Pittsburgh political punk band ANTI-FLAG have just announced a new acoustic album American Reckoning, set to be released on Spinefarm Records / Caroline Australia on September 28th. The album features acoustic versions of songs from their past two albums, as well as covers of songs that inspired them. Pre-orders for the album are available now via Spinefarm Records / Caroline Australia. ANTI-FLAG are now premiering a new music video for the acoustic version of “The Debate Is Over (If You Want It)” The video was filmed in the band’s hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, and directed by Josh Massie and Anti-Flag.
American Reckoning, the new acoustic album from Pittsburgh political punk band Anti-Flag, strips down some of the band’s latest hits to get to the heart of the message. The album features acoustic versions of songs off of their last two albums, American Spring (2015) and American Fall (2017), as well as covers of some of the classics that inspired them. By arranging these songs together, American Reckoning functions as an account of one of the country’s most tumultuous political times told by some of music’s sharpest political minds.
The American series, all released on Spinefarm Records, showcases why ANTI-FLAG is recognized as a staple in punk rock. Known for their left-wing politics, focusing on anti-war activism, imperialism, class struggle, human rights, and various sociopolitical sentiments, Anti-Flag have proven themselves as both dedicated activists and accomplished musicians since forming in 1993. Decades of strong political ideals and rousing punk rock songs have allowed the band to assemble a devoted fan base of likeminded individuals all across the world. A quote from the band on their new album can be found below.
“When you’re a band that has been together as long as ANTI-FLAG has you take nothing for granted. We have far exceeded any personal expectations we have had for the band, our art and the reach that it has had. This chapter of our band started with the hope of American Spring, the anger of American Fall and comes to cessation with American Reckoning…
Watch Anti-Flag’s video for “The Debate Is Over (If You Want It)”
This piece focuses on songs from both records (Spring/Fall) that we felt maintain their relevance, even in the distraction politic Donald Trump America, where issues and truth are distorted in a seconds time. We also wanted to provide insight into our influences that lead us to write the records, that’s where the covers come in. They are songs that people may not expect to be influential to ANTI-FLAG records but either in their messaging or sonics they were tremendously impactful to us as individuals and hence the song writing process.
We cannot be knee jerk reactionary to a president that uses corporate media to endlessly lie, we created statements and art that we feel directly combat these tactics, American Reckoning has allowed us to revisit some of those previous statements and shine new light on them.” – ANTI-FLAG
American Reckoning was recorded in Pittsburgh, PA, and mixed and mastered by long time ANTI-FLAG engineer Justin Francis. The album’s artwork was designed by Doug Dean, who also did the artwork for both American Spring and American Fall.
American Reckoning Track Listing
1. The Debate Is Over (If You Want It)
2. Trouble Follows Me
3. American Attraction
4. When The Wall Falls
5. Racists
6. Set Yourself On Fire
7. Brandenburg Gate
8. Gimme Some Truth (John Lennon cover)
9. For What It’s Worth (Buffalo Springfield cover)
10. Surrender (Cheap Trick cover)
