Interviews: Antillectual

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the  Skate Punk/Punk Rock  band Antillectual from The Netherlands. Check out the interview and this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Willem: It’s a word I came up with when I was bored during class in high school. When we couldn’t find a better name we picked this option and kept it.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

Toon: I personally like a ton of different styles and genres of music. I ended up in Punk Rock because of it’s attitude, it’s ethics, and it’s community. Everybody seems to help eachother out: whether it’s setting up a show, offering a place to sleep, or offering a ride. It’s like a big family, and everybody is welcome! I know this is quite a cliché, but Punk Rock is so much more than just a musical genre.

Musically, I feel Punk Rock is very really flexible genre that offers a lot of leeway for expression and experimentation, whilst having a very low threshold. Literally anyone can pick up a guitar, learn three chords and start a band. You don’t have to be a virtuoso to play Punk Rock, but still you can be a virtuoso and play Punk Rock. That diversity really does it for me.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Toon: I did know Willem and Riekus before joining the band 5 years ago, but not before the band was first formed.

Riekus: I knew the people in the band a bit before I joined, but I think it’s safe to say we mostly got to know each other by playing in this band together.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Toon: I always have a lot of trouble with this… There’s just so many good music out there! But I guess my eternal go-to band would be Thin Lizzy.

Riekus:The Thermals and Modern Life Is War. And Queen

Willem: Propagandhi, Strike Anywhere, Hot Water Music

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Toon: Current events are a big driving force to write the songs we do. There’s a lot of things going on in the world that worry us, to which we want to raise our voice, to which we want to raise questions. There’s concern, there’s anger and frustration. But in the end, the message we want to convey is one of reflection and empowerment: if the world is on fire, we need to become the firemen ourselves. Critical times call for critical culture.

Willem: For our new single we were inspired by the upcoming right-wing movement all over the world; from Trump to Brexit, from AFD to Lega. It’s everywhere and it’s growing. It’s time to speak up.

6. Where was your last gig?

Willem: Our last show was Heisterkamp Open Air in Wanne Eickel, last Saturday June 9. Nice outdoor festival in the sun! Our last release was last Wednesday, June 6, when we released our new single “Heads You Win, Tails We Lose”. Check it out, it’s a fast song about the current populist wave we’re suffering from.

7. Where would you like to act?

Toon: Festivals like Gasteiz Calling, or Resurrection Fest. That would be amazing! Or closer to home: Groezrock or Ruhrpott Rodeo. Goals, goals…

Riekus: We’re very happy to be playing Actitud fest this summer! As for our bucket list: we’ve been lucky enough to cross off a lot of items recently (Latin America, Mexico, Japan, Canada), but Australia is definitely still on that list.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Willem: Live / tour I’d love to play with Face to Face. For a long time I thought I’d never see them live because of their break up, and ever since they reunited I haven’t seen a bad show by them. Recording / album Rodrigo Satanic Surfers. I’m in love with his voice and vocals since the 90s and would love to have him sing on one of our songs.

9. Whom not?

Willem: Any sexist, racist, homophobe or animal cruelty supporting person is not welcome on our albums, shows or tour van.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Toon: Stage fright is a big word. But, yes, I have had my fair share of excitement and anxiety. I sometimes still do actually, be it in a healthy dose. I think the best thing to do is embrace it, accept it. It’s completely natural to be tense when you’re about to perform in front of a crowd! Especially when it’s your first time, or you don’t do it very often. Of course that’s scary! But that tension, that fright, is also an energy that you can harness once you accept it for what it is, and get on that stage. I remember well the first gigs I played as a kid. I was scared shitless, sitting down in a corner in the 30 minute lead-up to a gig. But the moment I got on stage I let all that tension out, and turned it into energy.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Riekus: For me, musically speaking, it started with Guns N Roses, Bon Jovi and Queen, and then moved on to Bad Religion, Green Day, Face to Face. A more modern band I really admire for their originality (and drumming) is Touche Amore

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Toon: Somebody once wanted to buy the shirt I was wearing. It was this old, beat up, A Wilhelm Scream shirt. Like, with holes and permanent stains in it. And he offered quite a sum of money for it. But in the end, I declined. Apart from the fact that I had a very limited amount of shirts with me on tour, I’m quite fond of that one.

Riekus: Not me personally, but I recall a moment in Brazil where someone who came out to our show asked our former bass player to trade shorts. Glen didn’t really need a new pair of shorts, but the guy was happy to take the pair Glen had been wearing (and heavily sweating in) on stage for approximately a week. Poor guy..

13. What do you think of your fans?

Willem: You mean that like our music? I hardly think of them as “fans”, more like friends who share a  particular taste in music. And we’re very thankful that they like what we do and support us when releasing music and playing shows.

14. What do you think of our site?

Willem: Every site that supports punk/rock/hardcore music and the scene, and that includes political bands (like us) gets two big thumbs up for showing interest in our band and our new single, that we just released!

15. Something add?

Willem: If you want to hear our new single, check out antillectual.com/headsyouwin, it’s up there via all thinkable channels.

If you want to see us live; we’re playing Actitud Fest in Girona on July 27, our only Spanish date this year ...

Thanks for having an interview with us, keep up the good work!