Interview With Brigada Flores Magon, Jan. 2001

INSURGENCE - Can you provide us with some history behind the formation of the band? What are your musical and ideological influences or motivations?

BFM - Brigada has existed under the current formation since September 1996, but the history of the band began two years earlier when the singer (Mateo) and one of the guitarists (Victor) met with the idea of setting up a punk rock band (both of them were punks). In fact, we all knew each other before playing together, as we were all militants and/or very close to the CNT (conf??ation nationale du travail, national confederation of work), which is an anarcho-syndicalist union. Of course, when several militant musicians set up a band, this one is of course politically 'colored'. Brigada is then a politicized band, but absolutely not a propaganda band. We are libertarian-communists everyday, so our music, our texts as our daily life is influenced by our involvement. Concerning the musical influences, we almost all listen to the same things, even if some are more hardcore than others. But the French punk rock alternative scene (B?urier Noir, Nuclear Device, Camera Silence, etc) of the 80s, as well as the standards of British and international Oi! are our common influences, without a doubt. Our deep motivation is to be part of an autonomous and alternative cultural way in order to make some ideas and behaviors come through with street punk as the common vector.

INSURGENCE - Explain the significance of the name, 'Flores Magon'.

BFM - Ricardo Flores Magon was one of the main figures of the Mexican revolution at the beginning of the century. He was a convinced and militant revolutionary anarchist. He was a supporter of the revolution as long as it was in the service of the people, but also he was one of the first to denounce its institutional drift. Loyal to certain revolutionary ethics, he condemned underhandedness of this or that cacique getting rid of soil, petrol fields or mines to US companies. He was kind of the father of American anti-imperialism and died for it in the US Leavenworth penitentiary in 1922.

INSURGENCE - What is the scene like in Paris and how does it compare to or differ from the rest of France?

BFM - There are in fact very few differences between the Paris scene and that of the rest of the country. In both cases, it was almost non-existent until very recent times. We've felt a strong punk and Oi! revival for one or two years now, but it is almost due to the fact that this movement has developed itself strongly in the countries which surround us, like Germany, Switzerland and most of all, Italy. France, as usual, is late.... but we have Johnny Halliday!

INSURGENCE - Are you affiliated to or a part of RASH?

BFM - One of the guitarists of the band is a founding member of the Paris RASH, so the band is therefore very closely linked to this section.

INSURGENCE - People in Canada, particularly in Quebec, are familiar with France's extreme-right Front National. How do you view the situation in France with the FN dominating the electoral vote within the working class?

BFM - The situation of the extreme right in France has evolved very quickly in the last few months, and seemingly in a good direction. In fact, what should have happened has actually happened; that is, as with every group of idiots, everybody wants to be the chief and the wolves end up eating each other. It is important to remain vigilant, because the political menace of the FN is still real, as this party has never existed through a militant strength, even when it reached 20% in elections. They were always a tiny group, but have skillfully used the democratic process (that they fight) in order to exist strongly in the voting urns. French law then allows them access to a lot of public funds, so they do not even need to be a militant force. They have the means to pay private companies in order to stick their posters and distribute their leaflets in mailboxes. Each new high score brought them more cash, and they became a well-oiled machine. Compliant media have built a golden bridge to the FN president (as people vote for him, he is himself a good selling media), we found ourselves in the middle of the 90s in such a situation that some comrades decided to get into anti-fascist armed struggle in southern France. Fortunately, wolves remain wolves and the FN seems moribund today, but we have to watch out.

INSURGENCE - What issues of the day most affect or make an impact on the band?

BFM - There is actually no specific event that affects us, but simply our daily life surrounded by the social and political problems that give us a vision about this society and a very strong will to change it.

INSURGENCE - Any other projects the band is involved in?

BFM - We're currently working on new songs, and hope to arrange a 6-track 25cm vinyl record - nostalgia when you hold it!

INSURGENCE - Future plans?

BFM - Always more gigs. We try to support the renewal of the alternative scene in France and in Europe. Maybe a small tour in Canada soon? Anyway, thanks for all. Keep on keeping on!

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