Last week in Tucson, Arizona, Jared Loughner opened fire with a semi-automatic on a crowd of people at a political event. A previous classmate of Loughner later came out stating that Jared at a time listened to political punk band Anti-Flag whose lyrics inspired the name of the site you’re currently on. Alternative Press shared an exlusive interview with lead singer Justin Sane who claims that this act of violence is far from what Anti-Flag stand for.

Were you aware of the news when the incident happened?
Yeah, I saw it on the evening news. It was very moving and very chilling. I’m not ashamed to admit I actually teared up watching the news report. It was pretty bad.

When did you first hear your name being pulled into the story?
My sister called me that night. I was driving home around 11 p.m., and she informed me that a former classmate of the shooter had reportedly said something about Anti-Flag. Obviously, it was a real surprise because Anti-Flag are this band that for over a decade have been committed to non-violence and progressive change for justice, quality and peace. Certainly we have lobbied for health care—including mental health care—for all people. So to hear about someone who commits an act like this being associated with your band’s name, it comes as a real shock. That classmate apparently hadn’t seen the shooter since 2007, and that’s a long time ago. It’s four years. A lot can change in a person’s head and ideas in that amount of time—especially around that age. Maybe at one point, he “got” Anti-Flag and maybe the band brought something positive to his life. I highly doubt he was still listening to Anti-Flag, and if he was, he obviously missed the message. That said, he was obviously mentally disturbed, and that’s the one thing that strikes me more than anything.

Do you think this is a symptom of a larger problem?
Definitely. It seems like there’s a much bigger question that hasn’t been addressed yet. To a certain degree, that’s because it’s not time. The victims haven’t even been buried. We understand how painful this time is. [Bassist Chris Barker’s] sister was murdered [in 2007]. We put out a full release that year called A Benefit For Victims Of Violent Crime and donated all the proceeds to an organization that helps people deal with the loss of a loved one as the result of a violent act. One thing we’re well aware of is that people just need some time to grieve and mourn. There should be a level of respect for the grieving families before everyone delves into the hard-hitting issues like, “Why is this happening?” and “Where are we headed?”

Do you think blaming bands or movies on incidents like this is a cop-out?
First of all, there’s a 24-hour media machine. They need something to talk about. They’re gonna grab at every little fact or idea or rumor that they can and examine it because they need content. Secondly, in our society, we tend to focus on the minutia of the issue instead of the greater issue. Whether it’s Anti-Flag or John Lennon or Marilyn Manson [blamed for inspiring violent acts], that debate draws attention from the much bigger question: Why do we live in a culture that is so steeped in violence? When you look at our national policies—whether you think Iraq was a necessary war or not—America invaded Iraq. Millions of people around the world protested that invasion. They were trying to say to the United States, “You need to find a new way to deal with your problems.” Killing people and mass violence as a national policy is only going to lead to violence in your own society. I think when we look at the way our country goes about resolving its conflicts, it’s hardly ever peace-driven. That’s the statement that Anti-Flag have been making ever since we were a band. We have to find a way without violence because if we don’t, then what example are the young people of our country going to have? What are we going to be bringing back upon ourselves? To me, it’s not about these smaller factors of a band or one statement that someone said. It’s really about the hard work of looking at our country and the motivations of people in power like the military or Congress.

Do you think America is capable of that change?
To survive as a world, we have to. I do believe it’s possible. I’ve seen impossible things happen before, and I know that the U.S. is full of so many caring and brilliant and inspiring people. I think that’s the upside. That’s what energizes you to keep going when you’re in a band like Anti-Flag who are shedding light on problems. It feels like there’s so much negativity in the world, but then you travel around the country and meet these amazing kids and work with politicians that do positive things, and you realize we have a chance. But it’s gonna take a lot of hard work.

It seems like people who would blame Anti-Flag for something like this clearly haven’t taken the time to look into what the band actually stand for.
Yeah, when your whole stance when you started your band was to promote anti-violence, it’s a little surprising to hear your name dropped like this. I guess I have a frustration with the greater media in general. When Anti-Flag are raising money to build wells in Africa or working with Amnesty International or Greenpeace and you try to get someone to cover it, you’re totally ignored. That’s frustrating at a time like this. It takes something so sensational and horrific for people to notice. I think that’s a problem with the 24-hour news cycle. There’s just not an emphasis on the good that people are doing. That said, this event warrants discussion and the coverage it’s been getting. It’s a horrible thing that’s taken place, and I think a lot of people’s hearts go out to the victims and their families. People want to understand what’s going on and what happened. Hopefully, we can come away from this terrible event a better nation and a better people because we learn something from it. If we don’t, that would make this event that much more tragic.

