Antillectual's debut full length “Silencing Civilization” (2005) gets a lot of critical acclaim and creates the opportunity to tour Europe and the USA. The albums “Testimony” (2008) and “Start From Scratch!” (2010) are released in Europe, the USA, Russia, and Japan followed by non-stop touring in Europe and the USA.
Antillectual’s music is melodic yet energetic. Influences from punk to metal to hardcore to emo give the band a raw and diverse sound. The critical lyrics range from political to personal. Antillectual combines a Do-It-Yourself attitude with a professional approach. The band supports a vegetarian / vegan lifestyle, as well as organic, fair-trade and other sustainable products.
Antillectual plays impressing, energizing and inspiring live shows. In total the band played 500+ shows in the USA and almost every European country.
Supported bands: Rise Against, the Gaslight Anthem, Against Me!, Propagandhi, Hot Water Music and many more.
Festivals played: The Fest 7 (Fl, USA), Fluff Fest (Cz), Incubate (NL), Give It A Name fest (Ita), Valkhof Affaire (NL), Break the Silence (Ger), Trashfest (NL) and many more.
The Dutch Music Institute's (NPI) MusicXport program supports Antillectual and Buma Culture classified Antillectual as "Top Musical Export 2008".
Antillectual’s highly anticipated 3rd album features 12 songs ranging from blazing hardcore to emo rock, accompanied by lyrics on politics, protest and personal perceptions. All this supported by pounding drums and catchy guitar riffs. Release November 1st, 2010 by 10 different labels throughout the USA, Russia and Europe.
Members:
Willem: vocals / guitar
Toon: Bass / vocals
Riekus: drums / vocals
Friendly Fire
Antillectual Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Houses bombed away
Your own citizens executed
But it is your policy you say
Incidents that you deny
Coincidences you claim
Are those your standards; are those your values?
Now who is next to blame?
This anarchy that you have installed
Is not the type we recommended
What is your status symbol now?
A beheaded embodiment of western arrogance
At least you have got us on your side
Euthanasia, abortion, Dutch gay-pride
But for once you will allow it
European decadence next time a reason to conquest us too?
So where is your status symbol now?
The lyrics of "Friendly Fire" by the punk rock band Antillectual speak on the implications of state-sanctioned violence and the hypocrisy that comes with it. The song talks about the atrocities that are committed in the name of a policy, with bodies being slashed apart and houses being bombed away. The government executes its own citizens, yet it justifies its actions with a claim that it is in compliance with its policy. The song holds the government accountable for denying the incidents and claiming them as coincidences. The band questions the values and standards of such a government, pondering who will be next in the blame game, and how far that blame can be pushed.
The chorus condemns the anarchy that has been installed in the name of power, calling it out as not the type that the people expected or recommended. The lyrics mock the status symbol of western arrogance represented by a beheaded embodiment. The song speaks of how the government allows acts such as euthanasia, abortion, and Dutch gay-pride instead of impeding on citizens' rights, the outcome of which may lead to European decadence next time; that becomes a reason to conquer them.
In conclusion, "Friendly Fire" is a song about accountability and the repercussions of state-sanctioned violence, hypocrisy, and power games that cost human lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Bodies slashed apart, into pieces
People have been dismembered and killed due to conflict.
Houses bombed away
Homes have been destroyed in the process of war.
Your own citizens executed
The government has killed its own citizens as part of their policies.
But it is your policy you say
The government blames policy rather than accepting responsibility for the harm caused.
Incidents that you deny
The government denies incidents have taken place when they have.
Coincidences you claim
The government says events are merely coincidental rather than accepting responsibility.
Are those your standards; are those your values?
The singer questions the government's morality and whether these actions align with their values.
The chase was so much better than the catch
The act of pursuing a goal was more exciting than actually achieving it.
Now who is next to blame?
The singer wonders who will be the next victim of the government's harmful policies.
This anarchy you have installed
The government has created a state of chaos and lawlessness.
Is not the type we recommended
The singer suggests that the government has gone against advice given.
What is your status symbol now?
The government's power and influence have been diminished due to their actions.
A beheaded embodiment of western arrogance
The government has become a symbol of western arrogance, destroyed and defeated.
At least you have got us on your side
The government has gained the support of the singer due to shared beliefs on certain issues.
Euthanasia, abortion, Dutch gay-pride
The shared beliefs include support for euthanasia, abortion, and the Dutch gay pride movement.
But for once you will allow it
The government is willing to allow these beliefs to be expressed, but this is an exception rather than a rule.
European decadence next time a reason to conquest us too?
The government fears that the acceptance of a European lifestyle will lead to cultural conquest.
So where is your status symbol now?
The singer asks again where the government's power and influence lie after the harm they have caused.
Writer(s): David Witkowski
Contributed by Gabriel E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
riper76
My favorite song ever of Antillectual