Chris Barker

 

Anti-Flag

 

Interview by Cameron Edney

 

The opinionated and outspoken Anti-Flag formed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1985 and during the bands early years the bands line-up continuously changed but the bands message had always stayed the same! It was almost ten years before the band could establish a steady line-up and released their first studio album ‘Die for the Government’. Over the years the bands line-up may have changed but with many loud and clear message aimed at the American government Anti-Flag was building up an amazing following across the United States.

With years of touring under their belts and seven studio albums later, the band have no intensions on throwing it all in just yet! These American punk rockers are currently doing a run of shows in North America before returning to Australia in February to play at the Soundwave festivals and selected Side-Waves. Earlier this week we had the pleasure of catching up with vocalist and bass player Chris Barker better known as Chris #2 to discuss the punk rockers return to Australia. Kick back as one of Punks finest discuses the bands most recent album ‘The People or the Gun’, memorable moments from past Australian visits and dealing with the loss of a loved one!

 

Inside Out: Hi Chris, how ya doin?

 

Chris Barker: Very well, thank you!

 

Inside Out: Firstly thanks so much for taking the time out to speak with us today, it's a true pleasure! Let's kick off chatting about your return to Australia next year for the Soundwave Festivals! No doubt you guys are excited to be returning for some more shows?

 

Chris Barker: Absolutely! Australia has always been very good to Anti-Flag. We have had similar political strife and I think that has made for a fair amount of camaraderie between OZ and A-F.

 

Inside Out: What comes to mind when you look back on your last Australian visit?

 

Chris Barker: Long hot days and very strange nights with Rage against the Machine and Billy Bragg.

 

 

 

Inside Out: You guys will be hitting Australia in February and the Soundwave bill has quite an amazing line-up for 2010! You guys will be performing with the likes of AFI, Gallows, Shinedown and Faith no More to name a few! Will you be putting time aside to check out any of the other bands throughout the festival?

 

Chris Barker: Oh Yes…. Our days will be as busy as the rest of the festival goers. Gallows, Alexisonfire, Four Year Strong, AFI, Get Up Kids, ETC.

 

Inside Out: Have you guys put any plans in place to record any of the Australian shows possibly for a future DVD / Cd release?

 

Chris Barker: That's a great idea... No plans yet, but we may steal that idea [laughs]

 

Inside Out: [Laughs] well if you do remember who gave it to ya [laughs]. From memory, the last time you guys were here you played the Big Day Out festival and of course this time around you are kickin it with the Soundwave Fest... are you a fan of playing on the larger festival bills or would you much prefer the smaller more intimate venues, no doubt both have their advantages!

 

Chris Barker: Well, we always try to do side shows during any festival run. Not just in OZ but over other seas as well. Honestly, for us we use large festivals as an education process on the gospel of Anti-Flag. We want everyone who walks in front of our stage to know that we are a band that believes in more than just music. Building real strength and community! A band that is looking to an alternative to the status quo, ending racism, sexism, and homophobia! We take the time to talk about these ideas more so at festivals then we do at one of our smaller more intimate headline shows.

 

Inside Out: Chris, there's no doubt that when you're playing on the large festival bills such as Soundwave, it can be a fantastic way to expose the band to a lot of people who may have never heard you before ... for those punters attending Soundwave that are interested in checking out Anti-Flag ... in a few words how would you describe the band live and what can the audiences expect when you take to the Soundwave stage?

 

Chris Barker: A band that believes in their songs and the ideals behind each song! A band that is working to break down the barrier between "audience member" and "band member"! You might find yourself on our stage and us on your dance floor.

 

 

 

 

Inside Out: The Aussie fans are thrilled to hear that you guys will also be doing a couple of Side-shows while you're here, for the die-hard Anti-flag fans that will be attending those, how different will the set be to that which will be performed during the festival appearances?

 

Chris Barker: We'll try and create different sets that make it worth the trek to both. Also, there is way more of a chance to meet people on a one on one level at the smaller side shows. We'll be sure to be hanging out during the show.

 

Inside Out: Mate, while we're on the subject of touring... When it comes to touring today, how does it compare to touring say 10 years ago does it get any easier to leave your house for months at a time?

 

Chris Barker: Well, we've been touring for the last 10 years. Setting up a community around punk rock is easier now than ever. The internet has become more of a tool than I think anyone imagined. The ability to talk about our scene and music is quicker and more personal than ever. This has only helped people be aware of shows happening in their city.

 

Inside Out: Over the years you have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with many amazing artists... Who has given you the best advice whilst on the road and what was it?

 

Chris Barker: Probably Billy Bragg! He told us very early on that no matter how important the messages of your music are, no one will listen unless the songs are great.

