Antillectual

In 2008 we wrote a song called The New Jew, which ended up on our album “Start From Scratch!” in 2010. The lyrics are about Dutch politician Geert Wilders and a new political right-wing movement in Holland. We wrote liner notes to the song in the album artwork and we introduce the song and its message when we play it live. But since there was little English documentation about Wilders not many people outside of the Netherlands really know what the context is.

Since Wilders’ provocations no longer only stir Dutch Muslims but are pointed at Middle and Eastern European immigrants and workers, international political unrest started. Wilders’ political Freedom Party (PVV) created an official reporting site where people can file complaints about Middle and Eastern European immigrants and workers. Since Wilders and his party are part of the Dutch government, foreign politicians are not amused.

Also Dutch politicians, celebrities and artists have had it with this politician’s view points. Being the prophets that we were in 2008, many initiatives are being taken right now to speak out against Wilders and his ideas. The Black Atlantic (an upcoming Dutch folk band) will organize a big benefit concert in The Hague, and many (funny!) ironic reporting sites have come to existence.

In 2011 the BBC made a very interesting documentary (in English) about Geert Wilders. The makers followed him campaigning, standing trial on charges of “incitement to hatred” (a trial Wilders later won) and give insight in the international anti-Islamic network that supports him.

You can find the BBC documentary about Geert Wilders linked on our Youtube channel. Please have a look, educate yourself.

Read the introduction and liner notes we wrote ourselves, and listen to The New Jew.

When you are in a band, you need others to play music. But as a (DIY) band you can’t do everything on your own either. Without friends that help us book shows and tours, release albums, give (good) advice and contacts we would be nowhere. Besides helping us out, our friends are doing really cool things on their own.

Former bass player Yvo and his Typewriter Distro will be going on tour with Rise Against next March to spread their words and wisdom. If you go to a show, just say hello!

Our “mom” Etjen from Just Like Your Mom has been our behind the scenes help since forever. On this year’s edition of Groezrock “mom” will provide vegan food for the first time. Finally food that lives up to this festival’s standards! OMNOMNOMNOM MOM!

Our friend Lenneke from Macbeth hosts another Macbeth stage at Groezrock. Yes, it’s a competition, but you get to play a crazy show! We had an amazing time when we did it 2 years ago. And while you are at Groezrock you might as well visit our Dutch and Italian labels Shield Recordings and No Reason Records at their stands in the merch tent.

Friends till the end!

The first weekend has passed and we have been having a sweet time in Münster, Aachen, Lindern and Mainz. We met some crazy new people and some good old friends. One thing keeps surprising us: the amount of people that come to our shows after seeing us play with Rise Against and Boysetsfire. Playing in front of a different crowd is the main reason why supports like those are cool to play, but when people actually come to our own shows afterwards, that is the most rewarding.

During our next weekend trip to Germany we will be playing Frankfurt and Innsbrück, two cities where we played with BSF. In Frankfurt we play right below the Batschkapp; the venue where we played twice with BSF this summer. It would be great to see familiar faces from those shows! On January 29 we still need a show between Regensburg and the Netherlands or between Göttingen and Strassbourg. Info@antillectual.com for help!

JAN 25 11ER, Frankfurt. w/ A State of Grace, Society Off
JAN 26 GLOCKENBACHWERKSTATT, München. w/ Grizzly Tours, Todeskommando Atomsturm
JAN 27 PMK, Innsbruck. w/ 7YearsBadLuck
JAN 28 ALTE MÄLZEREI, Regensburg. w/Glorious Thieves, Red Button, Nice Guy Eddie, Balloon Pilot
JAN 29 AVAILABLE!

FEB 15 AVAILABLE!
FEB 16 VL LUDWIGSTRASSE, Halle (Saale). *Acoustic*
FEB 17 JKC, Kamen. w/ Die Eule Im Bart des Judas, All Aboard
FEB 18 AVAILABLE!

Holland’s biggest “decent” newspaper featured us in their article about Dutch music export in 2010. We made it to the top 30, 3rd year in a row. We did even more than 60 shows, but having our name in the Volkskrant, we can die a happy band now. But we won’t. DIY!

The rest of the article tells that the economic export value of Dutch pop music grew in 2010. The results of the research were presented during the Eurosonic/Noorderslag festival where, ironically, none of the featured bands played. Been there done that last year though …