is so socially/politically-"smart" and thinking they are a good bad.

Fuck this band.

[Manbotisdead]

I see your point, and if you read my above post then you'd know I'm not trying to defend the band in any way, but I don't really see how getting together with your buddies and learning how to play a guitar or drums in order to create music that deals with your views on society suddenly puts you at the level of the owner of Nike.

I'm a 20 year old nothing to society, barely working, barely in school, barely involved with anything other than listening to music and having fun with my friends. I have no shame in it, but here comes the point. What if I decide to learn how to master the electric guitar and get together with friend A and friend B who share a certain political view of mine and we form a band. We all love music, we all feel strongly about an issue, we all want to educate others around us because we feel so strongly about it. Does that make me a capitalist? If people dig my music and get behind what I'm saying, does that make me a capitalist? If I get so successful that I have the opportunity to get on a major label which allows more people hear my message, does that make me a capitalist?

Just because person A is slaving away at a factory doesn't mean that I should put down my instrument. Person A had the chance to do something with their life and their decisions led them to that factory. I'm not trying to belittle the 9-to-5 workers, they're a necessity to society, and we've all been one at some point, but I'm just saying I hate when people say "think about the 9-to-5ers." Those 9-to-5'ers could think about their life, this is America, a land where people have so many opportunities. (Man do I feel like Martin Luther at this point) Anyways, before I make more of an ass out of myself in this paragraph, I'm just saying that people make choices and if I make a choice to play an instrument and voice my opinions, I don't really see how I become a capitalist. (And signing my name on the dotted line shouldn't make me one either, people need an income, and bands use theirs for touring, equipment, necessities, etc... if someone wants to pay me while I'm doing my thing and it will help me out, then so be it... as long as they don't change who I am and/or what I stand for)

Maybe I'm looking at what you said in the wrong way or maybe I'm looking at the word capitalist as a four letter word and just refuse to believe my above situation would lead me to said word. Like I said, I'm not defending Anti-Flag because I'm not a fan. I'm just posing something to think about.

- Jeff
I don't think ever. Thats alright though Jeffy boy at least you tried.

[LPMagic]

I don't think ever. Thats alright though Jeffy boy at least you tried.

Hahaha

Yeah I did.

- Jeff