A//POLITICAL are a band made up of active anarcho punks from the Baltimore area. They currently have a cassette available called "Planting the Seeds of Revolution" which highlights the activist-oriented nature of their lyrics as well as their very well-done music which follows a style of classic, early 80's "Peace Punk." They are also actively involved in their area, organizing benefit events and partipating in the Anarcho Punk Federation. We sent them an interview via email which is printed here. Thanks to Jordan for his help with this communication.
PE: You have used the
slogans "Politics are Punk" and "Fight Back or Fuck Off!"
Does this sum up your views on the current anti-political trend in punk
rock? Is punk worth salvaging or is it time to look for a new medium to
spread the anarchist message?
A//P: The anti political trend within the punk scene is nothing more than reactionary bullshit. Its all just excuses to not care. To justify the decadent consumerist lifestyles that these kids live. The anti-p.c. movement is just a right wing bait to divide the left, and the kids eat it up. They are no better than Rush Limbaugh and his Republican circus. So yeah, either you give a fuck or you don't. As far as whether or not punk still holds some worth in the anarchist movement at large, yes it still holds an open door to more radical thought. Punk has served as the largest catalyst for the anarchist movement in the last 21 years. The anarcho punk movement has yet to become co-opted and obsolete like the majority of the hippies in the sixties.
PE: A//Political seems somewhat unique today that you invite speakers and tables from various social/political causes to appear at your shows. Is this part of a conscious effort to legitimize the political nature of punk or just a nostalgic trip back to the peace punk days? Do these activities acually help bring about social change?
A//P: The purpose of our shows is to propagate the ideas that we espouse. We've had several different groups set up at our gigs to share their ideas as well, including the Baltimore GMB of the Industrial Workers of the World, Claustrophobia Anarchist Collective, Black Planet Books, Maryland Animal Advocates, and we've had Food not Bombs serve vegan meals on several occasions. It helps the kids know what's going on locally and provides an information base which they may not have easy access to, if any of them come away with any new ideas or get involved in any of those groups, well thats the whole point of it all isn't it?
PE: You have produced a number of communiques which I presume are handed out at shows. Is this non-music effort an intrinsic part of the band and do you see this as something you will continue in the future?
A//P: We've produced 7 communiques to date and have several more in the works. We are working out plans to publish a book sometime in the end of this year that will print all of our communiques essays and articles, as well as artwork and other odd bits.
PE: In one of your communiques, A//Political criticizes the punk scene as a social ghetto, yet the band plays music which will appeal primarily to a punk crowd. Do you recognize the dichotomy of your activities and how can you influence people's attitudes beyond punk?
A//P: Life is much bigger
than punk rock, we want people to recognize that the slogan "anarchy
and peace" does not end when you leave the gig, it extends to all facets
of life. We criticize the punk scene because we are punks, taking a critical
look at ourselves, our actions, and our immediate environment is an important
first step to changing society.
PE: Another communique extols anarcho-syndicalism (work place organizing and trade unionism) as an important revolutionary tool and vision of future society. However, most punks-and young people in general-have little access to union jobs or work in places where such activities would be nearly impossible, and therefore such ideas are incomprehensible. Do you think syndicalism has a place in modern anarchist organizing and how do you overcome resistance to the idea of organized labor?
A//P: To take control of the means of production is one of the basic tenets of anarchism. Labor is entitled to all it creates. No matter what job someone holds, whether it be McDonald's or in a steel factory, they dont need bosses telling them what to do or any other parasite sucking them dry and living off their sweat. As far as resistance by other workers, most people know their bosses leach off their labor. Not too many like their boss. Its just a matter of talking with people and like anything else, empowering them. As far as resistance by the bosses, the only way to confront that is through direct action, such as strikes, protests, sit ins, slow downs, sabotage, occupations, etc...
PE: A//Political and the Crasshole Collective are very active in the idea of forming an international Anarcho-Punk Federation. Can you tell us a little about why such a federation is so important and what you are doing in your area to make it happen?
A//P: There are a lot of really caring people within the anarcho punk scene who do alot of really inspiring stuff. Unfortunately, with a lot of the anti-political backlash, their actions all too often go unnoticed. They get burnt out, frustrated, and isolated. some of them feel they have to move on to a more accepting/supportive environment for their ideas, so they move onto other social circles, others just get lost, and some give into the rampant apathy of punk rock. Well, it shouldn't be that way, anarcho punks are and have always been some of the most active participents in the diy movement. the A.P.F. is based on networking, on joining our actions together and building stronger communication links. We publish the anarchist paper COUNTERCULTURE towards this end, and we do plenty of networking ourselves locally and internationally to encourage others to get more active and up the struggle.
PE: The Anarchist-Youth
Federation, of the late 80's and early 90's, was mainly made up by a social
club of pen-pals around the world. When efforts were made to formalize the
organizational structure and make actual federation-wide actions, it all
fell apart. How do you see avoiding this same pitfall for the Anarcho-Punk
Federation?