Stereo Skyline broke out of the underground music scene with the hit Heartbeat, written when lead singer Kevin Bard was only 15. The single was rerecorded for the July 20th release of their album, Stuck on Repeat which hit #2 on the iTunes Top Alternative chart within a few hours of its release. This past February, they were featured on the Alternative Press 100 Bands You Need To Know list, then spent the beginning of the summer on the Bamboozle Roadshow alongside acts such as Forever the Sickest Kids, All Time Low, The Ready Set, and LMFAO. Until the end of August, Kevin, Brian Maddox, Clayton Johnson, & Rob Michelson will be hitting the roads with The Audition, Cash Cash, The Downtown Fiction, and Cady Groves on their headlining journey labeled “The Stuck on Repeat Tour”. Stereo Skyline is quickly making a name for themselves with their pop-laden lyrics (“Baby, you’re my Rocky Road, my mint chocolate chip and more; feels like a cavity for sure, but here’s the scoop, taste the truth, the words me and you never ever sounded so cool”) which are sure to lighten up whatever situation you may find yourself in. I met up with the quartet at the Milwaukee stop of the Bamboozle Roadshow to discuss the release, their ringtones, and Clayton’s dance move which is guaranteed to draw in any girl that feasts her eyes upon it.

On a desperate search for a pen, I asked my assistant Anne to ask the woman behind her for one. The end result was her receiving a lecture in the middle of McDonald’s. Our second attempt to locate a writing utensil was going to be placed onto the man in Ray-Ban’s making his way to the restaurant. Upon being in the establishment for less than five minutes, fans immediately recognize him and proceed to follow him back to the venue next door upon his leaving. This man would later turn out to be Nick Santino, Massachusetts native and frontman of A Rocket to the Moon. Founded in 2006, the band was later joined by Eric Halvorsen on bass, Justin Richards on guitar, and drummer Andrew Cook. You can catch them this fall on tour with Hanson on the Shout it Out Tour. This past spring they were on tour with Motion City Soundtrack, fun., and Sing It Loud. Apologies to Eric in the following interview, for unintentionally and unknowingly turning down his high-five. You can see all of their tour adventures on their Tour Video Series titled, “Living Life by the Mile” found here.

There is a tour bus outside of Milwaukee’s famous Rave Club, outside it are teenage girls, all sporting their homemade shirts professing their love for Never Shout Never. Security guards are peeved, telling them they’re too close, and three feet away are four fans on their hands and knees, drawing a name in chalk around his traveling home. We venture onto the bus into the back and are greeted by the 19 year old who has purloined the hearts of millions of people besides the ones swarming around the venue. It is as if everyone in the English speaking language now knows of his existence. From his lack of shoes, ukulele tunes, and his message of spreading love and appreciation of nature, Christofer Drew has made the journey from his room in Joplin, Missouri, to the stages of nearly every state in the country. The first I heard of him was when I was in the eighth grade, still swooning over his Myspace picture. Three years later, I’m sitting on his couch, inhaling his secondhand smoke. Singing something I’ve never heard before and playing an acoustic, he lights a cigarette just as the door to the room we’re in closes. Humble and sure of where he’s going along with what he believes, upon reading his lyrics and speaking to him in person, it is no wonder why fans fall at the site of him.

A while back I went to a show at a local venue.  It was a talent show full of junior high and high school students.  After finishing a mildly embarrassing performance, a girl by the name of Devin Gackle took the stage. She immediately won the crowd over with her humor before she even started playing.  And they only grew more interested as the song went on.  She ended up winning the contest that night.  At just a junior in high school, singer/songwriter Devin Gackle, is someone you want to know.  Her lyrics are deep and heartfelt and she ties them together with soothing strums of her acoustic guitar.  I am very excited to present our interview with this star on the rise.  Click Here for a video of Devin playing her song “Ruins.”