 

Inside Out: Dude, I wanted to talk to you a little about the bands most recent album 'The People or The Gun', looking back on the recording process is there anything you would have changed or wish you had done differently?

 

Chris Barker: Actually no! We made the record ourselves in our hometown of Pittsburgh PA. We built our own studio, and made the record on our terms. We are quite happy with how it came to fruition.

 

Inside Out: I see that you guys also decided to produce this one on your own, when you could have picked from almost any producer to work with, why did you guys decide to keep this one so close to your heart?

 

Chris Barker: We have done records with producers in the past. It felt time to put the emphasis and focus back on the 4 of us… Just four friends in a room trying to capture our political and musical ideas!

 

Inside Out: Chris, had the process already began or was the decision made early on to have no outside help…

 

Chris Barker: Oh Yeah, we planned it this way before one song was written.

 

Inside Out: Over the years you guys have certainly written some amazing songs and the new album has plenty of killer tunes! Tell us about your songwriting process, every band has a different way of doing things, how does it work for you, do you guys sit in a room with pen to paper, or does the music come first etc?

 

Chris Barker: All of that actually!  We sometimes come in with full songs written. Other times we have a lyric or political motivation that drives a songs origin. Different band members write either full songs or parts. When it comes to songwriting we let it happen. There is no formula.

 

 

 

 

Inside Out: Once it came time to lay down the tracks for 'The People or The Gun' how much time did you spend in the studio?

 

Chris Barker: I think the whole writing and recording process was two months… A relatively quick turnaround for us!

 

Inside Out: I love both the Album title and artwork! How much input did you guys have in the Artwork that Mike Ski designed for the Album and tell us how you came up with the title for the album?

 

Chris Barker: We all came up with the concept together. We have been friends with Ski for years. He's made record art, t-shirt art, and just been a great ally for years. The title is a synopsis of the record. Questioning why more is spent on militarism than on health care. More on warfare than education... these priorities are in disarray.

 

Inside Out: Before agreeing on 'The People or the Gun' what other titles were you throwing around and how hard is it to get everyone to agree on a title that's going to represent the band and all you pour into an album?

 

Chris Barker: It is extremely hard to get the four of us all backing one idea. Let alone one record title. I will tell you my personal favorite title that did not see the light of day, and perhaps it was because it was all pun. "Hearts and Crimes, Terrorists and Traders."

 

Inside Out: [Laughs] nice one man maybe that will make it next time? Chris, we’ve hit the part of the interview where our readers get to find out more about the real you... looking back over your career has there ever been a time when you lost all hope and thought it was all over?

 

Chris Barker: Honestly, when my sister was killed. I didn't want to do anything. Let alone play shows. But punk rock and this scene have always been the place where I find solace. Our first show after her death was a reaffirmation of what we have worked to create.

 

Inside Out: What was the first song you ever wrote called and what was it about?

 

Chris Barker: Paper. And it was about paper cuts killing a whole family… Genius!

 

Inside Out: If you woke up tomorrow and decided that you've moved on from music and wanted nothing more to do with the industry what profession do you think you would be working in?

 

Chris Barker: I am too old to be an ice hockey player. I suppose I'll teach art at a middle school.

 

Inside Out: What was the first concert you ever attended and how much of an impact did that have on you musically?

 

Chris Barker: Danzig, Korn, and Marilyn Manson. It was awesome and eye opening. I was scared shitless. It has had very little impact on me musically however. Maybe it has influenced me to write music that sounds very little like the bands I saw at my first concert experience.

 

Inside Out: Who have you been surprised to learn is a fan of your work?

 

Chris Barker: Billy Bragg. It is amazing to be friends with one of my favorite artists ever.

 

Inside Out: Mate, what's the craziest rumour you've ever heard about yourself and or the band?

 

Chris Barker: That we are uptight political robots who have no fun. Nothing could be further from the truth.

 

Inside Out: To date, there has been so many highlights in your career, what would you say have been your greatest achievements to date?

 

Chris Barker: Big Day Out was amazing. Our last European headline tour in Oct/Nov 09 was incredible. Groezrock festival in Belgium was one of my favorite shows ever. And our takeover of the republican national convention with Rage against the Machine was a fantastic moment.

 

Inside Out: Lastly a question I ask of everyone that I speak with... who is the one band you never want to hear again and why?

 

Chris Barker: Oh man there is too many to list! Let's just say, I can listen to ‘London Calling’ by the Clash every day if I had to.

 

Inside Out: Mate, thanks again for your time today, I look forward to seeing you guys at the Soundwave festivals... do you have any last words for our readers?

 

Chris Barker: See you when we get down there!