Anti-Flag

Sometimes it's difficult to remember that punk rock was initially born out of a spirit of dissent and rebellion. The political punks in Anti-Flag are one of the few bands keeping that alive — and despite the fact that its new major-label album The Bright Lights Of America is unapologetically slick, songs like the album's title track sound just as passionate as the band's 1996 anthem "You've Got to Die For The Government." This being an election year, expect equal parts preaching and punk rock live — and if you've been apathetic about the candidates so far, the band's mohawked bassist/vocalist Chris #2 is sure to shock your system into action. Ever wonder what happened to Woody Guthrie's spirit? Look no further than Anti-Flag's buzzing guitars.