Anti-Flag will be taking over Amsterdam Bar & Hall on Thursday night. To say I’m excited to see such a legendary band in such an intimate venue would be an understatement. Anti-Flag is a politically charged punk rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania fronted by guitarist / vocalist Justin Sane. Formed in 1988, the band did not release their first official full length “Die For Your Government” until early 1997. Since then the band has released a steady stream of releases on a number of different labels. With now twelve albums under their belt, Thursday night’s show is sure to be full of old classics and new favorites including some tracks from their 2017 release “American Fall”. Having only seen this group at giant outdoor festivals in the past, I am more than thrilled to be able to see how that energy translates into a smaller venue.
Opening the show will be Stray from the Path– an American hardcore punk band formed in 2001 in Long Island, New York, The White Noise from Dallas, TX and Baltimore based Sharptooth.
Tickets are still available here.
Here is Anti-Flag’s statement on this current “Silence=Violence” Tour:
“The mission of the Trump regime has been clear from day one, the normalization of bigotry. Dangerous rhetoric has become dangerous policy that has put countless in harms way. It is the responsibility of all to be on the side of the marginalized and scapegoated and that is the goal of the aim of the Silence=Violence Tour.
No longer can we allow people to sit on the sidelines in the fight for social and economic justice. Inaction makes you complicit. If oppressed people demanding space and dignity in our society is what is making you uncomfortable, perhaps it is because you are a bigot or fascist? We must spread empathy, not apathy. Our aim is to do that at every show we play across the US.
Our society can maintain a status quo of violence and hatred, go back to masking that same hatred and violence in neoliberal wrapping paper, or forge a new society that is inclusive, egalitarian and just for all. It is our optimistic view, even in these dark times, that the latter is within reach.
Each band on this tour is predicated upon an ethic of caring about more than just themselves. To carve out a few hours in a day, in each city, where we can be comfortable in our own skin… free from racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, islamophobia, bigotry of any kind… this is not an opportunity that any of us tread upon lightly. We’re excited to throw these small celebrations of unity in hopes that it can leave all that attend with a sense of community and organization that will help fuel our collective ability to create positive change and leave things better than we found them.”
Tour Dates:
1/16/18 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
1/17/18 Chicago, IL -Bottom Lounge
1/18/18 Minneapolis, MN – Amsterdam Bar & Hall
1/19/18 Lawrence, KS – The Granada
1/20/18 Denver, CO – Summit
1/21/18 Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall
1/23/18 Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
1/24/18 Seattle, WA – El Corazon
1/25/18 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater
1/26/18 San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
1/27/18 Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room
1/28/18 Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour
1/30/18 San Diego, CA – SOMA
1/31/18 Phoenix, AZ – Club Red
2/2/18 Austin, TX – Mohawk
2/3/18 Houston, TX -Walters
2/4/18 Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey Bar & Grill
2/6/18 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
2/7/18 Nashville, TN – Exit In
2/8/18 Cleveland, OH -Grog Shop
2/9/18 Pittsburgh, PA – Mr Smalls
2/10/18 Washington, DC – U Street Music Hall
2/11/18 New York, NY – Highline Ballroom
