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Agent Bulldogg-har vi hört den om dom förut?

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Internet… We can love it or loathe it. Regardless, it certainly affects us all. 
One of the bad things with the internet, that I think we can all agree on, is the fact that online, facts themselves don’t really have to be facts at all to be accepted as such. Instead, facts gain status as “true” when repeated, re-tweeted or liked, enough times. 


This reminds me of the logic behind the schoolyard slander I, and probably many of you, experienced as a kid. Many times it would happened that I got accused of doing or saying something I simply had not. Usually it was the result of the other kids talking behind my back, without me having a clue about what they had been saying. Not until someone, usually one of the teachers confronted you with the story these kids had been given him or her about what you had done, you were informed. At that point, regardless of your defence, explanation or version of what had happened or been said, you had no chance to redeem yourself as the first story had already been accepted as the truth. Just like on the internet. 
I am certain most people have had a similar experience, be it from kindergarten, school, neighbours, your work place or with your friends. The fact is that all people lie, in one way or another. Some might not know better and do it unintentionally, some add something to better a good story, some do it out of malice or to gain something themselves, and some do it by leaving out certain events or facts that would speak against a certain agenda or “truth” they claim to present and represent.


When we started the band we had no visions or big dreams. We started because we wanted something to do on our spare time. Nothing more, nothing less. We didn’t have any agenda, so to speak. We were not party politically motivated – even if describing your life is always “political” in a sense. We were not interested in telling people how to think, what to vote for – or against – and what to believe in. We were, however, interested in telling people to think. To see beyond what the ruling class the media and authorities in general wants us to see, think and obey to.


If there has ever been any message in our music it has been; enjoy life with its ups and downs but do not believe in ANY authority, or people, claiming certain people are better than others because of where they were born, by whom they were born, what God they chose to believe in or who they want to sleep with; do not believe in any structures, paradigms or politics that only serves to divide people in to a “them” and “us”. 
Our position has always been that if any person, group of people or authority say they know what is best for you, your family, your scene, your country or humanity, they are most probably liars with an agenda of their own – an agenda that most probably do not include you or your wellbeing as an individual. They do, however, need your support, your votes and your loyalty to push their agenda, and will feed you with their ideology, their version of “the truth”, to get support from you. 


Now, we, Agent Bulldogg are being scrutinised and stand accused of being something we are not – a band with right-wing views – all because of other bands we have played with. Once again, just like when we were kids, someone has told the teacher lies about what we have said and done. It has been spread across the internet, been repeated and re-tweeted and finally accepted as the truth. Hopefully, this is not the school yard, and maybe we have a chance to redeem ourselves:


We are not, have never been and never will be a racist or a fascist band. To say that we are, and try to “prove” that we are, simply based on what other bands we have played with in the past, is just silly. Yes, we have played with bands whose views, opinions and values we don’t agree with at all. Many bands other than us have done that too. However, when analysing these new rumours of us being a racist band, spread by internet warriors and hatemongers, it all boils down to one event, a festival gig we did in 2013. 


Unbeknownst to us, at this festival a German right-wing band was also playing. At the time of the festival we had genuinely no idea what kind of band they were, as we are not part of that scene and not into that kind of ideology and politics. And in all honesty, the band’s name was not a giveaway either. Quite frankly, their name sounds like a “funnily” misspelt psychobilly band name, if anything. We do of course regret playing with them, now that we know what kind of ideas they promote, and we do not want to preform alongside bands with such ideas. Of course we have no-one to blame but ourselves for being ignorant to this fact. This ignorant mistake will of course not be repeated and we sincerely want to apologise to anyone and everyone who has been offended by this and by us for playing that gig.


One of the bad things with the internet, that I think we can all agree on, is the fact that online, facts themselves don’t really have to be facts at all to be accepted as such. Instead, facts gain status as “true” when repeated, re-tweeted or liked, enough times. As a band we are indeed aware of this phenomenon at this point. 
As we have always encouraged people to think for themselves, and not just accept the omnipotent picture presented to them, it is interesting to ask oneself why someone would portrait us as something we are not? Is it because they don’t know better, is it to better a good story, is it out of malice, to gain something themselves, or simply because it promotes their own agenda? What is their agenda?


We will probably never know why, but following the arguments of a whole bunch of philosophers, for example from Louis Althusser to Slavoj Žižek, it is fair to say that the ones spreading these lies are probably convinced that what they are saying about us is true, or that they need it to be true to make their own world logic, to make sense of, or cope with, what they are experiencing in their lives. Now they are trying to convince others of their version of the truth. They want you to support their cause, they want your vote! Are you sure you want to give it to them?

Regardless of what, the bottom line is still this; 
We are not, have never been and never will be a racist or a fascist band. And we will never promote ideals claiming certain people are better than others because of where they were born, by whom they were born, what God they chose to believe in or who they want to sleep with; We do not believe in any structures, paradigms or politics that only serves to divide people in to a “them” and “us”.

/Thomas

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