Family Night of Anti-Flag, Anarchy, & Power to the Peaceful (video)

Since our kids were little, one of our favorite things to do as a family has been to see bands play. We took them to their very first show at the House of Blues about five years ago to see Less Than Jake, and on Sunday night, we headed back to the same HOB in Anaheim to catch the one-and-only Anti-Flag put on an inspiring and powerful show.

With Broadway Calls, Cancer Bats, and Aiden opening, it was a punk-filled night with an energetic audience, great sound, and magnificent vibes. We had an awesome spot over near the stage on the right-hand side of the venue so the kids could see well and we stood atop the few stairs there, so as not to get caught in the multitude of circle pits.

Anti-Flag has held a special place in my heart for many years, though this was the first time we had seen them play live (except for Brynn, who had caught their show at the Bamboozle festival a few years back). The positive atmosphere and essential messages that this band spreads ring so true to our ideologies and there is just nothing better than singing along to sentiments of anti-capitalism, anti-war, anti-fascism, resistance and revolution.

Unfortunately, Justin Sane was absent for the show, having just lost a loved one, he was on a plane traveling to the funeral and to be by his family's side; so bassist Chris #2 took over, leading the band with so much passion and emotion. It was an incredibly powerful night and we all enjoyed it tremendously.

Check out this video I shot, featuring the final song where A-F covers The Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go." A few particularly awesome moments:

• 2:00 - Chris talks about how within these walls no racism, no sexism, no homophobia, no bigotry exists...

• 4:11 - Drummer Pat Thetic jumps down into the crowd, as the crew lifts his drums down to him and the band plays "Power to the Peaceful"

Power to the Peaceful
Power to the Peaceful
Whoa-oh!
Power to the Peaceful
Power to the Peaceful
Whoa-oh!

This is not a war
of the urging people
This is not a war
of economic independance
It's a war for conquest
It's a war for military power
It's a war for money
The road to universal slaughter

Sons and daughters of a dream
The urge to struggle for an ideal
To stay and fight
Oppose war fever
Refuse to kill or be killed

There's voices calling in the wind
Power to the Peaceful
You know it's Power to the Peaceful.