Justin Sane
Encyclopedia
Justin Cathal Geever best known by his stage name Justin Sane, is the guitarist and singer/songwriter of the United States
-based musical group Anti-Flag
, a punk rock
band formed in 1988 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
known for its outspoken left-wing views. He holds dual US and Irish
citizenship and lives in Pittsburgh. His stage name was bestowed upon him by friends in Pittsburgh's punk scene.
advocate. As a boy he saw his parents participate in rallies, and as he got older he participated.
Sane's sister Lucy gave him his first guitar which got him into punk rock
and hardcore
. The first song Sane wrote was about a young person overdosing, and his second was about televangelists.
. Later that year, Andy Flag left the band as a result of personal disputes. Various band members came and went during 1997 and 1998, after which they finally settled on a permanent line-up consisting of Sane as guitarist/vocalist, Thetic as drummer, Chris Head as lead guitarist/backing vocalist, and Chris "#2" Barker as bassist/second vocalist. In 1998, the band released their second album, Their System Doesn't Work For You
.
In 1999 Anti-Flag released their third album, A New Kind of Army
, and founded their own label, A-F Records
. In 2001, they signed to Fat Wreck Chords
after discussions with the label's owner, "Fat Mike" Burkett. Following their switch to Fat Wreck Chords, the band released Underground Network
.
According the FAQ's on Anti-Flag's website, Justin was not or never was associated as the bassist of Avenged Sevenfold
.
Mobilize, recorded shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks
, was released early 2002. Anti-Flag released a split CD with Bouncing Souls seven months later. 2003 saw the release of The Terror State
, produced by Tom Morello
of Rage Against the Machine
. Anti-Flag's first DVD, Death of a Nation
, was released in 2004. The DVD includes live footage, three music videos, an interview with the band, behind-the-scenes tour footage, and three montages compiled by the band.
In 2006, Anti-Flag released For Blood and Empire
on RCA Records
. Many fans were skeptical of the band's decision to sign with a major label, though the album was well received. The Bright Lights of America
was released in 2008.
In May 2008, Sane moved to East End, London
; he has since returned to Pittsburgh.
On March 4, 2009, Sane jumped into the crowd at a concert at the LCR in Norwich
to stop a scuffle which broke out and landed awkwardly, breaking his collar bone. This caused Anti-Flag to cancel the remainder of their tour with Rise Against
and their upcoming headlining tour of Europe.
, now almost exclusively after becoming an endorser of ESP. In the past, Sane used Gibson Les Paul
s as well. Sane usually uses high gain Marshall amp heads like JCM800s, 900s, & 2000s and Marshall 1960 cabs. Sane and Head have used Orange and Hiwatt amplifiers and cabinets on recent tours.
, majoring in communications and minoring in political science
.
. These recordings generally focus on love, family, and more everyday concepts rather than the politically charged stance of Anti-Flag. He is currently working on a new solo record, and has began to preview new tracks during live performances.
Solo:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-based musical group Anti-Flag
Anti-Flag
Anti-Flag is a punk rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States, formed in 1988. The band is well known for its outspoken political views. Much of the band's lyrics have focused on fervent anti-war activism, criticism of United States foreign policy, corporatism, U.S. wealth...
, a punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band formed in 1988 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
known for its outspoken left-wing views. He holds dual US and Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
citizenship and lives in Pittsburgh. His stage name was bestowed upon him by friends in Pittsburgh's punk scene.
Early life
Sane was born the youngest child in a working class Irish-American family, and cites his parents as inspirations. They opened the first vegetarian restaurant in Pittsburgh, inspiring Sane to become a vegetarian and animal rightsAnimal rights
Animal rights, also known as animal liberation, is the idea that the most basic interests of non-human animals should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings...
advocate. As a boy he saw his parents participate in rallies, and as he got older he participated.
Sane's sister Lucy gave him his first guitar which got him into punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
and hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
. The first song Sane wrote was about a young person overdosing, and his second was about televangelists.
