SONG: "Brandenburg Gate" (acoustic version)
ARTIST: Anti-Flag
ALBUM: "American Reckoning"
YEAR: 2018
PLACE OF ORIGIN: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
YEARS ACTIVE: 1988 - 2023
WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:
"Brandenburg Gate" tells a story about a couple who metaphorically separated but refuse to give up on their relationship. Anti-Flag vocalist/guitarist Justin Sane said this about the song. "In the end, the song is about the idea that despite the odds - no matter how big the odds may be - anything is achievable. The Brandenburg Gate was a symbol of the Cold War, and it was a symbol of division. It was like this barrier that no one would be able to overcome. But eventually, that wall came down, and all of a sudden, that gate was opened. People were actually able to be brought together. I think that's just one example of how when things seem impossible, there's always a possibility for hope and change when people are willing to fight for it." I chose an acoustic version of the song here, the original can be found on Anti-Flag's 2015 album, "American Spring".
ANTI-FLAG DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):
1996 - Die For The Government (New Red Archives)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
1998 - Their System Doesn't Work For You (A-F Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
1999 - A New Kind Of Army (Go-Kart Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2001 - Underground Network (Fat Wreck Chords)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2002 - Mobilize (A-F Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2003 - The Terror State (Fat Wreck Chords)
* peaked at #91 on the Billboard 200 on 10-21-03
2006 - For Blood And Empire (RCA Records)
* peaked at #100 on the Billboard 200 on 3-21-06
2008 - The Bright Lights Of America (RCA Records)
* peaked at #118 on the Billboard 200 on 4-1-08
2009 - The People Or The Gun (SideOneDummy Records)
* peaked at #122 on the Billboard 200 on 6-9-09
2012 - The General Strike (SideOneDummy Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2015 - American Spring (Spinefarm Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2015 - Cease Fires (A-F Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2016 - Live Acoustic At 11th Street Records (Spinefarm Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2017 - Live Vol. 1 (A-F Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2017 - American Fall (Spinefarm Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2018 - American Reckoning (Spinefarm Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2019 - Live Vol. 2 (A-F Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2020 - 20/20 Vision (Spinefarm Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
2023 - Lies They Tell Our Children (Spinefarm Records)
* did not chart on the Billboard 200
MY THOUGHTS ON ANTI-FLAG:
Anti-Flag initially formed as a band back in 1988 but the project was short-lived. Some four years later in 1992, they guys decided to give it another go. The Pittsburgh products debut album would be 1996's "Die For Your Government". The band's next three albums, 1999's "A New Kind Of Army", 2001's "Underground Network" and 2002's "Mobilize", would start giving some buzz to the band but it was their 2003 release through Fat Wreck Chords called "The Terror State" that would really put the wind under Anti-Flag's sails. After this album, Anti-Flag signed a two album deal with major label RCA, who released "For Blood And Empire" in 2006 and "The Bright Lights Of America" in 2008. In 2009, Anti-Flag signed with SideOneDummy Records for the 2009 album "The People Or The Gun" and the 2012 album "The General Strike". In 2015, Anti-Flag signed with Spinefarm Records. The band went on to drop four successive bangers of albums with that label, 2015's "American Spring", 2017's "American Fall", 2020's "20/20 Vison" and the band's most recent release, 2023's "Lies They Tell Our Children". On July 19, 2023, Anti-Flag abruptly disbanded, taking down all of their social media platforms and closing their own label, A-F Records. Vocalist Justin Sane had been accused of sexual misconduct, first by one woman, then by several more after the fact. The band just couldn't see going forward because the serious accusations stand for everything that the band fought against. Anti-Flag was one of the most consistent bands out there. It seemed like they never rested, putting out new material constantly, sometime after only a year from their last release! They were also a band notorious for shining a light on various social and political issues. One of the issues they championed throughout the years was women's rights and speaking up for victims of sexual assault and abuse which makes the allegations against Justin Sane even harder to swallow. I'm not a judge. At this time, these are just allegations and both side's voices should be heard. At the same time, Anti-Flag is one of my favorite bands so however the Sane situation works out, you have to remember that there were three other guys in the band who put their blood, sweat and tears into Anti-Flag's music as well and they shouldn't be punished because of one of the members. I guess I'll just keep an open mind for now and be bummed that one of the best punk bands out there is officially no more.
SIMILAR ARTISTS:
Pennywise
Bad Religion
Authority Zero
The Bouncing Souls
Millencolin
TEN ANTI-FLAG SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:
1. Brandenburg Gate
2. American Attraction
3. The Bright Lights Of America
4. The Press Corpse
5. Turncoat
6. Broken Bones
7. Die For The Government
8. Christian Nationalist
9. Sodom, Gomorrah, Washington D.C. (Sheep In Shepherd's Clothing)
10. Laugh, Cry, Smile, Die
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