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Antimaniax

As Long As People Think (2002)
Household Name Records

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Contributed by: Mike
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on October 28th 2003

I'm writing this whilst I'm supposed to be doing an essay on the Middle East; and before you start getting the Israel rhetoric out, it's dull trust me. Writing this may actually affect my grade, I have approximately 2:43 hours to write the final 300 words and hand it in. But this album is probably worth it.

I doubt many people have heard of this band, I picked it out at random from my local music shop (the Rock Box in Camberley, one of the best indie record shops in the UK). But I've had some luck with that place and have picked out random things such as C-22 Keatsby Nights and NUFAN Making Friends. I based the decision on that I wanted something political with some balls and the title and some of the tracks fitted that description.

And damn, does this album have balls. The opening track "Chilli Con Tofu" somewhat reminds me of 180 Degrees by NOFX in that it starts off with a similar grinding guitar rythmn, although altered and better, and then breaks into ska for the verses. One of the great things about this band are the lyrics, for they don't fit standard patterns. I'm not sure whether they read poetry or because they're Austrian and writing in a 2nd language but their rhythms are just great.

The music here is top notch, the guitarist played things I have never heard before (the very odd ska palm mutes on Suit, Tie, Cash), and generally the absolutely crisp way in which a song can rise from hardcore and suddenly dip into a ska bridge is fantastic.

The stand out tracks on this album would have to be Chilli Con Tofu, Whose war is it?, Suit Tie Cash and Bad Ideas Behind Low Attitudes. Both for their messages and their music; except for Chilli con Tofu which is there purely for music, as it may be the best song about giving up meat I've ever heard (the song is actually a recipe for tofu), I'm still not converted. I suck I know.

The things that bug me about this album would be that sometimes the back-up vocals are a little annoying. As opposed to the vocalist who has quite a soft and powerful voice (I think a bit like Chris in Propagandhi), the back-up is a bit rough and sometimes doesn't really fit in. I should be pissed about the length, 24 minutes including a 1 minute instrumental over a chomsky speech, I'm not because it's that good.

A skacore must. Seriously. I think this is better than CV 'No Gods/No Managers' and Suicide Machines 'Destruction by definition' I honestly do. But I'm seriously pissed that these guys supported Leftover Crack AND I COULDN'T GET ANY FUCKING TICKETS!

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Anonymous (December 30, 2005)

antimaniax makes very good music!
greetz annalena

Anonymous (September 2, 2004)

Antimaniax is one of tthe most talented bands around!

*johnny

Anonymous (January 15, 2004)

uargh boring copycats...suck my dick you austrian faggots

funkisdead (October 29, 2003)

i think, stylistically speaking, there are some similarities to choking victim. but with cv gone, is that really such a bad thing? i dont find their sound derivative, at all. i think they wear their influences on their sleeve. they meld skate punk and skacore insanity with intelligent, positive lyrics.
i also disagree with the propagandhi comparison. i hear more bigwig than propagandhi.
i also think, even if they HAD worn their influences on their sleeves, the mixture is unique enough to keep kids interested. they have a niche.

and i'm sorry you caught them on a bad night. its a shame... trying to gain exposure when you're based in an austrian village is not so easy. i've seen them well over 10 times, and they never ceased to amaze me.

Anonymous (October 29, 2003)

Woah! Copying LOC, get your chronology right. And as for Propagandhi, SKA, ok, SKAAAA, it's an integral part of the band. Plus Propagandhi never use harmonies like these guys do (Operation Anthill) except for maybe some of their covers.

Lunk (October 29, 2003)

i also find myself writing reviews around assessment time each semeseter. crazy...

Anonymous (October 29, 2003)

I've seen them live as well, Edward, and was disappointed. Too much copying LOC, Propaghandi, and shite British "skacore" bands. I don't think they're bad, just nothing special.

TahoeJeff (October 28, 2003)

masturbation is my anti-drug.

Anonymous (October 28, 2003)

OR gas. nothing says "you'll have gas" like chili con tofu. that is FOR SURE

masturbation!

TahoeJeff (October 28, 2003)

I've got Balls!!!...Nothing says "I've got Balls!" like Chilli Con Tofu...

funkisdead (October 28, 2003)

man, i lived in austria for 3 years, and i did a couple gigs for these guys supporting f minus, leftover crack, and had the privilege of playing with them a couple times.
i love their records, but prefer the crazier ska of the first ep to this.
these are great guys with a great future.
i realize this page is in reference to their records, but i have to say that this is by far one of the best live bands i've ever seen. unfucking believable. i doubt they'll make it to the states for a while, but if you are in the UK or europe, they tour everywhere all the time and do not disappoint.

sincerely,
edward ricart.