1. When did you start singing and playing the guitar?
I’ve been singing for about as long as I can remember, and started to pick up the guitar in 6th/7th grade, my dad taught me some and then I taught myself the rest. I’ve always been a writer so putting them together just seemed like a good idea.

2. What are the top five most played artists on your iPod/iTunes?
Within Temptation, Marie Digby, Pillar, BarlowGirl, and random artists.

3. What is the best concert you’ve ever been to?
Probably the concerts at this camp in Nashville I went to called Camp Electric. There was a concert every night, and the artists were Red, Pillar, BarlowGirl, Newsboys, Toby Mac, and Bluetree.

4. What are your hobbies other than your music?
I really enjoy movies and I love to make them too. And the best sport ever is baseball, so I love to play softball.

5. Are you interested in pursuing music as a career?
Heck yes. I don’t know how, but I know that it’s all I want to do.

6. What goes through your head before you perform?
It is never the same thing. Some things make me more nervous than others, sometimes I don’t get nervous at all. I try to say something before I perform a song, maybe say something about the song or something funny and it usually ends up being both.

7. Where do you find inspiration for your songs?
Inspiration is everywhere. The good stuff just comes to me. I know that if I try to hard to write a song it won’t turn out the way I want it to. I could be eating lunch, at the grocery store, walking to my car, anything.

Acoustic or Electric? um…acoustic cause you can bring it anywhere without having to plug it in.

Pirates or Ninjas? ooh….tie.

My friends are: Completely random :).

I hate: when people spell my name with an o instead of an i.

Miley Cyrus is: improving, she’s not half bad.

1) What do you think of music labels sometimes signing contracts with seemingly untalented musicians, and good bands staying underground?
I think it’s a pretty good example of how music is becoming more of a business, and less of an privilege. I know people that make music, because they just want to be in bands. Usually labels sign these kinds of artists, because of the 12-14 year old fan base, that doesn’t have much musical knowledge. And as for the underground part, I think it’s kind of cool, but I really wish some artists I knew got the attention they deserve.

2) What are some things you wish fans would stop doing? Are there any things you’d like them to start?
I can honestly say, I wish our fans would stop being so damn awesome, it makes me realize how un-rad I am. But in all seriousness, nothing really, I wouldn’t change a thing, they have been really supportive and hands on, and we appreciate it.

3) Do you enjoy playing the shows in people’s basements with only 11 people in attendance?
Those are the best shows to play, I used to play at the internet cafe in Red Bank, New Jersey, and seriously maybe 7 people would show up. Best shows ever, very loose, relaxed, and just fun.

4) What bands have you made plans to do shows with in 2010?
Well, while Jeremy is in college shows have kind of been put on the back burner, which is a blessing in disguise, because now we can record and release a bunch of music for you. But bands around here we would love to play with would be The Call Out, We Own Egypt, and Like The Stars. All bands with really good guys in them, and we really respect them.

5) What is your milk to cereal ratio?
Oh lord, I use way to much milk, I’m thinking the contents of the bowl, 2/3 is milk, and 1/3 is actual cereal.

Q: How long have you been involved in the music industry?

A: I’ve played Music since I was 9 years old. I played in a couple of small bands over the years. Now with Palomine we are a band for 7 years. We just recorded our second album with Australian producer Peter Crosbie. Our first record came out in 2007.

Last years we played a lot of shows.

Palomine is David (lead vocals), Levi (bass guitar), Ralf (lead guitars and backing vocals), Simon (Fender Rhodes, keys), Nico (drums and backing vocals)

Q: Where does the name “Palomine” come from?

A: Palomine comes from “Pal of mine”, “my friend”. But it is also a song title from Dutch indierockers Bettie Serveert. We have nothing in common with that band. Years ago, our singer David stood in front of his cd rack, gazing over the cd titles. Then he saw the name “Palomine” from that Bettie Serveert album, and he just liked that name.

Q: Where did you get the idea to pursue the ‘World is Listening’ Project?

