Raise the Flag

Throughout its 20-year career, Pittsburgh political punk outfit Anti-Flag has had to defend and/or explain its name far too many times. You would think the old Samuel Johnson bon mot, "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel," would sum it up, but instead, the group lets its music speak for itself. It's known for playing punk rock of the classic English pedigree — think Stiff Little Fingers meets Descendents — but with all the thrasher energy of Black Flag as well.

On one of three Warped Tour appearances, this potent mix gained the guys a record deal with Southern California label Fat Wreck Chords (owned by Fat Mike of Warped Tour stalwarts NOFX). More recently, on its major-label debut, 2006's For Blood and Empire, Anti-Flag maintains its Pittsburgh-style dourness, having adopted little of their So-Cal labelmates' humorous sarcasm. Songs like "Depleted Uranium Is a War Crime" and "The W.T.O. Kills Farmers" offer the standard lefty-punk sentiments. Indeed, the band's entire catalog of songs reads like so many manifestos against war and blind patriotism and in favor of feminism and social activism. Still, its frenetic current on stage and heavily chorused anthems end up fitting neatly between Green Day and Pennywise.

Anti-Flag plays at 7 p.m. Friday, April 13, at Revolution, 200 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Set Your Goals and Dig D and the Kids Table are also on the bill. Tickets cost $14. Call 954-727-0950. or visit www.jointherevolution.net.