A//P: The APF as it stands right now is focused on networking anarcho punks worldwide. To let those within and without the movement know that the anarcho punk movement is very much alive and well. We also stress solidarity and communication as essential ingredients towards our goal. As far as building the network into a more solidified Federation, the choice of that has been left up to those who have written us and shown an interest. As it stands right now punks in Chile, the Phillipines, England, and elsewhere in Europe, and of course all over the U.S. have taken interest in forming A.P.F. Primary Groups, whose purpose would be to do more regional networking for the federation and to do write ups in COUNTERCULTURE to let the world know of their actions. Some of the pitfalls that we believe the AYF had have been averted with two main points the APF has stressed, one being that it is an anarcho PUNK organization. The AYF had a lot of factional fighting between punks and non punks, and while the APF wishes to work in solidarity with our non-punk comrades, we are organizing our sub culture specifically. Also the AYF did become more or less in alot of areas, including Baltimore, a fashionable do-nothing but circle your a's clique. The APF stresses the necessity of being an ACTIVE anarcho punk, meaning whether personally or socially you work to promote your ideologies in some constructive manner.
PE: Before I sent these questions, Jordan made it clear that you did not want any band/music-related topics, but you seem to spend quite an effort to write good music. Why do you minimalize this aspect of the band and the role of the music in getting the message across?
A//P: The music is just a soundtrack to the words. We play what we like, and as our tastes change so might the music, but the message will never change.
PE: Is it important to "look" punk? Is this a political statement or fashion trend?
A//P: We could give a fuck less what someone dresses like, fashion is fashion. It's becoming increasingly hard these days for youth to think of new "rebellious" looks but its fun to watch them try.
PE: A//Political are planning to play several shows with Riot/Clone on their upcoming U.S. tour. How does it feel to play with a band who has been involved in the anarcho-punk scene for over a dozen years and what do you hope to learn from the experience? Why not play the whole tour?
A//P: Unfortunately we are not able to play any of the gigs on the tour due to band problems, but we look forward to meeting and spending time with Riot/Clone as they are one of the few anarchos from that era still active today, but we'd imagine that it may be a bit odd being as they are us in 15 years!
PE: I know Chuck has a child now; how has fatherhood affected your anarcho-punk beliefs?
A//P: If anything I think that since lexy (my daughter) was born it has further solidified my faith in anarchism. To see her each day is to know that life is not something to be hindered or to be bound down. I am here to act as a guide along life's path for her, not as an authoritarian father figure, but that of an equal and a loving, caring campassionate fellow human. I see further the strength of mutual aid and close-knit community expecially in the raising of children. I may not be able to go to all the shows that i would like or do as many things as I would other wise, but I have found new things that fill my life, and I still manage to be very active politicaly
PE: Even in the anarcho-punk
scene, women continue to take a secondary role in participation and leadership
(for a lack of better term). I see this as a poor reflection on our anarchist
beliefs and how can we, as men, help destroy patriarchal dominance within
our own scene?
A//P: As basic as it may seem, by confronting it. By calling people on their shit, and by treating the wimmin we know active within the scene with the respect that they deserve. Too many times when you see a guy approach a female at a show its for one reason, and thats sick. We, as men, need to change our whole outlook and approach towards females within the scene, growing up in an incredibly fucked up patriarchal society it is near impossible for us to escape our long conditioning, so it must be a continuous conscious effort for us to reevaluate our relations and actions to and with wimmin.
PE: Are there any more subjects you would like to address? What are the future plans for A//Political?
A//P: Currently we are self releasing a 7" on CRASSHOLE RECORDS called 'PROPAGANDA BY DEED' we should also have the 7" 'PUNK IS A GHETTO' out on PROFANE/SKULD soon. By the end of this year we hope to put together that book that we mentioned and begin working on a full length L.P. to be released sometime early next year. For copies of our communiques, or info on the crasshole collective projects/crasshole records, the ANARCHO PUNK FEDERATION, COUNTERCULTURE, or for just a chat send a bit of postage if you got it.
Last note... the world right now is entering a new stage where people are losing faith in the existing power structures, from capitalist democracy and state run socialism, people are getting screwed over and realizing it. Unfortunately the Right-Wing has been exploiting this discontent as a recruiting tool, but at the same time the libertarian groups are growing as well. Anarchism is the only real alternative from both state communism and capitalist democracies, that provides for each individual and builds from the bottom up a highly organized society which can and will do away with all its current ills. It is a serious movement and now is a very serious time. If you are serious beyond cicling little symbols we've enclosed some addresses of different groups, if there's not one in your area just write to any of the ones given and they can probably get you in touch with someone. Thanks to Dan for the interview, think for yourself. AGITATE! PILE ON THE PRESSURE! FULFILL YOUR DREAMS!
A//Political / P.O. Box 65341 / Baltimore, MD 21209