A: Well, at the release of our First CD (Get the luxurious big bath size), we organized the release show in a coal mine. (palo”MINE”). Just for fun, and to do something special for the release of that cd. We got a lot of great comments on that show. So, for the release of this CD, we decided to take it a step further and come up with an idea that has never been done before by a band. Our new CD “Attention Alpha” is finished, but we won’t officially release it in Stores or iTunes as long we didn’t receive a video message from at least one person of every country in the world. People who make a video message for us, may download a pre-release of “Attention Alpha” for FREE, immediately, months before the official release. And we will put the most interesting video in our new music video, of the single “Never be the same”.

There are 194 countries in the world. (counting only the countries who are affiliated with the United Nations) At the time or writing this, we received video messages from 118 different countries. We don’t have a specific deadline, but counting at on average one movie a day, we will hopefully finish the project January or February 2010. And then we’ll have successfully finished a unique project and we will officially release our CD “Attention Alpha”.

At www.theworldislistening.com we present all recorded movies. You can look up the countries on an interactive map.

Q: Who would you consider to be the bands biggest musical influence(s)?

A: In the beginning, our biggest influences were singer-songwriters, like Ben Christophers en Ben Folds. Nowadays, as I’m sure we don’t sound like any other band, some genres come close, like those of Coldplay, Kings of Leon, Snow Patrol…

Q: What has been your craziest fan encounter?

A: There is this wild fan in St-Louis , Missouri . She came to Europe some years ago. On my birthday we met in Germany and she brought me a lot of gifts. We went to bars the whole night and ended up really drunk.

Click here for the official Breathe Electric site.

What do you think of bands that don’t communicate with their fans ?
I think communicating with fans is one of the most important factors to drawing kids to a show and keeping their loyalty. Bands that don’t maintain that connection with fans are probably going to lose a lot because fans are like our fuel. They keep us going. They always give so we always give back. Without that relationship, being in a band wouldn’t be as fun.

The first thoughts running through your mind right when you’re about to go on ?
Greg: I am always pumped up to play. Of course, I am always thinking about playing perfect and rocking out really hard. But mostly I’m just thinking about having a good time.

Anissa & Alexia, what are the most annoying things that the boys always do on tour ?
The guys in the band aren’t annoying at all! I think we all have our own silly habits like leaving clothes everywhere, chewing too obnoxiously, farting too much, complaining, haha. Touring is like going on a long road trip with siblings. Any one is bound to get a little irritated but we never get too bothered of each other.

Boys, same question but for Anissa & Alexia.
The girls are really easy to get along with… The only thing that bothers me is that they have the bladders of old ladies, and I kid you not, I have to pull over every half an hour sometimes so they can go to the bathroom ha. That and they have makeup and more clothes than most of us guys so that’s just more stuff that takes up van space. We have been together for so long that we know how to avoid getting on each other’s nerves.

What happened when you were offered to be signed by BreakSilence/Koch records ?
Greg: We had a connection with the record label Sub Noize. After shopping our band to labels and not getting any real good offers, Sub Noize gave us one. Breaksilence is just a imprint label and is funded by Sub Noize. It is a great label and we are stoked to be working with them.

What makes your fans the greatest ?
Our fans rock because they support us like no other… we have been touring for years and some of the same people keep coming to our shows regardless of who else is playing or how big/small the show is. Fans are the main thing that keep us doing what we do. Touring can break you down at times, but fans make it worthwhile.

When you’re on the road for hours, what do you do besides sleep and eat ?
Well other than sleep and eat we basically just hang out. We drive A LOT, write music, watch movies, draw, read, play video games. Anything to save us from boredom.

You all picked up your first instruments at what age ?
Alexia: I first started playing guitar when I was 13 in 8th grade. My mom wouldn’t let me learn at first because I usually quit every team I played in and I quit clarinet when I was 11. But I had a class that required us to pick up a hobby and study it so she had to buy me a guitar because that’s the only thing I wanted to learn for so long.

Caleb, Greg, Brandon, who in the world does your hair? Oh, and, boxers or briefs?
Brandon: I speak on behalf of all the guys when i say briefs over boxers ha. As far as the hair, we all pretty much do it ourselves or have the girls help us out. We can’t afford real haircuts more than like once a year.

What was the worst show you ever played and what exactly went wrong ?
Hah, well there are so many technical difficulties we have had at sooo many shows I can’t say there is one that stands out. We try to have fun anyways when things aren’t going our way. My least favorite shows are the ones where no matter what i say and how much i try people just sit around and stare. We don’t have those very often but we have had a few and it’s just weird. I mean, you pay money to come to a show so why not at least pretend to have fun?