Career
In 1988, Sane formed Anti-Flag with friend Pat Thetic. In 1996, they released their first album, Die for the GovernmentDie for the Government
- Personnel :*Justin Sane – guitar/vocals*Andy Flag – bass/vocals*Pat Thetic – drums* Andy Wright mixed tracks 4,6,7,8,12,13,16, and 17.* Andy "Reagan" Wheeler, Ricky "Reagan" Wright, Anne Flag, Mike Poisel, Mike Armstrong, Dan D. Lion, Jason DeCosta, and the band Disco Crisis all provided back up...
. Later that year, Andy Flag left the band as a result of personal disputes. Various band members came and went during 1997 and 1998, after which they finally settled on a permanent line-up consisting of Sane as guitarist/vocalist, Thetic as drummer, Chris Head as lead guitarist/backing vocalist, and Chris "#2" Barker as bassist/second vocalist. In 1998, the band released their second album, Their System Doesn't Work For You
Their System Doesn't Work for You
Their System Doesn't Work for You is a compilation album by punk band Anti-Flag, released in 1998. It is a reprint of the Anti-Flag songs available on their split album North America Sucks plus 10 unreleased live tracks...
.
In 1999 Anti-Flag released their third album, A New Kind of Army
A New Kind of Army
A New Kind of Army is a punk rock album originally released by Anti-Flag on May 25, 1999. It was reissued by A-F Records on October 19, 2004...
, and founded their own label, A-F Records
A-F Records
A-F Records is an independent record label originated by the band Anti-Flag, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. This label was created to help expose more political punk rock bands to a greater audience...
. In 2001, they signed to Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
after discussions with the label's owner, "Fat Mike" Burkett. Following their switch to Fat Wreck Chords, the band released Underground Network
Underground Network
Underground Network is the name of Anti-Flag's third album, released on Fat Wreck Chords in 2001. Widely considered to be the band's breakthrough album, it helped make Anti-Flag become a household name in the US punk scene with tracks like "Underground Network," "Bring Out Your Dead," and "Stars...
.
According the FAQ's on Anti-Flag's website, Justin was not or never was associated as the bassist of Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1999, the group consists of vocalist M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ....
.
Mobilize, recorded shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
, was released early 2002. Anti-Flag released a split CD with Bouncing Souls seven months later. 2003 saw the release of The Terror State
The Terror State
-Personnel:* Justin Sane- Guitar & lead vocals* Chris Head- Guitar & vocals* Chris #2- Bass & lead vocals* Pat Thetic- Drums...
, produced by Tom Morello
Tom Morello
Thomas Baptiste "Tom" Morello is a Grammy Award-winning American guitarist best known for his tenure with the bands Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, his acoustic solo act The Nightwatchman, and his newest group, Street Sweeper Social Club...
of Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
. Anti-Flag's first DVD, Death of a Nation
Death of a Nation
Death of a Nation is a live DVD by Anti-Flag. It was filmed throughoutThe Terror State tour at a variety of North American shows. Death of a Nation features a variety of performances in different types of venues.- Track listing :...
, was released in 2004. The DVD includes live footage, three music videos, an interview with the band, behind-the-scenes tour footage, and three montages compiled by the band.
In 2006, Anti-Flag released For Blood and Empire
For Blood and Empire
-Variations:*Some Australian and European releases add "Corporate Rock" – 1:53 as track 14.*The Japanese release adds "The New Millennium Generation" - 3:08 as track 14...
on RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
. Many fans were skeptical of the band's decision to sign with a major label, though the album was well received. The Bright Lights of America
The Bright Lights of America
-Chart positions:...
was released in 2008.
In May 2008, Sane moved to East End, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
; he has since returned to Pittsburgh.
On March 4, 2009, Sane jumped into the crowd at a concert at the LCR in Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
to stop a scuffle which broke out and landed awkwardly, breaking his collar bone. This caused Anti-Flag to cancel the remainder of their tour with Rise Against
Rise Against
Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The band currently consists of Tim McIlrath , Zach Blair , Joe Principe and Brandon Barnes .Rise Against spent its first five years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which it...
and their upcoming headlining tour of Europe.
Equipment
Sane primarily uses ESP and LTD EclipsesESP Eclipse
ESP Eclipse is an electric guitar model distributed by ESP.There are many different variations of the Eclipse, including the Eclipse-I, Eclipse-I CTM, Eclipse-I CTM , Eclipse-II, Eclipse-II, and Eclipse Custom. ESP also makes several models under its LTD brand that are based on the Eclipse...
