Anti-Flag Rock The Clash at Eastpak
Anti-Flag – Eastpak Store in Carnaby street – 15 October 2009
Appearance by George Petit of Alexisonfire
Word by Brendan Monteiro / Poladroids by Marcus Maschwitz
The setting for tonights little endeavor is the Eastpak store on Carnaby street, not the most iconic of venues but with a mere 40 or so people lucky enough to be inside it is an experience no one can surely forget. It is not the first time that Anti-Flag have performed a full set of The Clash covers (On May 1, 2009 they performed at Hoodwink in New Jersey) but what makes this such a special occasion is the location. With The Clash hailing from UK it’s only fitting that Anti-Flag make the transition of once playing these songs in their basement, and now entertaining in London. The Clash’s influence has run as far and wide as U2, Rancid, Bad Brains and The White Stripes and it’s a no brainer that Anti-Flag draw huge amounts of inspiration from the legendary punk outfit. It feels as if tonight is almost a salute from Anti-Flag to The Clash, showing their inherent respect for one of punk’s best.
As 8:30 rolls on Justin Sane, Pat Thetic and Chris Head take to the informal stage, once Chris 2 makes his way to the front the beginnings of London Calling echo around the small shop and it’s imminent that tonight is going to rock like non other. Career Opportunities is almost like a soundtrack to the recession we are currently dealing with and seems fitting on the small setlist. George Petit of Canada’s Alexisonfire makes an appearance mid set, as if it’s just a little get together of old friends. It’s an amazing set by and extraordinary band but the night goes on quicker than it should and soon enough I Fought The Law and Should I Stay are done and dusted and with that the band pack up and mingle for a bit in the crowd. The Clash were sometimes referred to as “The Only Band That Matters”, tonight Anti-Flag could not make that sentiment any more truthful.