-What was the reason you decided to start pursuing music?
1. I suppose the reason I got into doing the music I do is probably Trent Reznor/Nine Inch Nails. When I first heard the “Broken” EP, I said to myself THAT is what I want to do right there.

-Story behind the name ”So Long Secrets”?
2. So Long Secrets was actually a line in a poem I wrote a while ago called “Machine Language” about the complete and global connection (and thus loss of privacy) that the Internet brings to the World. “Goodbye privacy, so long secrets.”

-Favorite thing a fan has said or done?
3. I have this one quoted on the top of my Myspace page actually “I liked your music, it made my soul dance.” That made my day.

-If you weren’t doing SLS, what would you be doing?
4. Well, before this I actually wrote a book of poetry and had it published, but that was never a full time thing. I guess I would be doing what I’m doing right now, and that is searching out a way to make my voice heard among the masses and make money while I’m doing it. Hahaha.

camera, this was my first time editing a live interview, and it’s okay quality, but I really hope you enjoy ! =) You should definitely go to one of his few shows. Meet him before or after and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Not only that, but his music will make you stop talking and listen. He was born into a family with 5 other siblings (two of which are also involved in music) making it hard to pursue music alone. But he’s done just that,
and I have never had more fun than when we are gallavanting around the small town of Grayslake after the show trying to explain to him that there is no where to go to besides the cornfields. After being in other bands and doing previous shows, he’s finally settled and said that this is the last band he’ll be in. After being looked upon by the six-membered Christian rock band Underoath, they said, ”Of course Big City is Someone. This dude
will be huge…trust us.” You may now click one of the following images and commence lurking this artist. =)

1. Who is your biggest musical influence? Why?

I would have to say Fiona Apple. I started listening to her when I was very young…I used to sing along with all of her songs.

2. From Where do you draw your inspiration?

All kinds of things…Mostly people watching, talking to friends/family about personal situations…I read a lot of good literature and movies…Usually the movies are dark/deep…they put me in a mood where I have to write in order to express what I’m feeling.

3. If you had the opportunity to perform onstage with any musician who would it be and why?

I would have to say Fiona Apple or Ben Folds. Fiona, as I said before, is my idol…and Ben Folds is such a wonderful performer. I love his sense of humor and the way he interacts with the audience.

4. What was it like touring with Kate Voegele?

So much fun! Usually tours can be really stressful and taxing on your body. The little tour with Kate was so much fun…and for the first time I started seeing touring as more of a joy than a job.

5. If you weren’t a musician what would you be doing?

Haha. I don’t like to think about that. I would probably be somehow involved in business marketing or advertising. Although I love writing…I thought about becoming an author when I first went to college.

6. Is there a story behind “Love is Trippy”?

Yea, I went to a very conservative Christian college…dating there was quite a task. There were a lot of rules..,etc. It was very difficult get to know someone without “stepping over the line”. So this made for lots of awkward experiences…a lot of first dates…not second ones…so I sort of wrote it after that.

7. What is your most memorable concert experience?

Most memorable concert experience was singing “Volcano” with Damien Rice in Iceland.

8. What made you decide to pursue music as a career?

I’m not sure when I really “decided”. It was always something I wanted to do. I guess when I left school last year and started touring full time was when I decided to make it my “career”.

9. Out of all the songs on your album which has the most meaning to you and why?

I would have to say “Simple things”. I spent about 6 and 1/2 years of my life living in Honduras with very little entertainment. I had to learn how to entertain myself and I had to learn how to take pleasure in “simple things”. This song takes me back.

10. What is your all time favorite song why?

That’s a really hard question. I love “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley, “Babylon” by David Gray. I also love “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac (personally I like the Dixie chicks version better)…and I love all of Damien Rice’s songs.

11. My Favorite TV show is: The Office

12. Something that I never travel without is: makeup!

13. The best thing about performing is: Afterwards…when I get to talk to my fans, relax, and have a drink ☺

14. Something My fans should bring me is: My fans do enough by coming to my shows, showing their support and being awesome. I couldn’t ask for more