, now almost exclusively after becoming an endorser of ESP. In the past, Sane used Gibson Les Paul
Gibson Les Paul
The Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
s as well. Sane usually uses high gain Marshall amp heads like JCM800s, 900s, & 2000s and Marshall 1960 cabs. Sane and Head have used Orange and Hiwatt amplifiers and cabinets on recent tours.
Education
Sane graduated from The Oakland School in Pittsburgh and the University of PittsburghUniversity of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
, majoring in communications and minoring in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
.
Solo work
Sane has release several solo recordings, such as 2001's six-track EP These are the Days and 2003's Life, Love and the Pursuit of JusticeLife, Love and the Pursuit of Justice
Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Justice is the first solo album by Justin Sane, lead singer of the punk rock band Anti-Flag. The album is entirely his own work, featuring his vocal and guitar work and demonstrating obvious influence from Billy Bragg's earlier recordings...
. These recordings generally focus on love, family, and more everyday concepts rather than the politically charged stance of Anti-Flag. He is currently working on a new solo record, and has began to preview new tracks during live performances.
Discography
Anti-Flag:- Die for the GovernmentDie for the Government- Personnel :*Justin Sane – guitar/vocals*Andy Flag – bass/vocals*Pat Thetic – drums* Andy Wright mixed tracks 4,6,7,8,12,13,16, and 17.* Andy "Reagan" Wheeler, Ricky "Reagan" Wright, Anne Flag, Mike Poisel, Mike Armstrong, Dan D. Lion, Jason DeCosta, and the band Disco Crisis all provided back up...
(1996) - North America SucksNorth America SucksNorth America Sucks is a split album released by punk bands Anti-Flag and d.b.s. in 1996. Only 1,000 copies of the album were pressed. The first 10 tracks are by Anti-Flag. Tracks 11-18 are by d.b.s....
(1998) - Their System Doesn't Work for YouTheir System Doesn't Work for YouTheir System Doesn't Work for You is a compilation album by punk band Anti-Flag, released in 1998. It is a reprint of the Anti-Flag songs available on their split album North America Sucks plus 10 unreleased live tracks...
(1998) - A New Kind of ArmyA New Kind of ArmyA New Kind of Army is a punk rock album originally released by Anti-Flag on May 25, 1999. It was reissued by A-F Records on October 19, 2004...
(1999) - Underground NetworkUnderground NetworkUnderground Network is the name of Anti-Flag's third album, released on Fat Wreck Chords in 2001. Widely considered to be the band's breakthrough album, it helped make Anti-Flag become a household name in the US punk scene with tracks like "Underground Network," "Bring Out Your Dead," and "Stars...
(2001) - Mobilize (2002)
- BYO Split Series, Vol 4 (2002)
- The Terror StateThe Terror State-Personnel:* Justin Sane- Guitar & lead vocals* Chris Head- Guitar & vocals* Chris #2- Bass & lead vocals* Pat Thetic- Drums...
(2003) - For Blood and EmpireFor Blood and Empire-Variations:*Some Australian and European releases add "Corporate Rock" – 1:53 as track 14.*The Japanese release adds "The New Millennium Generation" - 3:08 as track 14...
(2006) - A Benefit For The Victims Of Violent Crime (2007)
- The Bright Lights of AmericaThe Bright Lights of America-Chart positions:...
(2008) - The People or the GunThe People or the GunThe People or the Gun is Anti-Flag's seventh studio album. The album was released on June 9, 2009. It was their first album released on independent label SideOneDummy Records after the band's two-record contract ended with RCA Records. The first track, "Sodom, Gomorrah, Washington D.C...
(2009)
Solo:
- Life, Love, and the Pursuit of JusticeLife, Love and the Pursuit of JusticeLife, Love, and the Pursuit of Justice is the first solo album by Justin Sane, lead singer of the punk rock band Anti-Flag. The album is entirely his own work, featuring his vocal and guitar work and demonstrating obvious influence from Billy Bragg's earlier recordings...
(2002) - These are the Days EP (2002)
- Gas Land Terror EP (2011)