With demogorgon President Trump’s inauguration having just taken place, never has there been a more fitting time for Anti-Flag to raise their voice in form of a live album. Not only are their quick-fire paced songs filled with protest, they also encourage love and compassion for one and other, something that has been sadly missing in global politics. Wanting to bring out the best in everyone, the Pennsylvanian punk rockers lay waste to the famed Troubadour in Los Angeles over the course of three evenings to bring you ‘Live Vol.1’.
Celebrating almost 20 years as a band, they have collated a huge back catalogue that has been tidied together, offering a pure greatest hits live album (along with a few classic gems). With a metaphorical middle finger in the air to the government throughout the record, Anti-Flag’s lyrics remind you just how important and on the button they have always been and will no doubt continue to be. They aren’t the most note perfect band in the world (nobody is expecting them to be, in fairness) but Chris#2 and Justin Sane’s alternating vocals both still possess that distinctive snarl that adds a level vigor and ruthlessness to every word that they shout with conviction.
The record offers something for old and new fans, but it still only gives you just a taste of what Anti-Flag are all about. As ferocious as the likes of ‘Drink Drank Punk’ and opener ‘The Press Corpse’ sound on record, there’s nothing quite like seeing the four piece go hell for leather on stage. With this being a live album, you can’t help but feel like you’re missing out on all the best bits of the show. You can’t hear the circle pits, the sweat or the spit.
With a bit more of one of their classic rants against the state and perhaps even a digital download code to watch the filmed performance, this release would have felt a lot more complete. Despite the record’s complete relevance to the current political spectrum, and ‘Die For The Government’ is a song that never gets old, you still feel like some of Anti-Flag’s greatest assets aren’t captured as perfectly as they should be. Hopefully Vol. 2 later this year will be an even bigger showcase of these.
LOUIS KERRY